Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Bookmakers slightly favour the visitors over the home side, raising questions about the performance of the team led by the once-great forward. Could the club really be underachieving?
Plymouth Argyle
Wayne Rooney, who turned 39 on October 24, has yet to instil his prolific scoring traits in his team, with just 0.9 goals per match. Recent games have been particularly disappointing, not just in terms of results but also in the number and quality of chances created. Against Millwall (0:1), they managed just 6 shots (2 on target) and an xG of 0.47. In their loss to Cardiff (0:5), they registered 9 shots (2 on target) with an xG of 0.63. The massive deficit against the Welsh club unfolded after the direct red card to Ibrahim Sissoko. This is a significant blow to Rooney's setup. The Dutch player is the club's top scorer with three goals and will be sorely missed in the clash with Preston North End.
Preston North End
Preston North End have been struggling to secure away wins. While draws against Middlesbrough and Burnley are commendable, they fall short of expectations. Nevertheless, their recent form should be viewed positively, with two wins, four draws, and one loss in their last seven games. If they learn to maintain a 2:0 lead, as they had but lost in their recent match against Norwich City, their prospects will brighten considerably.
Plymouth Argyle vs Preston North End Prediction
The teams hadn't faced off for over a decade, but since Plymouth Argyle's promotion to the Championship last season, they met. Preston North End emerged victorious in both encounters, winning 2:1 at home and 1:0 away. A similar result seems plausible this time, but we'll opt for a slightly more cautious approach with a neutral handicap on the visitors.
