Preston vs. Plymouth Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 26 April 2025 - bettingexpert

Preston-Plymouth

Championship

Fulltime

1 - 2

(HT 0-1)

Preston North End host Plymouth Argyle at Deepdale in the penultimate round of the Championship. Sitting in 18th place with 49 points, Preston aim to secure their safety with a win, while bottom-placed Plymouth, with 43 points, desperately need three points to keep their survival hopes alive.

Despite recent struggles, Preston’s home advantage and the return of Emil Riis Jakobsen, who is their top scorer with 10 goals, could prove pivotal. Plymouth have shown some resilience, winning three of their last five matches. Both teams have defensive issues – with no clean sheets in their last five games – making it likely that we’ll see multiple goals.

Our match prediction: Over 2.5 goals. Both sides have struggled defensively, and an open game with plenty of scoring opportunities is expected.

This match alone won’t decide their fates, but it will be crucial for both teams as they strive to end their season on a high note.

Preston vs Plymouth Prediction & Betting Tip

For this Championship clash, we recommend betting on "Over 2.5 goals." This tip has been chosen based on the following match insights and facts:

Both teams have had defensive struggles recently, making it likely that we’ll see multiple goals.
Plymouth have consistently found the net, and Preston tend to concede often.
Recent head-to-head encounters indicate potential for goals, with both teams scoring regularly against each other.

Preston vs Plymouth Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Over 2.5 goals	1.83

Both teams have recorded no clean sheets in their last five games, increasing the chances for multiple goals.
Plymouth’s top scorer, Ryan Hardie, and Preston’s Emil Riis Jakobsen have been consistent goal-scoring threats.
Overall, Preston have scored in 5 consecutive matches, highlighting their attacking capability despite defensive vulnerabilities.

Preston vs Plymouth Odds

Both sides are set for a gripping showdown at Deepdale in Championship round 45, and it’s a fascinating encounter from a betting perspective.
Here’s a snapshot of the betting odds:

Preston vs Plymouth Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Preston	1.83
Draw	3.51
Plymouth	4.20

Despite Preston being the favourites with odds of 1.83, Plymouth at 4.20 shouldn’t be overlooked given their recent performances.
The draw is priced at 3.51, reflecting the potential for a tight contest.
The odds suggest a closely fought match with opportunities for value bets, especially with both teams struggling defensively. Don’t miss out on the action!

Preston Team Analysis

Preston Recent Performance

Recent Form: DDLLL
Preston’s recent run of form has been quite challenging, reflecting their precarious position in the Championship standings. Let’s break down their last five outings:

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Hull	Preston	2025-04-21	Championship	2-1 (Loss)
Preston	QPR	2025-04-18	Championship	1-2 (Loss)
Leeds	Preston	2025-04-12	Championship	2-1 (Loss)
Preston	Cardiff	2025-04-08	Championship	2-2 (Draw)
Preston	Stoke	2025-04-05	Championship	1-1 (Draw)

Preston has been struggling defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five games. They have managed to score an average of 1.20 goals per match, indicating that they’ve been somewhat effective in offensive play but need to shore up their defense.
In their defensive struggle, Preston has conceded crucial goals late in games, often in the 76-90 minute interval. This vulnerability might be something the coaching staff under Paul Heckingbottom will need to address urgently.
Despite their challenges, the side has shown resilience by scoring in each of their last five matches, an encouraging sign as they prepare to face Plymouth.

Preston Key Players

Preston’s key player to watch out for is undoubtedly Emil Riis Jakobsen, their top scorer with 10 goals this season. Paired up front with Milutin Osmajic, who has shown promise, they can be a formidable duo against Plymouth’s defense which has struggled this season.
In midfield, Ben Whiteman is pivotal, acting as the engine of Paul Heckingbottom’s setup. His ability to control the tempo and execute decisive passes will be crucial in breaking down Plymouth’s backline.
Defensively, Jordan Storey and Liam Lindsay will need to be at their best to keep Plymouth’s top scorer, Ryan Hardie, at bay.

Expected lineup for Preston:

Goalkeeper: David Cornell
Defenders: Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, Lewis Gibson
Midfielders: Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, Ben Whiteman, Robert Brady, Jayden Meghoma
Forwards: Milutin Osmajic, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen

Preston Suspensions & Injuries

Preston are currently dealing with a few injuries that might impact their performance.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Jack Whatmough	Calf injury	Early May 2025
Alistair McCann	Leg injury	Early May 2025
Brad Potts	Hamstring injury	Early May 2025
Freddie Woodman	Ankle injury	Out for season
Ryan Ledson	Muscle injury	Early May 2025

These injuries primarily affect their defensive and midfield lines. The absence of Freddie Woodman in goal is particularly significant and could weaken their backline. Jack Whatmough and Alistair McCann’s injuries further strain the team’s defensive depth. The manager, Paul Heckingbottom, will need to adjust his strategies accordingly to compensate for these absences.

Preston Tactics and Formation

Preston Tactical Breakdown:

Formation: 3-5-2
Key Forwards: Milutin Osmajic and Mads Frøkjær-Jensen
Midfield Quintet:
- Right midfielder: Kaine Kesler-Hayden
- Central midfielders: Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, Ben Whiteman, Robert Brady, and Jayden Meghoma
Defensive Trio: Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, and Lewis Gibson

Paul Heckingbottom has been relying on a 3-5-2 formation, hoping to solidify a midfield that can support both defense and attack.

Despite not keeping clean sheets in their last five matches, Preston has shown resilience in scoring, especially as they tend to score late in games, particularly in the 76-90 minute window.

This formation helps them maximize wing play and provide substantial support to their forwards, Osmajic and Frøkjær-Jensen, who are crucial in converting opportunities into goals.

Plymouth Team Analysis

Plymouth Recent Performance

Recent Form: WLWLW
Plymouth has displayed a mixed bag of results in their recent outings. They have bounced between wins and losses, reflecting some inconsistency. However, they do have the ability to find the net, averaging 1.60 goals in their last 5 matches, although defensive sturdiness remains an issue with no clean sheets during this span.

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Plymouth	Coventry	2025-04-21	Championship	3-1 (Win)
Middlesbrough	Plymouth	2025-04-18	Championship	2-1 (Loss)
Plymouth	Sheffield United	2025-04-12	Championship	2-1 (Win)
Swansea	Plymouth	2025-04-09	Championship	3-0 (Loss)
Plymouth	Norwich	2025-04-05	Championship	2-1 (Win)

Despite their fluctuations, Plymouth shows flashes of strong offensive performance but needs to tighten up defensively to improve their standings from 24th position.

Plymouth Key Players

Expected lineup for Plymouth:

Goalkeeper: Conor Hazard
Defenders: Kornél Szűcs, Victor Palsson, Julio Pleguezuelo
Midfielders: Bali Mumba, Nikola Katic, Adam Randell, Muhamed Tijani
Forwards: Darko Gyabi, Mustapha Bundu, Ryan Hardie

Plymouth will be leaning heavily on the services of their top scorer, Ryan Hardie, who has found the net 10 times this season. His form and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities will be crucial. Darko Gyabi and Mustapha Bundu will also play a vital role in creating chances, while Bali Mumba’s work rate on the flanks will be essential in both offensive and defensive duties.

Key individual battles to watch include Hardie against Preston’s central defenders and the midfield tussle involving Adam Randell against Ben Whiteman. These duels could determine the game’s flow and, ultimately, the result.

Plymouth Suspensions & Injuries

Plymouth will be dealing with several injuries that could impact their performance in this crucial match.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Brendan Galloway	Hip injury	Out for season
Maksym Taloverov	Knee injury	About a week
Matthew Sorinola	Thigh injury	Mid May 2025

These injuries will significantly affect Plymouth’s defensive solidity, especially with the prolonged absence of Brendan Galloway. The absence of Taloverov and Sorinola further depletes their options, putting more pressure on the available players to step up. Their defensive structure might face additional challenges, which could open up opportunities for Preston.

Plymouth Tactics and Formation

Plymouth’s Tactical Breakdown:

Formation: 3-4-3
Key Forward: Ryan Hardie
Midfield Duo: Nikola Katic, Adam Randell
Defensive Structure: Three centre-backs – Kornél Szűcs, Victor Palsson, Julio Pleguezuelo
Notable Strategy: Focus on counter-attacking and wing play

Plymouth approaches the game with a typical 3-4-3 formation, relying on the attacking prowess of Ryan Hardie, who has netted 10 goals this season. In the midfield, Katic and Randell serve as the engine, providing both defensive cover and creative support. Defensively, they line up with a trio of centre-backs, though recent injuries could test their resilience. Expect Plymouth to emphasize counter-attacks and exploiting the wings, where Bali Mumba and Muhamed Tijani can create opportunities. Understanding their defensive vulnerabilities, the team aims to quickly transition from defense to attack, making the most out of rapid breaks.

Preston vs Plymouth Head-to-Head Statistics

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Plymouth Argyle	Preston North End	2024-10-26	Championship	3-3 (Draw)
Plymouth Argyle	Preston North End	2024-03-16	Championship	0-1 (Loss)
Preston North End	Plymouth Argyle	2023-09-16	Championship	2-1 (Win)
Plymouth Argyle	Preston North End	2012-08-08	Club Friendlies	0-1 (Loss)
Plymouth Argyle	Preston North End	2010-03-06	Championship	1-1 (Draw)