Plymouth Argyle and Leeds United have revealed their lineups for the May 3, 2025 Championship match at Home Park. Plymouth Argyle opts for a 3-4-2-1 formation while Leeds United counters with a 4-2-3-1 setup.
Both teams field strong starting XIs with tactical flexibility on their benches.
Starting formations and captains
Plymouth Argyle lines up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Joe Edwards wearing the captain’s armband. The three-man defense provides solidity while allowing their wing-backs to push forward. Leeds United employs a more traditional 4-2-3-1 system under captain Ethan Ampadu, focusing on controlling the midfield and utilizing pace on the wings.
The contrasting formations set up an interesting tactical battle. Plymouth’s three center-backs will face Leeds’ lone striker, while Leeds’ double pivot in midfield aims to control possession against Plymouth’s midfield four.
Plymouth Argyle’s lineup analysis
Conor Hazard starts between the posts for Plymouth. The defensive trio of Szucs, Edwards, and Talovierov provides a solid foundation, with Palsson and Mumba operating as wing-backs. This back five can transform into a back three when attacking.
The midfield features Adam Randell and Muhamed Tijani, who will be tasked with both defensive duties and supporting attacks. Caleb Roberts operates in a more advanced role. Up front, Ryan Hardie leads the line with Mustapha Bundu providing support from slightly deeper positions.
Plymouth’s bench offers defensive reinforcements in Ogbeta and Katic, while Grimshaw provides goalkeeper cover. Attacking options include the promising young talent Freddie Issaka and Michael Baidoo.
Leeds United’s lineup breakdown
Karl Darlow gets the nod in goal for Leeds. The back fouor consists of Bogle and Byram as full-backs with Ampadu and Rodon forming a solid center-back partnership. This defensive unit has been one of the Championship’s most reliable.
In midfield, Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev form a double pivot, providing both defensive cover and distribution. The attacking quartet features Joel Piroe, Brenden Aaronson, Manor Solomon, and Wilfried Gnonto – a formidable combination of creativity, pace, and finishing ability.
Leeds’ bench shows their squad depth with Illan Meslier as backup goalkeeper. Patrick Bamford provides an experienced striking option, while Largie Ramazani and Mateo Joseph offer fresh attacking legs if needed.
Tactical implications and key matchups
| Team | Formation | Captain | Key Players |
|——|———–|———|————-|
| Plymouth Argyle | 3-4-2-1 | Joe Edwards | Hardie, Bundu, Randell |
| Leeds United | 4-2-3-1 | Ethan Ampadu | Gnonto, Aaronson, Piroe |
The tactical battle will likely center around Leeds’ possession versus Plymouth’s counter-attacking threat. Plymouth’s wing-backs Mumba and Palsson face a challenging task against Leeds’ wide attackers Solomon and Gnonto.
In midfield, the duel between Plymouth’s Randell and Tijani against Leeds’ Tanaka and Gruev could determine who controls the game’s tempo. Leeds’ technical quality in the final third with Aaronson operating behind Piroe presents a significant threat to Plymouth’s back three.
Plymouth will look to Ryan Hardie to hold up play and bring Bundu and Roberts into attacking positions. Leeds’ center-back pairing of Ampadu and Rodon must stay alert to Plymouth’s quick transitions and forward runs from midfield.