The 35th and final EFL Cup first-round tie takes place at Home Park on Monday evening, when Plymouth Argyle take on Exeter City.
While Plymouth missed out on a place in the League One play-offs by just two points last season, Exeter suffered relegation to League Two after finishing in 21st position.
Both clubs will be eyeing promotion challenges in the 2026/27 campaign but before they can get those quests started, they have the small matter of an EFL Cup first-round tie.
Plymouth have made it past the opening hurdle in six of the last seven editions of this competition, while Exeter have been knocked out at this stage in four of the last six seasons.
Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City Tips Summary
Best Bet - Plymouth Argyle to win and both teams to score @ 7/4
Alternative Bet - Alex Mitchell to be booked @ 3/1
Bet Builder - Owen Oseni anytime goalscorer, over 2 goals, over 3 cards & over 9 corners @ 6/1
Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City Prediction
Best Bet: Plymouth Argyle to win and both teams to score @ 7/4
Although Exeter managed to take four points against Plymouth last season, Argyle were the superior of the two when it came to the end of the campaign and the two clubs start this term in different divisions.
The Grecians were relegated to League Two and their main aim this season will be earning an instant return to England's third tier, so an EFL Cup run is low down on their list of priorities.
Even if they did fancy a run in this competition, they have fallen at the first hurdle in four of the last six editions and they could be in for another early exit when they head to Home Park, a stadium where they have not won since 2015.
Exeter will offer a threat coming forward, though, and they look capable of getting on the scoresheet, as they achieved in their last five matches of the 2025/26 season.
Plymouth conceded 33 goals at home last term, only Barnsley shipped more, but the Pilgrims did manage to score 75 goals in the entire season to give them the third-best attack.
Four of Plymouth's last five wins came with both teams scoring and these two sides can put on an entertaining show.
Alternative Bet: Alex Mitchell to be booked @ 3/1
Defender Alex Mitchell spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Plymouth from Charlton Athletic and he was a regular first-team fixture, making 48 appearances.
The 24-year-old, who is an imposing figure in defence at 6ft 3in, was not one to shy away from a tackle and he picked up eight cautions for the Pilgrims.
Mitchell has returned to Home Park, this time on a permanent basis, but his campaign could begin with a booking.
Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City Bet Builder Tip
Owen Oseni anytime goalscorer
Over 2 goals
Over 3 cards
Over 9 corners
Pays 6/1
Plymouth forward Owen Oseni scored 10 goals in the 2025/26 campaign and he has been in impressive form in pre-season, netting three times.
Seven of Plymouth's last eight home games of the 2025/26 season produced at least three goals, while four of Exeter's last five matches went over the 2.5-goals mark.
There were five yellows in October's meeting between these two clubs before they combined for one more caution in April's clash.
Plymouth's matches last season averaged 11.41 corners, which was just ahead of Exeter's average of 10.10.
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Key Match Stats
Plymouth ended last season on a six-game unbeaten run
The Pilgrims have lost just one of their last seven home matches (W5 D1)
Exeter were relegated from League One last season, finishing 13 places and 24 points worse off than Plymouth
The Grecians had the third-worst away record in the division, collecting just 18 points
Exeter were unbeaten against Plymouth last season, winning at home before drawing at Home Park
Exeter's last win at Home Park came back in 2015
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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.
