Steadying the ship will be the priority for Newport County, who were almost relegated from League Two last season.
They have had a solid enough start to the new campaign but face a tough test against League One table-toppers Plymouth in this EFL Trophy group-stage clash.
Newport County v Plymouth Argyle Tips Summary
Best Bet - Plymouth Argyle to win and over 2.5 goals @ 13/10
Alternative Bet - Oliver Irow to score at any time @ 7/5
Bet Builder - Plymouth to win, Over seven corners, Shaquille Gwengwe to score at any time @ 9/1
Newport County v Plymouth Argyle Prediction
Best Bet: Plymouth Argyle to win and over 2.5 goals @ 13/10
Plymouth Argyle have made a strong start to the season under Tom Cleverley, most notably in attack, and they could simply outscore Newport County in this EFL Trophy clash.
The Pilgrims have scored 18 goals in their last six games, five of which were victories, and they racked up 2.52 expected goals in their shock 1-0 defeat to Burton in their only failure to win over that period.
Newport have been steady, if unspectacular, in their League Two campaign and currently sit 15th in the fourth tier. They have only won two of their last nine matches and could struggle to keep tabs on their free-flowing visitors.
Argyle’s heavy scoring should be the difference between these two teams and even if they shuffle the pack, the away team are fancied to come out on top in a game which also produces three or more goals.
Alternative Bet: Oliver Irow to score at any time @ 7/5
Plymouth have had a few outstanding performers in the early part of the new campaign but one who in particular has caught the eye has been Tottenham loanee Oliver Irow.
The 20-year-old has nailed down the left-sided midfield position in Cleverley’s 4-4-2 formation and has already scored three goals in six league starts for the club.
A tricky dribbler and good finisher, Irow could be too strong for this team from the division below and is fancied to get on the scoresheet once more in this cup clash.
Newport County v Plymouth Argyle Bet Builder Tip
Plymouth to win
Over seven corners
Shaquille Gwengwe to score at any time
Pays 9/1
Plymouth’s strong start to the league season was compounded by a 5-1 win over Crystal Palace Under 21s in this competition and while they may not run away with this one in the same fashion, Argyle are fancied to get the better of Newport.
They had six corners themselves in that game against Palace’s youngsters and this clash looks set to produce eight or more corner kicks.
If Newport are to have any success against this classy Plymouth side, Shaquille Gwengwe looks set to provide it. The 25-year-old has five league goals in seven starts and found the net against Grimsby in his last game. He could add to his considerable tally for the campaign.
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Key Match Stats
Plymouth have won five of their last six games
Four of Argyle’s last six matches have been wins with over 2.5 goals
Both teams have scored in five of Newport’s last six home matches
Newport have won only two of their last nine games
Plymouth were 5-1 winners in their previous group match
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
