Plymouth Argyle - Leeds United predictions and free betting tips [06/02/2024]

Today as part of the second leg of the English Cup 1/16 finals, "Plymouth" will host "Leeds United" on their home turf. The winner of this match will face either "Chelsea" or "Aston Villa" in the next round.

Plymouth

In the current English Cup "Plymouth" first overcame "Sutton" from League 2 (3:1), then drew with "Leeds" (1:1) and is forced to replay the 1/32 finals - now on their field. Currently, "pilgrims" occupy the 16th position in the Championship league table, eight points away from the drop zone and nine from the 6th spot, which gives the right to participate in the playoffs. After five rounds without a victory (four draws and one defeat), the green-whites achieved long-awaited victories over "Cardiff" (3:1) and "Swansea" (0:1) last weekend. Foster's charges have a great opportunity to reach the ⅛ final of the English Cup for the first time since the 2006-07 season; since then they were eliminated from the tournament in the fourth round three times. Last year the hosts suffered a fiasco in the first round from modest "Grimsby Town".

The coaching staff is without their main goalkeeper Mike Cooper due to injury, but there are no other absentees this week. Since the start of the Championship, the team has both conceded and scored many goals (5th in terms of attacking prowess, 19th in terms of defensive solidity). Morgan Whittaker (23 years old) is currently the top scorer in the Championship with 16 goals, complemented by 6 assists. Scottish forward Ryan Hardy (10 goals and 4 assists) is also in great form and will feature from the start. This winter, "Plymouth" strengthened its squad with the acquisitions of defenders Sorinola (Union Saint-Gilloise), Lino Sousa (Aston Villa) and Ashley Phillips (Tottenham), as well as midfielders Forshaw (Norwich), Devine (Tottenham) and Gyabi (Leeds). On the flip side, the team lost centre-backs Gillespie (Charlton) and Early (Wycombe), midfielder Butcher (Wycombe) and winger Wright (Bradford).

Leeds

"Leeds" could not overcome "Plymouth" in a home match (1:1) and is therefore forced to have a replay away. In the previous round, Daniel Farke's charges easily overcame "Peterborough" (0:3), playing in League 1. Generally, "peacocks", who were relegated from the Premier League last summer, are expectedly fighting for promotion in class. Therefore, the visitors are ranked 3rd in the Championship league table and have been in great form in recent weeks, with five victories. Last weekend, they claimed a victory against "Bristol City" (0:1) - with Wilfried Gnonto scoring the deciding goal. Thanks to these results, "Leeds" is just one point behind second-placed "Southampton", although they have played one more match.

In general, the visitors have only been eliminated once in the last four 1/16-final Cup ties. "Peacocks" are still missing key players Struijk and James, backup goalkeeper Darlow and experienced Dallas - all of them are injured. It's worth noting that many team members played in the Premier League last season, including French goalkeeper Meslier and defenders Rodon, Ampadu and Junior Firpo. Patrick Bamford is likely to once again be the striker, with assistance from winger Summerville (12 goals and 7 assists) and French playmaker Ratter (5 goals and 9 assists). In the absence of Daniel James (10 goals and 6 assists), Italian Gnonto, who scored last weekend, should make the start.

Head-to-Head

Leeds is going to Home Park with a 10-match unbeaten streak in head-to-head encounters against Plymouth, which last managed to overcome "peacocks" during the 1988-89 campaign.

Match prediction for Plymouth – Leeds United

Plymouth will have fervent home support and is a tough contestant on their home ground. At the same time, "Leeds" is in excellent shape and achieved six victories in their last seven matches in all competitions. Both are keen to go as further as possible in the national cup fixture. Therefore, I risk betting on a draw.