Plymouth v Watford: Argyle appeal on the Asian Handicap

• Plymouth command respect at Home Park

• Watford's dubious road record

• Argyle appeal as home underdogs

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Plymouth v Watford
Friday November 22, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports

Plymouth opt for a rest and refresh

Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney believes it's important his squad take a rest before a 'brutal' period of Championship action. The Pilgrims had five players away representing their countries during the international break with the rest of the squad given time off ahead of a run of 11 league games in 44 days, starting with Friday night's fixture against Watford.

Argyle snatched a point away at Derby on their most recent outing as Adam Randell's deflected free-kick gave the group a share of the spoils at Pride Park. A scrambling save by Daniel Grimshaw from Jerry Yates' long-range effort preserved only a second away point of the season for Plymouth, ensuring the Pilgrims moved out of the relegation places.

Speaking post-match, Rooney said: "It was a good professional performance after going a goal down so early on. To concede so early on we knew it would be a tough game, but I thought we did well to get back into the game. We tried to play our way in and we got back into the game. We had to show character to stay in it, so I'm pleased with the point."

Cleverley talks up Watford

Watford chief Tom Cleverley sounded a warning to Championship rivals when suggesting his Hornets side have "not even hit close to top gear yet" following their 1-0 home victory over Oxford before the international break. That Vicarage Road success has pushed Watford back into the top-six, with the Hertfordshire group winning eight of their opening 15 fixtures.

However, Cleverley highlighted areas of improvement, saying: "We haven't found consistency in first halves and we've not found consistency away. I think there is more to come out of this squad, and me as the coach needs to keep demanding it. I don't feel we are 'there' yet - we know there is plenty of potential and it's my job to stay on top of that."

A second-half goal by Vakoun Bayo settled matters against Oxford, his fifth goal in three games, enhancing Watford's already exceptional return on home soil. But Cleverley received a booking in the Vicarage Road encounter meaning the Hornets supreme will now serve a touchline suspension for the Friday night trip to Devon.

Watford unappealing away favourites

Plymouth hold a slight edge in head-to-head encounters with Watford this century - the Pilgrims boast a W4-D5-L3 supremacy against the Hornets during that sample, returning W2-D3-L1 in Home Park meetings. Last season the duo played out back-to-back draws with Argyle's last triumph against the Hornets arriving here way back in 2009.

Plymouth 2.962/1 have picked up 14 (88%) of their 16 Championship points at Home Park, continuing their strong home form since returning to the second-tier (W14-D7-L9). However, performance data ratings suggest Wayne Rooney's side are overachieving with the Pilgrims ranked inside the bottom-six for Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Points (xP).

Watford 2.245/4 have also built their campaign upon an impressive home record. The Hornets have posted W2-D0-L6 on their travels with the visitors failing to score in half of their away days thus far. Tom Cleverley's team also sit inside the bottom-six for away xP as Watford have allowed a huge 2.05 xG per-game on average outside of Vicarage Road.

Back Argyle on the Asian Handicap

Plymouth's only home league defeat under Wayne Rooney arrived back in August and the Pilgrims have a proven knack for raising their game at their Devon base. Despite returning poor underlying metrics, Argyle command respect at Home Park and are well worth supporting with a 0 & +0.5 Asian Handicap start at 1.9310/11 on Friday night.

This selection has paid-out in six of Plymouth's first seven league showdowns this season and returns profit should the hosts avoid defeat in front of their own supporters. Watford have caught fire sporadically under Tom Cleverley, though the Hornets have still suffered six league losses in their eight road trips, conceding multiple goals in six of eight away days.

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