Plymouth vs Burton: Crucial League One Showdown This Weekend

Relegation Battle at Home Park

Plymouth Argyle faces Burton Albion at Home Park on Sunday, 4 January 2026, in a League One fixture that could prove pivotal for both clubs’ survival hopes. Having been relegated from the Championship last summer, Plymouth could face the humiliating prospect of a second consecutive relegation as they sit only three points clear of 22nd-placed Rotherham United. Burton Albion have accrued an identical number of points as them with 27, but with a game in hand.

Recent Form and Team News

Since winning thrice in mid-December, the Pilgrims have lost once – a 4-1 thumping at the hands of Reading – before a pair of consecutive draws to Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage, the latter coming on New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, Burton have endured back-to-back defeats to Wigan Athletic and Reading, following an impressive 5-1 victory over Northampton Town on Boxing Day. The visitors’ recent struggles have dragged them back into the relegation battle.

Head-to-Head History Favours Plymouth

The Pilgrims are unbeaten against Burton in their last eight meetings. They’ve won their last two fixtures too, but have never beaten them thrice in a row. Most significantly, the last meeting between the two teams ended with Plymouth Argyle winning 4-0 at Burton’s Pirelli Stadium earlier this season. Plymouth could complete a league double over them for the first time in history.

What’s at Stake?

A win would see the Pilgrims climb above their opponents on Sunday and out of the danger zone. For Burton, securing points away from home has proven challenging, having lost their last three away fixtures against Plymouth. Plymouth proved they were able to get important points against two playoff-chasing clubs, so this, along with home advantage, should give them a slight edge in this clash. With both teams desperately seeking three points to ease relegation fears, Sunday’s encounter promises to be a tense and fiercely contested affair at Home Park.