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Preview: Salford City vs. Port Vale - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's EFL Trophy clash between Salford City and Port Vale, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Since this article was published, this game has been postponed.

Salford City will play host to Port Vale in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, with both sides battling for a place in the quarter-finals.

The Ammies will attempt to claim a third consecutive victory, while the visitors will look to bounce back after a run of three straight wins was brought to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers.


Match preview

Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke applauds fans after the match on January 8, 2022© Reuters

Salford have won their last two matches in all competitions after they followed a 1-0 win against Bradford City in the EFL Trophy with a 3-0 victory over Gillingham in their most recent outing, before Saturday's meeting with Walsall was postponed.

The Ammies played out a goalless first half against Gillingham before Theo Vassell opened the scoring in the 54th minute, and further goals from Ryan Watson and Callum Hendry helped Salford end a four-game winless run in League Two.

They are currently two points adrift of the top seven, but they will put their playoff push on hold to focus on Tuesday's EFL Trophy game.

Salford began the competition with a win over Liverpool Under 21s, and they picked up bonus points with penalty-shootout victories over Accrington Stanley and Rochdale, ensuring that Neil Wood's side topped their group.

The Ammies beat Bradford in the previous round, and they will now attempt to book their place in the quarter-finals, as they look to win the competition for a second time after they lifted the trophy in the 2019-20 season.

Meanwhile, Port Vale missed the chance to claim their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions when they faced Bristol Rovers at the weekend.

The contest looked to be heading towards a goalless draw until Aaron Collins scored an 87th-minute winner for Bristol Rovers to condemn Port Vale to a 1-0 defeat.

The Valiants will now turn their attention to the EFL Trophy, and they will be aiming to continue their impressive form in the competition after winning all four of their matches.

In the round of 32, goals from Dennis Politic and David Worrall helped Port Vale secure a 2-1 victory over Barnsley to set up a last-16 tie with Salford.

The visitors will have to improve on their travels if they are to reach the quarter-finals after winning only one of their last four away games.

Salford City EFL Trophy form:


Salford City form (all competitions):


Port Vale EFL Trophy form:


Port Vale form (all competitions):



Team News

Salford will be without the services of Stevie Mallan and Liam Shephard, who are both long-term injury absentees.

With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, Wood could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Tuesday's contest.

Jason Lowe was an unused substitute for the win over Gillingham after returning from a spell on the sidelines, and he could be given minutes off the bench against Port Vale.

As for the visitors, they are likely to still be without the services of Funso Ojo, although Ellis Harrison made his return from injury on Saturday to play nearly 70 minutes against Bristol Rovers.

After keeping consecutive clean sheets, Dan Jones is set to retain his place in a back three alongside Nathan Smith and Connor Hall.

Darrell Clark could make a couple of changes to his side, with Gavin Massey and Daniel Butterworth both in contention for starting spots.

Salford City possible starting lineup:
King; Bolton, Vassell, Nartey, Touray; Watson, Watt; Tolaj, Hendry, Bailey, Smith

Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Stevens; Smith, Jones, Hall; Worrall, Garrity, Conlon, Benning; Butterworth, Massey, Harrison


SM words green background

We say: Salford City 1-2 Port Vale

Port Vale won their most recent away meeting with Salford, and we think the League One side will have enough quality to beat their fourth-tier opponents on Tuesday.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.



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Game History

How you voted: Salford City vs Port Vale

Salford City
19.4%
Draw
45.2%
Port Vale
35.5%
31
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Port Vale116321612421
2Doncaster RoversDoncaster116231613320
3Notts County115421911819
4Walsall106131912719
5Gillingham11614137619
6BarrowBarrow11614138519
7Bradford CityBradford115331611518
8Grimsby Town116051518-318
9Crewe AlexandraCrewe105231110117
10AFC Wimbledon8512135816
11Fleetwood TownFleetwood9441169716
12Chesterfield113621912715
13Newport CountyNewport115061621-515
14Harrogate TownHarrogate114251016-614
15MK Dons113351313012
16Salford City10334711-412
17Colchester UnitedColchester102531315-211
18Swindon TownSwindon112541215-311
19Tranmere RoversTranmere10253511-611
20Bromley102441214-210
21Cheltenham TownCheltenham113171419-510
22Accrington StanleyAccrington102351320-79
23Morecambe11146914-57
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle112181023-137


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