Plymouth Argyle face crucial Easter double-header in League One play-off push

Plymouth Argyle face a crucial Easter weekend double-header as they continue their push for the League One play-off places.

The Greens, who currently ninth in the table with 59 points from 39 games, host Bolton Wanderers at Home Park on Friday (3 April) before travelling to Barnsley on Easter Monday (6 April).

READ NEXT: Easter Monday bus change to fix pass issue for Bere Peninsula travellers

With seven games remaining, Argyle remain firmly in the hunt for a top-six finish, sitting just two points outside the play-off places and in strong recent form.

They head into the Easter fixtures unbeaten in five matches, winning four of those, and have scored 11 goals across their last five outings.

Head coach Tom Cleverley said: “You always want to have things to play for at the top end at this stage of the season. There’s seven huge games to go. Friday is a game we’re all looking forward to.”

Bolton Good Friday test at Home Park

Argyle’s first test comes against a Bolton Wanderers side currently third in the table and nine points off automatic promotion.

The visitors arrive with a strong recent record and have won the last two meetings between the sides, although Argyle lead the overall head-to-head in recent years.

Cleverley said: “They’re a very consistent team. They like to dominate the ball and create chances, maybe not convert as many as they’d have liked. They’re a high-quality team with at least two good players in every position.”

Despite the challenge, Argyle’s home form and attacking momentum will give them confidence of closing the gap on the play-off places.

ABOVE: Argyle's trip to Bolton earlier this season ended in a two goal defeat (Image: PPAUK)

Easter Monday trip to Barnsley

Attention then quickly turns to the trip to Oakwell on Easter Monday, where Argyle face another side with ambitions of climbing the table.

Barnsley sit mid-table but remain difficult to beat, having drawn three of their last four matches. However, they have not kept a clean sheet in 23 games.

Argyle, meanwhile, have been strong on the road this season, ranking third for away form in League One.

The Greens will also be looking to improve their recent record against Barnsley, who have won three of the last four meetings between the sides.

ABOVE: Barnsley defeated the Pilgrims 1-3 on the opening day of the season (Image: PPAUK)

Team news returns positive

Argyle have been handed a timely boost ahead of the busy weekend, with several players returning to fitness.

The Greens did not play last weekend, with their away trip to Bradford City re-arranged due to international call-ups, providing some much needed recovery time for the Pilgrims.

Cleverley confirmed Julio Pleguezuelo has returned to training, while Matty Sorinola is expected to be available for the trip to Barnsley.

Lorent Tolaj is also back in contention after returning to training, and Caleb Watts is fit and available for selection.

“ We’re looking very good,” Cleverley said. “We’re getting stronger.”

What’s at stake

With just seven games remaining, the Easter fixtures could prove decisive in shaping Argyle’s season.

Victory over Bolton would significantly boost their play-off hopes, while a positive result at Barnsley would maintain momentum heading into the final stretch.

Anything less, however, could see the gap to the top six widen at a crucial stage of the campaign.