‘Why not?’ – Plymouth Argyle boss Miron Muslic makes bold Sheffield United claim

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Plymouth Argyle lost 3-0 to Swansea City in midweek, adding further pressure to their clash with Sheffield United tomorrow.

Both sides had results go against them in a tough round of midweek games in the Championship and need to find points for different reasons at both ends of the table as quickly as possible.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
17	PortsmouthPortsmouth	41	12	9	20	48	64	-16	45
18	Oxford UnitedOxford United	41	11	12	18	42	60	-18	45
19	Hull CityHull City	41	11	11	19	40	49	-9	44
20	Stoke CityStoke City	41	10	14	17	42	54	-12	44
21	DerbyDerby	41	11	9	21	42	52	-10	42
22	CardiffCardiff	41	9	15	17	45	65	-20	42
23	LutonLuton	41	10	10	21	37	62	-25	40
24	PlymouthPlymouth	41	8	13	20	42	81	-39	37

We had a look into predicting the points needed to survive recently. However, Plymouth are still rock bottom of the league and that would only shift with a crucial win in one of their most difficult remaining games of the relegation run-in.

Miron Muslic did not face Sheffield United and Chris Wilder earlier in the season when they lost 2-0 at Bramall Lane, with Wayne Rooney taking charge. It was an encouraging performance but another away defeat for the team with the worst away form in the division.

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Miron Muslic claims his Plymouth side will beat Sheffield United

Despite sitting 21 places and 46 points apart after 41 games, and with Plymouth continuing to occupy a place inside the Championship’s bottom three for most of the season, Muslic is confident of inflicting further misery on the Blades.

That’s despite recent history favouring the visitors, with the Pilgrims having lost each of their last five matches against the Blades in a row, while also losing seven of their last eight meetings with Sheffield United in all competitions.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Muslic said: “I think we’re going to win this game, because our boys will surprise us again with a good and strong performance.

“It would actually fit the pattern of here, nowhere, and again here. So why not?”

“We have to win against Sheffield United. I know the difficulties of this task but it’s possible. Millwall showed this.

“There is also pressure for them. Our Argyle shirts will have it but also the shirts from Sheffield United, so why not?”

Wilder, meanwhile, has explained how the game could be a ‘tough watch’ again after the reverse fixture in South Yorkshire. Plymouth will need more of the rub of the green if they are to take anything tomorrow lunchtime.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United desperate to hit Championship target as worrying record could see them fail at Premier League return

Plymouth’s home form offers a glimmer of hope against Sheffield United

Pundits are predicting an away with for Wilder and co. but their defeat at Oxford United proves why they must be at it from minute one against the Championship’s basement side.

Sheffield United’s wobble could be added to with the right gameplan, and Plymouth have beaten the likes of Norwich City and West Brom at Home Park in recent months.

It’s a must-win for both, and essentially a must-not-lose for Plymouth more so than the Blades. Given the strange and unpredictable nature of the Championship, you wouldn’t be all that surprised if they claimed something against Wilder’s men.

The fourth-worst home record doesn’t paint the full picture, with Plymouth having won 28 of their 37 points on home turf, and having won more games than they have lost so far, too. If ever there was a time to pull it out of the bag, it’s here.