For the second weekend running, Argyle are heading into it as League One leaders. With Huddersfield Town the latest visitors to Home Park tomorrow, Tom Cleverley’s side will have to overcome a stern test if they are to remain at the summit. But after the high of last week’s late, late win over AFC Wimbledon, the vibes are good in PL2.
Argyle vs Huddersfield
🏆 League One
🗓 Saturday 17 October 2026
🕒 3.00pm
🏟 Home Park
It was this fixture last season that really had me believing that Argyle could sneak into the play-offs. Goals from Owen Dale, Bim Pepple and Owen Oseni overturned a 1-0 half-time deficit to clinch a fourth successive win at Home Park back in March, sending the Pilgrims above their opponents and into seventh — one point off the top six.
It wasn’t to be, but after a slightly slow start to this term, Cleverley’s boys have taken that late-season form into the current campaign and sit at the top of League One. We are in the privileged but pressured position of knowing that a victory keeps the Pilgrims there, regardless of what happens elsewhere.
Huddersfield will be a tough nut to crack though, and Martin Drury’s side, currently three points behind Argyle in fourth, have had a week to stew on snatching a draw from the jaws of victory at home to Sheffield Wednesday, having been 2-0 up with 87 minutes on the clock.
“We’re all really excited by this weekend,” Cleverley told Argyle TV. “It’s two top teams and had they not conceded in the very last minute last weekend it would literally be first against second and we’re all excited by that.
“Thinking back to last year, your Luton at home, your Huddersfield at home, Cardiff at home, there was a different feeling in the air from our supporters than maybe, with all respect, to some different games like last week — a 12.30pm kick-off doesn’t help the atmosphere.
“We really have to be the catalysts but I think Saturday could be special inside [Home Park] and we need to make it as difficult for the opposition as possible.”
What threat will the Terriers pose?
Led by head coach Drury, the Terriers are fourth in League One with 16 points from nine games, but surrendering that two-goal lead at home to Sheffield Wednesday last week means they are now three points behind the Pilgrims.
Town have lined up in a 3-4-3 for the majority of their games and they are one of four teams to have lost only once this season, with their only league defeat coming at newly-promoted Bromley a month ago.
“They have not given up much in terms of opportunities against or goals against this season, [they’re a] really solid team,” Cleverley said. “System-wise, it could be anything. They started in a back four at the start of the season and changed to a back three. Style-wise, I think they would come under the effective football team. They’re not trying to win any beauty contests, a bit like ourselves, but they’re trying to be as effective in every phase as possible, which is exactly how I see the game.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for what Martin’s doing there and done there, I’d say they’ve probably gone to the next level from last season, and it’ll be a really good challenge. But, I’m sure all of those things are being said by the opposition and we’re hoping for a great intensity and atmosphere, and may the best team win.”
Town’s star man so far this season has been 25-year-old winger Derensili Sanches Fernandes, whose eight goal involvements is the highest in League One. The Dutchman has four goals and four assists in nine appearances, and his average rating of 7.48 on WhoScored is the highest of the Huddersfield squad.
Joe Taylor is the Terriers’ top scorer with six goals in eight games, and we can expect to see the familiar face of Bali Mumba. Part of Steven Schumacher’s title winners of 2023, Mumba has worked his way back into the Huddersfield line-up after he was sent off in their opening-day win over AFC Wimbledon.
Will Pepple come straight back in?
The biggest selection issue ahead of tomorrow’s game is whether Bim Pepple will come back into the side after missing the win over AFC Wimbledon.
Cleverley was unwilling to risk the Canadian last weekend after he picked up a hamstring injury earlier in the week, but the Argyle boss confirmed yesterday that Pepple trained that morning and is available to face Huddersfield.
Cleverley said he probably wouldn’t manage the full game, so if he does return to the line-up then it’s likely he would be replaced later on.
As for who he replaces, it would probably be a straight swap for Caleb Watts, who deputised up top in Pepple’s absence last week and scored Argyle’s opening goal.
Meanwhile, skipper Joe Edwards is set to miss the game after picking up an injury against AFC Wimbledon, but Cleverley is optimistic that he’ll be able to feature against Stevenage in midweek. The smart money would be on Matty Sorinola taking his place in the line-up, but the other option is Wes Harding moving back to the right and Jack MacKenzie coming in on the left.
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Matt Friday
Founder, The Argyle Angle