Northampton vs Plymouth Argyle Predictions

It’s not exactly been a pleasing start to the new campaign for Northampton, who’ve won just one of their five league games. By losing three of the other four, the Cobblers find themselves towards the foot of the table. Having seen his side lose on the road last weekend, manager Keith Curle will be hoping that the return home sparks a turnaround in fortunes.

Whichever way we look at it, concluding that a lack of goals is blighting Northampton at present is inevitable. The Cobblers come into match-day six having scored an average of just 0.6 goals, which simply isn’t good enough. If they’re to have any hope of challenging for the top six, which doesn’t seem likely on early evidence, then they must improve going forward.

Keith Curle’s side have not only scored just three goals in five games, failing to score twice, but they’re averaging a rather weak 1.11 expected goals for. Such a number does suggest that their play has warranted a few more goals, but it certainly doesn’t point towards attacking quality.

At the other end of proceedings, Northampton have been far from terrible, but since they’re not doing much going forward, they’re still giving away more than they’re creating. The Cobblers have surrendered an average of 1.25 expected goals, while they’ve conceded five in five. Additionally, Curle’s men are struggling to outshoot their opponents, as an average shot difference of -2.6 suggests.

In contrast, Plymouth are flying after five games. The Pilgrims, who are desperate to return to League One at the first time of asking, currently sit second in the table, as they’ve won three, drawn one and lost one. Last time out, Ryan Lowe’s men got the better of Walsall in convincing fashion, winning by three goals to nil.

While Northampton have struggled for goals, Plymouth have found the net on a regular basis, scoring nine goals in five matches, while they’re also averaging a reasonable 1.38 expected goals for. Such a figures doesn’t exactly suggest that the Pilgrims are menacing beyond belief, but it does tell us that they’re better at forging opportunities than the Cobblers, while they’re clearly performing better in terms of end-product.

Fortunately for the hosts, Plymouth have given lots away in their two travelling matches, despite what results suggest. Keeping this in mind, ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ stands out at the prices.

On their travels, Lowe’s men have looked good going forward, scoring three in two, averaging 1.4 expected goals for. However, despite conceding just once in two away games, Plymouth have given lots away. They’ve surrendered an average of 7.00 shots on target, as well as a rather chunky average of 2.04 expected goals. Northampton have been poor at the back, conceding three in two at home, but they did deliver their best attacking performance when last in action at this venue, creating 1.95 expected goals for, so they shouldn’t be ruled out offensively.

All things considered, backing the goals to arrive in no small number makes plenty of appeal, while ‘Correct Score’ punters are pointed in the direction of a 2-2 draw. Plymouth look the better of the two teams, while they’ve certainly got the tools to do some damage at Sixfields, though their defence has looked dodgy on the road, which makes a relatively high-scoring draw stand out at the prices.