An intriguing encounter awaits in League One on Monday night as one of the lesser-known rivalries in English football takes to our screens. The third tier’s 7th and 9th-placed sides battle it out at Home Park in what they call the Dockyard Derby down on the south coast.
While the naming of the rivalry is relatively new, it’s a mutual dislike that runs back centuries in these two port cities, who have often been in direct competition for lucrative shipbuilding contracts. They’re in direct competition in the most literal sense on Monday and you can hardly separate these two with a piece of paper.
Monday 7.45pm: Plymouth v Portsmouth
Sky Sports Football
Portsmouth currently occupy 7th spot as this game be closes out the latest round of fixtures. They’ve got 20 points from 11 games with six wins, two draws and three losses. Argyle are 9th but have played a game less than Pompey and they’ve got two fewer points as well. They’ve played 10, won five, drawn three and lost two. Historically it’s been pretty even between these two on the pitch and both clubs have come back from the brink financially in recent times, too. Maybe the reason these two don’t get along is that they’re so similar?
They’re both in good form, too. Argyle have won three, drawn one and lost one over the last five, while Pompey have won four and lost one. Plymouth have been very strong at home and remain undefeated, whereas Portsmouth have been having joy on the road. It all adds up to a fascinating encounter that’s very tough to call. But, we’ll have a good go with our three best bets.
The Draw
The draw has landed four times in the last six meetings between these two, with three of those coming down in Devon. However, Plymouth’s top scorer Luke Jephcott is away on international duty with the Wales under-21 squad and he’s been absolutely vital for them so far this season.
Portsmouth have been among the goals and have the league’s top scorer in John Marquis with seven goals among their ranks. Argyle’s home form is exceptional, they’ve won five and drawn one of their six games and, as good as Portsmouth are going forward, we reckon that undefeated run will continue on Monday with a lively Draw.
Over 3.5 Goals
This should be proper EFL blood and thunder stuff. While Plymouth’s firepower is diminished by the absence of Jephcott, they are good from set pieces though and will still pose a threat from a number of avenues. Pompey’s attacking threat is no secret among watchers of this division.
This is a meeting of League One’s second and joint fourth top scorers, while Argyle have let in the third most in the top half. Over 3.5 Goals has landed in three of the visitor’s last five games and two of the Pilgrims’ last five, so looks well worth taking a punt on at very appealing odds.
John Marquis to Score First
With Jephcott out there’s only one way to go in terms of a first goal scorer in this game. John Marquis is League One’s top scorer with seven goals from 11 matches this season. He’s just started hitting his stride and likes to get his team off to good starts.
John Marquis was the First Goalscorer in their last League One game and has pounced first on two other occasions this season as well. For a little bit of added incentive, he’s on spot kicks as well. If you want to turn these selections into a Same Game Multi you’ll get whopping odds of around 60/1, but you can play it safer with Over 2.5 goals and Marquis Anytime at around 18/1.
Plymouth v Portsmouth tips summary:
The Draw
Over 3.5 Goals
John Marquis To Score First
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