Championship leaders Leeds United will try to seal the league title when they travel to Home Park for Saturday’s final game of the season against Plymouth Argyle.
Meanwhile, the fixture represents the final game of Plymouth’s two-year Championship stay, with their relegation all but sealed due to their poor goal difference.
Match preview
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Plymouth have attempted to extend their survival bid for as long as possible, having won four of their last six matches.
However, their relegation was all but confirmed by Luton Town’s 1-0 win over Coventry City just shortly before Plymouth took to the pitch for their away meeting with Preston North End.
The Pilgrims at least managed to move off the foot of the table with a 2-1 victory at Deepdale, courtesy of goals from Mustapha Bundu and Callum Wright.
However, Miron Muslic was despondent after the game as he conceded his team were consigned to League One, knowing that it is effectively impossible for his team to beat Leeds by 13 goals and hope Luton and Hull City both lose their final games of the season.
While they may know their fate, the Pilgrims will still want to give a good account of themselves against the league leaders, especially as they have the chance to claim a fourth consecutive home win, after beating Norwich City, Sheffield United and Coventry in their last three games at Home Park.
The hosts will hope home advantage can be the difference maker, as they attempt to beat Leeds for the first time since clinching a 1-0 victory in April 1989.
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Having already secured promotion, Leeds are looking forward to returning to the Premier League after spending the past two seasons in the second tier.
Before they head to the top flight, the leaders will want to conclude a successful campaign by winning the Championship title ahead of fellow promoted side Burnley, who are currently in second place on goal difference.
Leeds will carry significant momentum into the final day of he season after recording five consecutive victories, including sizeable victories in their last two home outings against Stoke City and Bristol City.
After cruising to a 6-0 victory over the Potters, Daniel Farke‘s side went on to claim a 4-0 win in Monday’s clash against the Robins, thanks to Largie Ramazani‘s brace and goals from Ao Tanaka and Wilfried Gnonto.
After making it nine league games without defeat, Leeds are now three points away from hitting the 100-point mark for the season, and a victory on Saturday would almost certainly secure them the Championship title, although failure to secure the win would leave them relying on a slip-up from Burnley.
Leeds will ultimately take great encouragement from their head-to-head record against Plymouth, having won each of the last five league meetings between the two sides, including a commanding 3-0 victory in November’s reverse fixture.
Team News
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Plymouth remain without the injured duo of Brendan Galloway and Matthew Sorinola, while Leeds loanee Darko Gyabi is ineligible to face his parent club.
Defender Julio Pleguezuelo was forced off at half time against Preston, making him an obvious doubt for the final game of the season.
Pleguezuelo’s fellow defender Nikola Katic will hope to prove his fitness in time for the weekend after he sustained a dead leg in last Saturday’s win.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Pascal Struijk and Sam Chambers, while Isaac Schmidt is a doubt after missing Monday’s clash against Bristol City due to a knee issue.
Defender Junior Firpo and winger Dan James are struggling with hamstring issues and face a battle to prove their fitness in time for the final game of the season.
Midfielder Joe Rothwell is set to return to the matchday squad, although Farke has confirmed that he will not be ready to start against Plymouth.
Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Hazard; Szucs, Palsson, Talovierov; Edwards, Houghton, Randell, Mumba; Hardie, Wright; Bundu
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Byram; Gruev, Tanaka; Gnonto, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe
We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-3 Leeds United
Leeds will travel to Home Park in high spirits after netting 10 goals in their last two matches, and we believe they will produce another free-scoring display to clinch the Championship title with a relatively comfortable victory against Plymouth.
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