Plymouth Argyle vs Swindon Town Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

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Plymouth Argyle

vs

Swindon Town

KickoffTuesday 10 November 2026, 7:00pm

VenueHome Park

CompetitionEFL Trophy

Plymouth Argyle have already punched their ticket to the EFL Trophy knockout stages, but that does not mean Tuesday night at Home Park is a dead rubber. Far from it. Cleverley’s side can go top of Group 13 with even a draw, and after the momentum they have built across all competitions this season, finishing the group with maximum points would be the perfect way to head into the busy weeks ahead. For Swindon Town, there is nothing left to play for in terms of progression, but pride is very much on the line, and with a decent recent record against the Pilgrims, Ian Holloway will not want his side rolling over.

The contrast in fortunes between these two clubs right now could hardly be more stark. Plymouth are sitting fifth in League One, buzzing off a 4-0 FA Cup hammering of Alvechurch, with real belief growing around Home Park that this could be their year. Swindon are adrift in mid-table in League Two, already out of the FA Cup, and eliminated from this very competition before tonight even kicks off. The gulf in momentum is real, but the gap in the standings does not always tell the full story when these two meet.

Plymouth Argyle vs Swindon Town Match Details

This is the third and final group stage fixture for both sides in EFL Trophy Group 13, played at Home Park in Plymouth. Plymouth go into the match having already secured their place in the knockout rounds, while Swindon are out of the competition regardless of the result. The game carries genuine significance for the hosts in terms of group standings, even if the visitors are playing purely for pride.

Team News

Plymouth have a few absentees to manage but the squad is broadly in decent health, with some welcome returns adding to the depth available to Cleverley.

• Matthew Sorinola remains out with a knee injury
• Caleb Watts is still sidelined with a groin problem
• Julio Pleguezuelo is a doubt after picking up a calf issue in training
• Jack MacKenzie was rested against Alvechurch as a precaution and should come back in
• Owen Oseni featured from the bench on Saturday after a month out with an ankle issue and could get more minutes here
• Michael Baidoo returned in the FA Cup and marked it with a goal, adding a timely boost to the midfield options

Swindon are carrying a heavier injury load, with several key bodies missing for Holloway.

• Stephan Negru is away on international duty with Moldova
• Samuel Inwood is out with a backline injury
• Ben Middlemas is still working his way back from knee surgery in September
• Ollie Clarke picked up a hamstring problem against Barnet a fortnight ago and misses out
• Paul Glatzel and Anthony Munda are both unavailable with knee injuries
• Fletcher Holman is a long-term absentee with a serious hamstring tear and is not expected back until the new year
• Jaylan Pearman is a positive, returning to the squad after illness and in line for more minutes

Predicted Lineups

Cleverley will almost certainly rotate given the FA Cup tie was only a few days ago, but this is still a game Plymouth want to win, so expect a mix of returning players and those pushing for a starting spot. MacKenzie slots back in at left back, Oseni gets a chance to build fitness in a forward role, and Baidoo could feature again after his goal at the weekend gave him a real lift. The shape should be familiar, a back four with energy through the middle and width on the flanks.

Plymouth possible lineup: Storer; Edwards, Ross, MacKenzie, Rendle; Amaechi, Campbell, Roberts, Pepple; Oseni, Ibrahim

Swindon’s options are more limited given the injury list. Holloway will likely stick with a shape that offers some defensive solidity while giving the attacking players a chance to show what they can do. Pearman coming back into the fold adds some youthful energy in the middle of the park, and Hackford up top will be the man tasked with causing problems for a Plymouth defence that has been in decent form.

Swindon possible lineup: Ward; Debayo, Ball, Kirkman; Griffiths-Brown, Nichols, Butterworth, Clark; Hoare, Hackford, Pearman

Recent Form

Plymouth’s form across competitions has been genuinely impressive. Five in the first half against Crystal Palace’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, a penalty shootout win away at Newport after a draw, and then a clinical 4-0 win over Alvechurch in the FA Cup at the weekend. That is a squad that is well drilled, scoring goals, and keeping games under control. Sitting fifth in League One with only three points separating them from the automatic promotion places, there is real belief running through this club right now.

Swindon’s story is very different. Two wins from their last nine in League Two tells you everything you need to know about where their confidence levels are. They came into their EFL Trophy group and lost both games, going down 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace’s Under-21s despite taking the lead, then losing to Newport at the County Ground. Getting knocked out of the FA Cup at the first round stage to a third-tier side rounded off a rough few weeks. The numbers point to a team that is leaking momentum at an alarming rate.

The contrast in trajectory matters here. Plymouth are winning games, rotating their squad effectively, and playing with the kind of confidence that comes from a settled system. Swindon are struggling to put performances together consistently, and walking into an away fixture at a club two divisions above them while this out of form is a tough ask by any measure.

Head-to-Head Record

This is where it gets interesting, because whatever the form guide says, Swindon have a habit of making things uncomfortable for Plymouth. The Robins have won three of their previous four visits to South West Devon, including a memorable 3-1 win at Home Park back in October 2021. Looking at the broader picture, Swindon have won two of the last three meetings between the clubs across all competitions.

That record deserves respect. It suggests Swindon set up well against Plymouth and are not fazed by the occasion, even when the Pilgrims are the stronger side on paper. Cleverley will be fully aware that his side cannot switch off, especially in what could be a relatively open cup fixture with both teams using it as a chance to get minutes into squad players.

Key Stats

• Plymouth have scored nine goals across their first two EFL Trophy group games, suggesting their attack is in sharp form in this competition
• Swindon have lost both of their EFL Trophy group fixtures and are already eliminated before a ball has been kicked on Tuesday
• The Robins have won three of their last four visits to Home Park, a record that completely defies the gap between the two clubs in the football pyramid

Plymouth Argyle vs Swindon Town Betting Tips

Plymouth look the value pick on most markets here. They are the stronger side, playing at home, in better form, and chasing top spot in the group. Swindon are carrying a lengthy injury list, have already been knocked out, and are coming into this on the back of a rough run of results. The Robins’ head-to-head record keeps me from going too heavy against them, but the fundamentals point clearly in one direction.

Corners Prediction

Plymouth will carry the game, pressing forward and asking questions of a Swindon side that is likely to defend deep and hit on the break. That setup tends to generate corners for the home side, and with the Pilgrims’ attacking intent in recent weeks, backing over 9.5 corners looks like solid value.

Cards Prediction

Cup football with nothing at stake for one side can sometimes get a bit tetchy as frustrations build, and Swindon may need to be physical to stay in the game. I would not be surprised to see three or four bookings across the ninety minutes. Over 2.5 cards is worth a look.

Correct Score Prediction

Plymouth to win 2-0. The hosts should control this without necessarily cutting loose, and Swindon’s depleted squad and poor form suggests they will struggle to find a way through a League One defence that has been keeping things relatively tight. A clean sheet feels achievable for Cleverley’s backline in this one.

Both Teams To Score (BTTS) Prediction

No on BTTS. Swindon are missing several attacking options, have scored just twice across their two EFL Trophy outings, and are facing a Plymouth defence buoyed by clean sheet form in recent weeks. The numbers point to a shutout for the home side rather than a free-flowing exchange of goals.

First Goalscorer Prediction

Owen Oseni is the pick here. He is coming back from an ankle problem, looked sharp enough off the bench against Alvechurch to suggest he is hitting form again, and this is exactly the type of fixture where Cleverley gives him a run out from the start. If he is fresh and motivated, he has the movement and pace to get in behind Swindon’s makeshift backline early on.

Bet Builder Tip

Plymouth winning and keeping a clean sheet lines up neatly with their recent defensive form and Swindon’s attacking struggles, while the corners market reflects the pressure the home side should be generating throughout the ninety minutes.

Final Match Prediction

Plymouth should have enough to get this done and claim top spot in Group 13. Swindon’s head-to-head record against the Pilgrims is worth a nod, but the conditions are different now. The Robins are carrying injuries, out of form, and playing a side who are flying in League One and have genuine belief in their squad at the moment. Home Park should be a comfortable enough night for Cleverley and his players.

Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Swindon Town is the call. The hosts take control early, Swindon show some spirit but cannot find a way through, and Plymouth wrap up the group in style heading into the knockout rounds.

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