Plymouth will take on Barnsley on Saturday, 2 August, as part of the opening set of League One fixtures for the season.
The hosts are back in League One following their relegation from the Championship at the end of last season, and will be desperate to secure an immediate return to the second tier.
Barnsley, meanwhile, will also be hoping to be in the promotion picture this season after a disappointing 12th-placed finish last season.
As part of our opening set of League One betting tips, check out our Plymouth vs Barnsley prediction.
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Plymouth vs Barnsley prediction: A goal glut at Home Park
Key Stats
- Both teams have scored in each of Barnsley's last ten League One matches.
- Both teams have scored in three of Plymouth's four pre-season friendlies.
- More than three goals have been scored in four of Barnsley's last six League One matches.
Correct score prediction: Plymouth 3-1 Barnsley
Barnsley were one of the most entertaining teams to watch at the back end of last season, but not always for the right reasons. Those final games were Conor Hourihane's first matches in management, but there is no indication that he wants to tighten things up, which should mean more open Barnsley matches to start the new season.
Pre-game odds and win probability: A tough match to call
- HOME: 6/5 (2.20) – 45.5%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Plymouth vs Barnsley odds are illustrative of how closely matched these two teams are on paper. Ladbrokes have made Plymouth the narrow favourites, with home advantage being the key, giving them a 45.5% chance of victory. Meanwhile, Barnsley have been given just a 33.3% chance of walking away with all three points.
Visit our latest football tips page for more free predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Honours even
Plymouth and Barnsley have only met on two occasions in the last five years, which makes those two fixtures the only two worth analysing. Across those two meetings in 2022 and 2023, both teams enjoyed one win each, with both of those victories going the way of the team playing at home.
England League 1 11/03/23
Barnsley
Plymouth
England League 1 30/07/22
Plymouth
Barnsley
England League 1 22/04/19
Plymouth
Barnsley
England League 1 02/10/18
Barnsley
Plymouth
Plymouth preview: Looking to bounce back
It's a fresh start for Plymouth this season in a new division, with a new manager and several new players. The departure of Ryan Hardie sparked a string of summer signings, including Aribim Pepple. The Canadian striker is expected to make his competitive debut for the club this summer and is the man being trusted to score the goals to take the club back up.
Predicted lineup: Hazard (GK), Edwards, Szucs, Wiredu, MacKenzie, Ibrahim, Boateng, Amaechi, Watts, Paterson, Pepple
England Championship 03/05/25
L
Leeds
2
Plymouth
1
England Championship 26/04/25
W
Preston
1
Plymouth
2
England Championship 21/04/25
W
Coventry
1
Plymouth
3
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Middlesbrough
2
Plymouth
1
England Championship 12/04/25
W
Sheff Utd
1
Plymouth
2
Barnsley preview: Injuries and ineligibility make things awkward
Barnsley are starting the season with several players unavailable for selection, which is hardly the ideal start. Josh Early and Marc Roberts have been ruled out with injury problems, while one of their summer signings, Nathan Ogbeta, is unavailable due to the fact he is playing against his parent club.
Predicted lineup: Smith (GK), De Gevigney, Shepherd, Barratt, Gent, Connell, Phillips, Kelly, Farrugia, Cleary, Jalo
England League 1 03/05/25
W
Reading
2
Barnsley
4
England League 1 26/04/25
L
Shrewsbury
2
Barnsley
1
England League 1 21/04/25
D
Peterborough
1
Barnsley
1
England League 1 18/04/25
L
Leyton Orient
4
Barnsley
3
England League 1 12/04/25
W
Bolton
1
Barnsley
4
Player to watch: Aribim Pepple
If Plymouth are to get back out of League One at the first of asking, then they are going to need someone who can score at least 15 league goals this season. Whether new signing, Aribim Pepple, is capable of that at this stage of his career remains to be seen. Pepple only managed to score five goals for Chesterfield in League Two last season, but he only joined in January.