Plymouth Argyle v Portsmouth: Back the home team to triumph in League Two TV encounter

Andy Awford's Portsmouth have been poor on the road this season

David Wright expects Plymouth Argyle to continue their impressive home form in the Dockyard Derby when Portsmouth travel to Home Park for Saturday's early kick-off in League Two...

Plymouth v Portsmouth
12:05, Saturday November 15
Live on Sky Sports 1

Plymouth Argyle

The Pilgrims currently sit sixth in League Two - three points off an automatic spot - and that's owing to their impressive form at Home Park, winning six of their eight league matches there this term. In fact, the only time Argyle have lost on home soil was to leaders Wycombe Wanderers in September, and they have since gone on to win six on the trot in all competitions.

Boss John Sheridan will be calling on his formidable defence once again for the visit of their south coast rivals, shipping just nine goals this term - the lowest amount in the Football League - and conceding just three of those at home.

The hosts will be without attacking midfielder Bobby Reid however, after he was recalled by parent club Bristol City on Thursday. Reid experienced just one loss when starting for Plymouth and provided two assists during his short stay.

Portsmouth

The visitors find themselves just three points behind Plymouth in the standings, but their record away from Fratton Park this season leaves a lot to be desired. Portsmouth have won just once on the road this term and manager Andy Awford will be asking for improvements from his front line, having scored just three away goals this campaign.

Pompey have struggled all season to find any sort of form and have won just two of their last six fixtures - and those six points came at home to relegation candidates Stevenage and Carlisle.

Awford's men will travel to Home Park on Saturday on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw with Conference Premier side Aldershot Town in the FA Cup. They will also make the trip without suspended centre-back Paul Robinson, who has played in all but two league matches this term, after he received two yellow cards in the cup tie.

Match Odds

Plymouth can be backed at a very tempting 2.3611/8 to take all three points from the Dockyard Derby, with their superb form at home good enough to recover from their latest 2-0 defeat in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Coventry.

It's difficult to see Pompey leaving Home Park with anything on Saturday due to their terrible record away from home. Their weak attack would do well to break down Argyle's tight back-line, and - if you're looking for value - you can back the hosts to win to nil at 3.55/2.

To Score

Plymouth's leading goalscorer Reuben Reid has found the back of the net four times in the last six league outings, with three of those breaking the deadlock. He can be backed to score first against a leaky Portsmouth defence at 5.04/1.

Recommended Bets

Plymouth to win 2.3611/8
Reuben Reid to score first 5.04/1