Championship Preview: Plymouth Argyle vs Sunderland - Analysis and Insights

With the International break coming to an end, it is time to once again focus on domestic fixtures, as players on international duty for their nations return to their clubs.

The Championship resumes with two sides at opposite ends of the table to each other, as Wayne Rooney’s floundering Plymouth Argyle come up against the seemingly indomitable force of Sunderland, in what should be a high octane encounter.

As kick off edges nearer, we take a deeper dive into both sides, investigating strategies, key players, lineups and absences that could have a bearing on the final result.

Plymouth vs Sunderland Recent Form

Prior to the season starting, Plymouth made the brave decision to employ Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney. Inexperienced in management, his foray into it with Birmingham only lasted 83 days, accumulating 9 defeats and just two wins.

Delighted to get started at @Argyle. Great couple of days meeting all the staff, the lads and the a few fans around Plymouth. Excited for what’s to come 🟢⚪️ #pafc pic.twitter.com/8MBE3k0p7c
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) July 4, 2024

But Argyle must have done their homework and seen ways in which Rooney could help their cause towards surviving relegation this season. However, the home side will be less than satisfied with their progress so far this season. They have only won one game in all competitions, this being a 3-0 victory against League Two side Cheltenham in the Carabao Cup.

On the flip side, their Championship form has so far been dire, and with no immediate sign of a turnaround, Sunderland will be licking their lips at the prospect of this game.

Plymouth lost 4-0 to Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day, and followed that up with two 1-1 draws against Hull City and QPR respectively. The latter result garnered them some praise, as they held on for the majority of the game with 10 men and actually finished the match with 9.

However, their form dipped in their last two games, as they lost 2-0 to Watford in the Carabao Cup and fell 1-0 to Stoke in the league. Their poor run of form leaves them in 22nd position in the league with just two points, and looking desperately for a glimmer of hope from anywhere.

Sunderland have experienced contrasting results. Top of the league with four wins from four, and the only side with a 100% record, they have backed up their pre-season billing as one of the favorites to win England’s second tier.

Beating Cardiff 2-0, Sheffield Wednesday 4-0, Burnley 1-0 with 10 men, and Portsmouth 3-1, the Black Cats have looked imperious so far. The last two results have been achieved without former star player Jack Clarke, who moved to Ipswich for regular Premier League football.

17-year-old Chris Rigg wins the ball.

19-year-old Eliezer Mayenda carries the ball and provides the assist.

21-year-old Romaine Mundle finishes it off.

Sunderland have the youngest squad in the league and have won every game so far.
pic.twitter.com/n1yIZ4qY5j
— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) September 1, 2024

However, their results following his departure are testament to the fact that Sunderland are not a one man team, and have more than ideal squad depth to conquer the Championship.

In such fine form, it is hard to see past another Sunderland victory, but the Championship is notorious for being unpredictable, and you can never entirely count out even the most obvious underdog.

Plymouth vs Sunderland Recent Meetings

10/02/2024: Sunderland 3-1 Plymouth.
25/11/2023: Plymouth 2-0 Sunderland.
18/04/2022: Plymouth 0-0 Sunderland
11/12/2021: Sunderland 2-0 Plymouth.
01/05/2021: Plymouth 1-3 Sunderland.

Plymouth vs Sunderland Team News

Sunderland boast a clean bill of health for this game, and will be boosted by the return of Dan Neil from his one game suspension, after he received two yellow cards in their close fought win over Burnley.

Dan Neil
Jobe Bellingham
Chris Rigg pic.twitter.com/0gdOSBlUP8
— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) September 1, 2024

Plymouth’s squad is also at full fitness, and they similarly have Frederick Issaka returning from a two game suspension following his straight red card in the latter stages of their draw with QPR.

Plymouth vs Sunderland Predicted Lineups

Plymouth (4-2-3-1): Hazard (GK), Edwards, Szucs, Gibson, Mumba, Forshaw, Randell, Whittaker, Gyabi, Cissoko, Hardie.
Sunderland (4-1-4-1): Patterson (GK), Hume, Alese, O’Nien, Cirkin, Bellingham, Roberts, Neil, Browne, Mundle, Mayenda.

Plymouth vs Sunderland Player to Watch

Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien has been superb in central defense for the Black Cats so far this season. With a goal difference of 10 scored and one conceded, the only reason it hasn’t been four clean sheets in a row is due to an O’Nien own goal last time out against Portsmouth.

Luke O’Nein https://t.co/w2xcuXWMqy
— Craig Fazakerley (@cfazakerley33) August 8, 2023

Even so, he is the highest rated Sunderland player so far this season according to Sofascore, with a 7.6 rating, and has looked like a Rolls Royce racing against tuk tuk’s. Only 174cm tall, his athleticism and ability on the ball make up for his lack of height, and his positioning almost always stops an attack once the ball is on the floor.

Plymouth may play a more direct game with high balls forward, but going off of his start to the season, O’Nien will continue to bury attacks with ease despite his lack of aerial prowess.