Plymouth play hosts to Exeter in another installation of the Devon derby but the competition for which they are locking horns is the EFL Cup. This game is the last match of the first round of the EFL cup and it is also the first competitive fixture that both teams are playing this season.
Plymouth are in League One but Exeter will be looking to get back to topflight after being relegated to League Two last season.
Despite the demotion, we do not expect this encounter to be a walkover for Plymouth. Exeter may have their struggles but derby conditions and the rivalry between these two teams have shown that there are no favorites.
Exeter last four games had 2 losses, a win, and a draw while Plymouth would be the most confident of both teams as they have had 5 wins from 6 games this preseason with no losses.
Plymouth vs Exeter Form
Plymouth come into this game with the better form of both teams and they have had a very good preseason so far. They have played six games and they won five of those matches with the other game ending in a draw.
They started with a 4-1 win against Plymouth Parkway before beating Bath City 3-0. Plymouth also won against Torquay United and Truro City with both games ending 1-0.
Their only draw was a 0-0 game against Bristol City before they ended their preseason games with another 4-1 win against Tavistock.
Plymouth have scored 13 goals from these six matches while they only conceded two goals and that should give them some confidence before this game.
Their form from the end of last season was also good as they were unbeaten in their final six League One matches.
Exeter have not had the same results during preseason and they have only won one of their last four games.
They lost 1-0 against Truro City before they got a 2-0 win against Weston-super-Mare. Exeter then lost 2-1 against Torquay United before playing a 1-1 draw with Bristol City in their final game.
The draw against Bristol City would give Exeter some confidence going into this derby as they were able to create chances and also compete well against a Championship team.
Plymouth vs Exeter Team News
Plymouth will be without Michael Baidoo for this game as he has a hamstring injury and he is expected to be out for a number of weeks.
Jack MacKenzie is also not expected to be available yet while Caleb Watts is still working his way back from injury.
Joe Edwards could be part of the squad and that would be a boost for Plymouth going into their first competitive game of the season.
Plymouth also signed Will Evans from Mansfield Town and the striker could make his debut against Exeter. Evans scored 10 goals in all competitions last season and he gives Plymouth another option in attack.
For Exeter, Jayden Wareham will be one of the players Plymouth will have to watch closely. The striker scored 19 League One goals last season and he remains one of their biggest attacking threats despite their relegation.
Jack Fitzwater is also expected to have an important role in the Exeter defence after being made captain.
Plymouth vs Exeter Predicted Lineups
Plymouth could start with Cooper in goal while Harding, Mitchell, Ross and Hartridge could make up the defence.
Curtis, Ibrahim, Boateng and White are expected to be options in midfield while Pepple and new signing Evans could lead the attack.
Plymouth predicted lineup: Cooper; Harding, Mitchell, Ross, Hartridge; Curtis, Ibrahim, Boateng, White; Pepple, Evans.
Exeter could start with Bycroft in goal with Turns, James, Fitzwater and Woodhouse in defence.
Cummins and Dean could play in midfield while Cox, Cole and Gordon could support Wareham in attack.
Exeter predicted lineup: Bycroft; Turns, James, Fitzwater, Woodhouse; Cummins, Dean; Cox, Cole, Gordon; Wareham.
Plymouth vs Exeter Prediction
Plymouth are the team with the better form going into this game and they also have home advantage which should help them.
They finished eighth in League One last season while Exeter were relegated after finishing 21st and that also shows the difference between the two teams going into the new season.
However, this is a derby and Exeter have already shown that they can make things difficult for Plymouth.
Plymouth did not beat Exeter in either of their League One meetings last season. Exeter won 2-0 at home before both teams played a 2-2 draw at Home Park.
That makes this game more difficult to predict than their preseason form suggests.
Plymouth should still have enough quality to win the game but Exeter should be able to make it competitive.
Prediction: Plymouth 2-1 Exeter.
Also, we expect both teams to score in this fixture as the game feels a bit open attack-wise.