Match preview

Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday vs Plymouth Argyle

Sheffield Wednesday seek a first win under Dave Challinor, while fifth-placed Plymouth Argyle arrive on a four-match unbeaten run. Preview and 1-1 prediction.

Published: 13 November 2026 · 07:08 WIB

Match Preview

Sheffield Wednesday host Plymouth Argyle in League One, with the home side looking to halt a winless spell and secure their first victory under new manager Dave Challinor. The match offers a test of Wednesday’s promotion ambitions against a Plymouth team currently fifth in the table.

Wednesday sit ninth, two points outside the play-off places, while Plymouth have collected 23 points from 14 matches and are three points ahead of their hosts. A win could draw Wednesday level with the visitors, but Plymouth have an opportunity to strengthen their position near the top of a closely packed division.

Form and Recent Results

Wednesday began the campaign strongly, taking 18 points from their first nine league games, but have since gone four league matches without a win and six across all competitions. After losses to Notts County and Doncaster Rovers ended Henrik Pedersen’s tenure, interim manager Matt Hamshaw oversaw league draws with Cambridge United and Blackpool.

Challinor’s first two games were cup ties: Wednesday lost 2-1 after extra time to Oldham Athletic, with Davis Keillor-Dunn scoring, then suffered a 4-0 EFL Trophy defeat to Accrington Stanley with a heavily rotated side. The Owls now return to league action looking to translate their promotion hopes into a change in results.

Plymouth have won seven and lost five of their 14 league games. Consecutive October defeats were followed by a 3-2 away victory over Cambridge United and a goalless draw with Reading. They have since beaten Alvechurch in the FA Cup and edged Swindon Town 2-1 in the EFL Trophy, Seb Campbell scoring the late winner. The Pilgrims arrive unbeaten in four matches across competitions.

Team News and Possible Line-ups

Wednesday are expected to remain without goalkeepers Joe Lumley and Ashley Maynard-Brewer, leaving Connal Trueman to deputise. Reece James, Liam Cooper, Louie Barry, Tyler Onyango, Ali Al-Hamadi and Mason Burstow may also still be unavailable; Billy Mitchell has missed the last three games.

Keillor-Dunn, who has scored in his last two appearances, is an important attacking option. Callum Slattery could return after being rested in midweek, while Harry Gray, Jamal Lowe and Kieran Morrison are also competing for places.

Plymouth’s only reported injury concern is Joe Edwards. Will Evans and Aribim Pepple, who have scored five and eight goals respectively this season, are expected to return to the starting attack after the midweek rotation. Xavier Amaechi could join them in a front three, although Oliver Irow and Ronan Curtis are also candidates; Tyreeq Bakinson and Harvey White may reunite in midfield.

Possible starting line-ups: Sheffield Wednesday — Trueman; Santos, Weaver, Bernard; Valery, Bannan, Heskey, M Lowe; Slattery; Keillor-Dunn, J Lowe. Plymouth Argyle — Storer; Harding, Pleguezuelo, Mitchell, Hartridge; Amaechi, White, Bakinson, Irow; Pepple, Evans.

Tactical Factors

The teams approach the fixture with contrasting momentum: Wednesday need to end their league drought, while Plymouth have put their October setbacks behind them and can draw on recent cup wins. The hosts’ home advantage at Hillsborough is relevant, but the available information does not establish a particular home or away performance trend.

Plymouth’s returning forwards give Tom Cleverley options in attack, while Wednesday will look to Keillor-Dunn’s current scoring form and the possible return of Slattery. With the sides separated by only three points, the contest could be shaped by whether Wednesday find greater sharpness under Challinor or Plymouth maintain their recent resilience.