Preview: Brentford vs Plymouth Argyle – prediction, team news, lineups

Premier League team Brentford Welcome championship fighters Plymouth Argyle to the Gtech Community Stadium for one FA Cup Third round tie on Saturday afternoon.

The two teams met head-to-head for the first time since February 2011, when the Bees beat the Pilgrims 2-0 in League One.

Game preview

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Brentford ended a run of five games without a win in all competitions as they emerged as a dominant side 5-0 win away to Premier League side Southampton last weekend – their first away win in the league this season for the tenth time in a row.

Thomas Frank described his team’s win over the Saints as one of the “biggest moments” of his six-and-a-half-year tenure with the Bees, who are in 11th place on the season Top placement and just six points behind the top seven.

One of Brentford’s standout players this season has been an influential attacker Bryan Mbeumowho scored a brace against Southampton, increasing his goal tally in the Premier League to 13. The Cameroon international has scored in 10 games this season, which can only be bettered Mohamed Salah (14) and Alexander Isaac (11).

Brentford will now turn their attention to the FA Cup and will be looking to avoid a third successive third round exit after losing 3-2 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 2023 replay last season and losing at home to West Ham United lost 0-1.

The Bees, who are on a 10-game unbeaten home run in all competitions before losing their last two, head into the third round against Plymouth and have never beaten the Pilgrims in nine previous attempts in the FA Cup (D3 L6). , a little more You will be happy to change on Saturday.

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Since the departure of Wayne Rooney As head coach, Plymouth have started 2025 undefeated, although their winning streak in all competitions has now been extended to 11 games – November 5th was the last success (1-0 at home to Portsmouth).

A 2-2 draw with Bristol City on New Year’s Day, where a point was salvaged thanks to a 91st minute equaliser, was followed by a goalless draw at Stoke City last weekend and they remain firmly anchored at the club’s bottom Championship tablealbeit only three points short of safety.

Chairman of Plymouth Simon Hallett hopes to announce a new head coach in the “very near future” due to interest in the former Cercle Brugge coach Miron Music. Now coach of the first team Kevin Nancekivell and club captain Joe Edwards will continue to lead the team.

Before preparing for three straight home games in the Championship, Plymouth will attempt to progress from the third round of the FA Cup for the fourth time in the last five seasons and to do so they will need to beat Brentford for the first time since December 2003 (2-0 in the first league).

However, the Pilgrims go into Saturday’s competition having not played any of their last 16 FA Cup games against quality opponents since a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in February 1984, a year in which they reached the semi-finals won the final.

Brentford form (all competitions):

Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):

Team news

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Brentfords Ethan Pinnock (paralyze), Aaron Hickey (Thigh), Kristoffer Ajer (Ankle), Fabio Carvalho (Bar), Ben Mee (Muscle), Josh Dasilva (Knee), Gustavo Nunes (back) and Igor Thiago (Infection) all remain unavailable for selection.

However, left-back Rico Henry is in the running for his first senior appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in September 2023, although he is not yet ready to play 90 minutes.

Keane Lewis Potter – who extended his Bees contract until 2031 on Wednesday – has played at left-back in recent weeks but could be moved into an advanced role at wide wing, while others like Hakon Valdimarsson, Kim Ji-soo, Yehor Yarmolyuk And Vitaly Yanelt All starts could be handed over.

As for Plymouth, Joe Edwards, Muhammad Tijani And Mustapha Bundu Everyone is still out due to injury Ryan Hardie will be assessed after missing the last game with a shoulder problem.

Callum Wright is available for selection after serving a three-game ban and the attacking midfielder could return to the starting XI at the expense of Rami Al Hajj.

The Pilgrims announced the signing of the Poland international on loan Tymoteusz Puchacz on Thursday and have confirmed their new number 17 has been registered in time for his debut on Saturday.

Brentford’s possible starting lineup:
Valdimarsson; Roerslev, Ji-soo, Van den Berg, Henry; Jensen, Janlt, Yarmolyuk; Too bad, Wissa, Lewis Potter

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Danger; Szucs, Pleguezuelo, Galloway; Sorinola, Randell, Gyabi, Puchacz; Wright, Whittaker; Obafemi

We say: Brentford 4-1 Plymouth Argyle

Brentford are clear favorites to win this weekend. Taking into account the hosts’ impressive home form as well as Plymouth’s leaky defense – the worst in the EFL, having conceded 53 goals – we can expect the Bees to secure a safe place in the fourth round.

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