League One side Wrexham will hope to advance to the quarter-finals of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday when they travel to Vale Park to take on League Two club Port Vale.
The hosts managed to beat Doncaster Rovers 1-0 on December 10 in the round of 32 thanks to Rekeem Harper's 92nd-minute winner, whereas Wrexham defeated Crewe Alexandra 1-0 in the previous round, with wing-back Aaron James scoring the winner in the 72nd minute.
Match preview
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Port Vale were dominant against Doncaster Rovers, creating five big chances while facing none themselves despite having to defend against 22 shots.
The home side are currently sixth in League Two with 48 points and occupy the third of four promotion playoff spots, though they are only two points from third-placed Notts County, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot.
Boss Darren Moore's side emerged as 2-1 victors against Accrington Stanley on Saturday in League Two despite being reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute.
The Valiants are in good form having won three and drawn two of their past five games in all competitions, scoring eight goals and conceding five in that time.
Moore's team have also won their last two games at home, though they drew three and lost one of their previous four at Vale Park.
It should also be noted that Port Vale managed to beat Wrexham on penalties in the EFL Trophy on November 12 after holding them to a 1-1 stalemate.
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As for the visitors, they needed goalkeeper Bradley Foster to make seven saves against Crewe Alexandra, whereas opposition goalkeeper Filip Marschall made just one.
Wrexham come into Tuesday's clash having beaten Crawley Town 2-1 on Saturday in League One, a game in which Elliot Lee rescued all three points when he netted in the 95th minute, cancelling out Crawley's 90th-minute equaliser.
The victory left Phil Parkinson's side third in League One with 55 points, and while they occupy the first of four promotion playoff places, they are just four points from second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, who hold one of two automatic promotion spots.
Parkinson's team have only triumphed once in their four most recent outings – losing two and drawing one – and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10, conceding eight goals in their past four matches.
Wrexham's form on the road is concerning given they have succumbed to defeat in five of their last nine fixtures, drawing two and winning two in that period.
Team News
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Considering their promotion charge will almost certainly take priority, Port Vale are likely to field a similar team to the one that started against Doncaster Rovers, so expect goalkeeper Ben Amos to be shielded by centre-backs Nathan Smith, Ben Heneghan and Conor Grant.
Harper may be partnered by Jason Lowe in a double pivot, and they could be tasked with supplying forwards Rico Richards, Lorent Tolaj and Antwoine Hackford.
As for Wrexham, goalkeeper Foster may be stationed behind a back three consisting of Aaron James, Dan Scarr and Thomas O'Connor.
George Dobson could start at the base of a midfield three behind James Jones and Josh Adam, while striker Mo Faal and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson are candidates to lead the visitors' attack.
Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Amos; Smith, Heneghan, Grant; Hart, Harper, Lowe, Shorrock; Richards, Tolaj, Hackford
Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Foster; James, Scarr, O'Connor; Forde, Jones, Dobson, Adam, Mendy; Faal, Bodvarsson
We say: Port Vale 2-1 Wrexham
Port Vale will come into Tuesday's match confident of beating Wrexham given the visitors are in poor form and have struggled on the road.
Additionally, the hosts have been strong of late themselves, and it would not be surprising if they edged a close affair.
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Lewis Nolan
