Fine margins could be huge at Home Park
League One currently has 13 teams embroiled in a relegation battle and two of them meet at Home Park on Saturday with the stakes getting higher all the time.
The tension is rising
It would have been hard to imagine Argyle being mid-table back in October or at least to those looking at the league table without knowing the history of Derek Adams’ side. Those in the know, on the other hand, would have been waiting to see how the Pilgrims fared in January before placing any bets on the Green Army dropping into League Two.
This is because Plymouth have a certain pattern of starting badly before going on an incredible run in the new year, one that almost got them a play-off spot last season despite being in the relegation zone at Christmas.
This season has been no different though with only three points separating the Pilgrims from a relegation spot despite them being in 12th place there is still no room for complacency.
Bristol Rovers have been having a similar renaissance under new manager Graham Coughlin. The former defender has gone back to basics and it has worked a treat as the Gas have picked up 10 points from the last 12 and have only lost twice in the last 15 games.
Stingy Rovers
It is crazy to think that a side sitting just two points above the relegation zone can have an even goal difference but that is exactly what Bristol Rovers have.
In fact, they have been so stingy at the back that the safest place to take an afternoon nap on a Saturday is probably behind Rovers ‘keeper Jack Bonham.
No side outside the top five in League One have conceded less goals than Bristol Rovers which is remarkable considering their precarious position in the table.
Jack Bonham has kept 13 clean-sheets this season for the Gas with seven of those coming in the last 13 league games.
Defence is the best form of attack
Rovers have not conceded a goal in their last four games and the defensive unit, marshalled by star man Tom Lockyer, looks well drilled and very assured. If you don’t concede goals you don’t lose games of football and this fact has seen the Gas pull themselves out of the bottom four even though they have not been prolific at the other end.
Argyle have also tighten up at the back, conceding just seven goals in their last eight games. They, unlike Rovers, have more going forward with the likes of Freddie Ladapo and Ruben Lameiras leading the charge but they will find goals hard to come by this weekend.
Betting tip
This game will be decided by fine margins as neither side will want to give away much in such a tight relegation battle. With safety in reach match-ups of this nature can often be rather tense and turgid.
With neither side in generous mood and with the stakes so high, backing under 1.5 goals at odds of 11/5 looks not a bad bet at all.
