Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City begin their competitive seasons with a Devon Derby at Home Park on Monday night, with a place in the second round of the EFL Cup at stake.

The two clubs enter the new campaign in contrasting circumstances. Plymouth narrowly missed the League One playoffs last season and have enjoyed an excellent summer, while Exeter are preparing for life back in League Two following relegation and a difficult end to the 2025-26 campaign.

Derby matches rarely follow the script, though, and Exeter took four points from their two meetings with Plymouth last season.

Plymouth looking to turn momentum into promotion challenge

Missing the playoffs by only two points was particularly frustrating for Plymouth given how strongly they finished the season.

Tom Cleverley’s side went unbeaten across their final six league matches and lost only once in their last 12, but the damage caused earlier in the campaign ultimately left them just outside the top six.

There has been little sign of that momentum disappearing during the summer. Plymouth won five of their six pre-season matches, with a goalless draw against Championship side Bristol City the only fixture they failed to win. They have not suffered a defeat in any competition since losing narrowly to Bolton Wanderers in early April.

The squad has also undergone significant strengthening, with seven new arrivals providing Cleverley with greater options ahead of another promotion push.

Will Evans is the latest addition after completing his move from Mansfield Town and could make an immediate debut on Monday. Wes Harding and Alex Mitchell have also returned permanently following successful loan spells, although Michael Baidoo is expected to miss around three months with a hamstring injury.

Cleverley may rotate with Plymouth’s League One opener approaching, but the importance of the Devon Derby makes wholesale changes unlikely.

Exeter begin rebuilding after relegation

Exeter arrive at Home Park facing a very different challenge. Four consecutive seasons in League One ended with relegation last term after a campaign that unravelled badly following Gary Caldwell’s departure for Wigan Athletic.

Former Grecians boss Matt Taylor returned in an attempt to steady the club, but one victory from his 13 league matches was not enough to prevent the drop. Exeter also failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 of those games, highlighting one of the biggest problems Taylor must address before their League Two campaign begins.

Pre-season has offered limited evidence of an immediate turnaround. The Grecians recorded only one victory from four friendlies and suffered defeats against non-league Truro City and Torquay United, hardly ideal preparation for a derby away to a Plymouth side that has been difficult to beat for several months.

Taylor does at least have new options available. Four summer signings could make their competitive debuts, with Taylor Perry pushing for a place in defence and former Walsall forward Josh Gordon expected to feature in attack. Jayden Wareham remains at the club and should also be involved prominently in the final third.

Exeter can draw confidence from last season’s meetings. They beat Plymouth 2-0 at St James Park before earning a 2-2 draw at Home Park, meaning the Pilgrims failed to win either Devon Derby.

Verdict

A local derby adds an element of unpredictability, particularly in the first competitive fixture of the season, but Plymouth have far more reasons for optimism heading into Monday night.

Cleverley’s side finished last season strongly, have strengthened during the summer and produced an excellent set of pre-season results. Exeter, meanwhile, are still attempting to recover from a relegation campaign and have shown few signs of finding their best form during the summer.

The Grecians should make this competitive, but Plymouth’s stronger squad and home advantage ought to be enough to secure progression.

Tip

Plymouth Argyle to win.