Ahead Of The Game

IN the first of a new regular series, Liam Spence takes a look at the week ahead...

Argyle capped off “clean-sheet October” with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Town and will be looking to extend their unbeaten league run to six when they meet third-placed Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium, on November 1.

The Pilgrims’ rich vein of form has seen them climb into the play-off spots, and victory at Burton would see us leapfrog the Brewers and reach the dizzy heights of the automatic promotion spots – if Bury and Shrewsbury slip up.

Despite Argyle having the highest number of clean sheets in the Sky Bet Football League (nine from 15 games) and not conceding in over 500 minutes, they have lost to Burton in their last four meetings with the Brewers winning 1-0 in each of the last three.

Argyle’s most recent triumph over Burton was in January 2012, which saw former captain Simon Walton score a second-half brace, with his second goal being a dramatic 89th-minute penalty to cancel out Calvin Zola’s 73rd-minute equaliser.

John Sheridan’s men have a big chance of putting this right with Burton failing to maintain their positive start to the season; the Brewers' most recent hiccup coming away at Stevenage through an unfortunate 84th-minute own goal from Ian Sharps.

Argyle’s visit to the Staffordshire club will reunite them with a familiar face in Alex MacDonald, who spent two loan spells in 2012 at the Theatre of Greens – making 35 appearances and scoring six goals. Albion also boast Damien McCrory, a former Argyle youth graduate, among their ranks.

We will find out on Monday night who our opponents in the first round of the FA Cup will be. You can read more about the draw and our potential opponents here.

On Tuesday night, an Argyle XI will travel to Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Premier Division club Exmouth Town in the Edenvale Turf Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup. Tickets are available on the gate, and will cost £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.