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Port Vale
League One | Gameweek 41
Mar 29, 2024 at 3pm UK
Vale Park
Bristol Rovers

Port Vale
2 - 0
Bristol Rovers

Garrity (42'), Dipepa (52')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Hoole (34'), Wilson (58')

Preview: Port Vale vs. Bristol Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's League One clash between Port Vale and Bristol Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Port Vale will attempt to claim a second straight win when they welcome Bristol Rovers to Vale Park for Friday's League One clash.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to return to winning ways after taking just one point from their last three matches.


Match preview

Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore before the match on February 7, 2023© Reuters

Port Vale renewed their survival hopes with a narrow 1-0 victory in last Saturday's away meeting with relegation rivals Burton Albion.

After going 14 games without a win, Port Vale claimed their first victory of 2024 thanks to Ryan Loft's 84th-minute winner.

The crucial result moved the Valiants to within three points of safety with eight games left to go in the League One season.

Buoyed from their recent success on the road, Port Vale will now return to Vale Park, where they will look to end an eight-game winless run by recording their first home victory since the end of December.

Although the Valiants have lost three of their last four head-to-head meetings, they can draw inspiration from the fact that they clinched a 2-0 win in last season's home game against Bristol Rovers.

Bristol Rovers' Luke Mccormick celebrates scoring their first goal with Luke Thomas on January 17, 2024© Reuters

In contrast to their relegation-threatened hosts, Bristol Rovers are set to extend their stay in League One into a third consecutive campaign.

Having collected 50 points from 38 matches, the Gas are sitting in 14th place and three points away from matching last season's tally.

While they may occupy a comfortable mid-table position, Matt Taylor's side will be keen to halt their three-game winless run, which began with a heavy 3-0 defeat to Derby County.

The Gas went on to play out a goalless draw with Fleetwood Town, before they slumped to a demoralising 5-0 loss against Lincoln City in their most recent outing.

After having two weeks to reflect upon that result, Bristol Rovers will look to use that disappointment as motivation for Friday's away trip, where they will have the chance to complete a league double over Port Vale after running out 3-0 winners in October's reverse fixture.

Port Vale League One form:

Bristol Rovers League One form:


Team News

Bristol Rovers manager Matt Taylor looks dejected after the match on January 17, 2024© Reuters

Port Vale are still expected to be without the services of Uche Ikpeazu and Dan Gore due to their respective injury issues.

Tom Sang is in contention for a starting berth after he came off the bench to play over half-an-hour in the recent win over Burton.

Buoyed from scoring three goals in two games for England Under-17s, forward Baylee Dipepa is set to return to the matchday squad for Friday's home fixture.

Bristol Rovers, meanwhile, are unable to call upon the injured trio of Jordan Rossiter, Jack Hunt and Luke McCormick.

James Wilson is available following a three-match suspension, and the defender is likely to start in central defence alongside Elkan Baggott.

Chris Martin will continue to lead the line for the visitors, having scored 15 goals in 28 league appearances this season.


Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Ripley; Smith, Debrah, Iacovitti; Sang, Garrity, Ojo, Plant; Chislett; Wilson, Loft

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Hoole, Wilson, Baggott, Gordon; Finley, Conteh; Vale, Evans, Sinclair; Martin


SM words green background

We say: Port Vale 2-1 Bristol Rovers

Port Vale will have a renewed sense of belief following their narrow win over Burton, and with Bristol Rovers experiencing a dip in form, Friday's fixture represents the perfect opportunity for the hosts to boost their survival hopes with three more precious points.



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




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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: Port Vale vs Bristol Rovers

Port Vale
55.0%
Draw
15.0%
Bristol Rovers
30.0%
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall19124335191640
2Port Vale2010642619736
3Crewe AlexandraCrewe199732416834
4AFC Wimbledon19103631161533
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster209652823533
6Chesterfield2087535231231
7Grimsby Town2010192730-331
8MK Dons1893630201030
9Gillingham199282016429
10Bradford CityBradford197752419528
11Notts County197752521428
12Salford City197662019127
13Cheltenham TownCheltenham207582728-126
14Bromley195952323024
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood185852423123
16BarrowBarrow196581818023
17Newport CountyNewport196582128-723
18Colchester UnitedColchester1941052322122
19Tranmere RoversTranmere195681426-1221
20Harrogate TownHarrogate2063111730-1321
21Accrington StanleyAccrington194782634-819
22Swindon TownSwindon2037102334-1116
23Morecambe2035121936-1714
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1935111532-1714


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