Match Pack: Plymouth Argyle v Watford

• Plymouth Argyle v Watford
• Sky Bet Championship
• Home Park
• Monday January 1, 2024, 3pm KO
• Light blue third kit

• Referee: Robert Madley
• Assistant Referees: Craig Taylor and Blake Antrobus
• Fourth Official: Sunny Singh Gill

A competitive 0-0 draw in August in Plymouth’s first away game back in the Sky Bet Championship saw the Pilgrims put up an impressive fight under Steven Schumacher.

Now with Director of Football Neil Dewsnip in interim charge with first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell alongside him, Plymouth sit in 18th place, seven points above the relegation zone and seven away from the Hornets in 10th.

Winless in their last three but having scored six in that time, the Devon-based outfit will look to kick the New Year off on a high at Home Park.

• Plymouth Argyle haven’t scored in their last three league games against Watford (D1 L2), with the reverse fixture this season ending goalless.

• Plymouth Argyle have won four of their last five league games played on New Year’s Day (L1), all at Home Park.

• Watford have lost three of their last four league games on New Year’s Day, winning the other 2-1 against Wolves in 2020.

• This is the Hornets’ first away league game on New Year’s Day since 2008 – they won 3-0 at Southampton under Aidy Boothroyd.

Vakoun Bayo is suspended for the trip to Home Park after his red card in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Stoke City.

Rhys Healey will travel with the squad to Plymouth after recovering from a minor muscle strain picked up in training. Jamal Lewis and Jeremy Ngakia remain absent through injury, with a call to be made on Ken Sema after the Sweden international missed the Potters clash.

Head Coach Valérien Ismaël confirmed post-match that Edo Kayembe will be part of the travelling squad after conversations with DR Congo’s federation, with the midfielder jetting off to the African Cup of Nations afterwards.

Hosts Plymouth missed defender Saxon Earley and goalkeeper Michael Cooper in their defeat to Southampton on Friday, but were bolstered by the return from concussion of striker Ryan Hardie, who scored from the bench.

Valérien Ismaël, Watford Head Coach:

“It’s time to recover and get all the last energy we’ve got in our tank. We will recover properly and travel early so the players can rest and be ready for the first game of the year.

“The schedule is relentless, not only for our players but throughout the Championship. All the teams are starting to lose players. It’s very demanding for the players. As soon as we get a sign from one of the players, we need to act very carefully and take them out.”

Neil Dewsnip, Plymouth Argyle Director of Football/Interim Head Coach:

“[The games] just keep rolling, it’s a real challenge physically and mentally for the players and for the staff. The one thing I know about our group of players and our staff is that they’re outstanding with their mentality and will be ready.”

Overall:

Won: 20
Drawn: 16
Lost: 32

Last Six:

August 2023: Watford 0-0 Plymouth Argyle (Championship)
April 2010: Watford 1-0 Plymouth Argyle (Championship)
September 2009: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Watford (Championship)
March 2009: Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Watford (Championship)
September 2008: Watford 1-2 Plymouth Argyle (Championship)
March 2008: Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Watford (Championship)

George Reilly secured a spot in the FA Cup final as Watford narrowly beat Plymouth 1-0 in April 1984 at Villa Park.