Argyle face tough lunch-time test as high-flying Cardiff travel to Home Park

Plymouth Argyle face one of their sternest tests of the season on Saturday (21 February) lunch-time as promotion-chasing Cardiff City travel to Home Park.

The visitors arrive top of Sky Bet League One and unbeaten in the 2026 calendar year, underlining the scale of the challenge awaiting Argyle, who currently sit 12th in the table.

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Argyle have won two and drawn one of their last five matches but have also suffered three defeats, including a 4-1 home loss to Lincoln City. 

Cardiff, meanwhile, have put together a strong run that includes victories over Barnsley, Stevenage, Exeter and Bradford, alongside draws against Wycombe and Stockport.

The Bluebirds are averaging 1.94 goals per game this season and conceding less than one per match. 

Striker Yousef Salech leads their scoring charts with 12 goals, while Ollie Tanner has contributed nine assists. 

Goalkeeper Nathan Trott has recorded 11 clean sheets, the joint-most in the division.

Argyle will look to leading scorer Lorent Tolaj, expected to start after a recent period off through injury, who has 12 goals this campaign.

In his absence Aribim Pepple has been in stellar form, scoring in five of his last seven, as has January signing Ronan Curtis, who notched a goal and an assist mid-week in a man-of-the-match performance away to Leyton Orient.

History between the two sides suggests a competitive and feisty fixture. 

Across the last 10 meetings in league competition, Cardiff have edged the record with five wins to Argyle’s three, alongside two draws.

The most recent encounters have produced mixed fortunes for the Pilgrims. 

Argyle claimed a 3-1 home win in January 2024 and earned a 1-1 draw at Home Park in February 2025. 

However, Cardiff ran out convincing 5-0 and 4-0 winners in their two most recent home fixtures against the Greens, including a League One meeting early this season in August 2025.

Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off offers Argyle the chance to test themselves against the division’s pacesetters and potentially close the gap on the play-off places, while Cardiff will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run and strengthen their grip at the summit.

With both sides boasting attacking threats and a bumper crowd expected, with Cardiff travelling in their numbers down to Plymouth, Home Park could be set for an intriguing contest.