Plymouth Argyle travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon in a top of the table clash in League One.

The Pilgrims are three points clear at the summit of the division, but Wednesday have a game in hand in second place, putting them in a strong position to kick on towards automatic promotion if they can avoid defeat at Hillsborough.

Darren Moore's men were the top two chasers for the majority of the first half of the season as Ipswich Town and Argyle took up the automatic promotion spots, but some impressive consistency in the last few months has seen the Owls become the favourites to lift the league title.

Argyle won the reverse fixture 2-1 thanks to Sam Cosgrove's 90th minute finish and will be hoping to continue their exceptional record against the best sides in the third tier when they arrive in Yorkshire.

EFL player turned journalist and pundit Adrian Clarke explained where Argyle can hurt Wednesday on Matchbook's Weekend Football Podcast.

He said: "I've been to Hillsborough a few times this season, they make the pitch massive, Sheffield Wednesday, they get the wing backs wide, they want to play an expansive game when they have the ball.

"Which is great, but it also leaves them a little bit vulnerable down the middle of the pitch when they lose the ball and Plymouth have got some really good playmakers in there.

"Finn Azaz stands out, they've got good striking options, I think this is going to be a good game, Plymouth are unbeaten against top half teams, they've scored in 13 of 14 against top half teams this season."

Argyle have lost just one of their last 24 matches in the third tier, and that will fuel belief amongst the camp that they can deny the Owls, who will go into Saturday's match as heavy favourites.

The Verdict

 

 

The expectations at Hillsborough are enormous after missing out on promotion in the play-offs last season, Wednesday supporters are demanding a top two finish this term, and the financial backing that Moore has received should enable him to deliver exactly that.

However, with a draw potentially being a very good result for Argyle in maintaining their position above the Owls, Ipswich and Derby County, there is a chance that they frustrate the home crowd.

It is not in Steven Schumacher's nature to set up the visitors to contain Wednesday, but they could be, as Clarke points towards, dangerous in transition, as has been a key strength for them at times this season.