Port Vale will attempt to end a four-game winless run when they welcome Leyton Orient to Vale Park for Tuesday's League One contest.
In contrast to their hosts, the O's are enjoying a fine run of form, having put together a seven-game unbeaten run.
Match preview
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Port Vale are still searching for their first win of the year after drawing one and losing three of their four matches in 2024.
In their most recent outing, the Valiants fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to a Fleetwood Town side that had failed to win any of their previous 12 league matches.
Having picked up just 30 points from 27 games, Andy Crosby's side are languishing in 20th position with two points separating them from the bottom three.
While the Valiants will want to make full use of home advantage on Tuesday, they have experienced mixed fortunes in recent games in front of their own supporters, having won two, drawn one and lost two of their previous five home league games.
However, they have won three of their last four home games against Leyton Orient, including a 3-2 victory in their most recent meeting at Vale Park in December 2021.
Leyton Orient carry significant momentum into the midweek encounter after winning five and drawing two of their last seven matches.
The O's had to settle for a point in their most recent away game against Reading, but they returned to winning ways in Saturday's home clash with Carlisle United.
A Shaq Forde brace and Ruel Sotiriou effort guided the O's to a 3-2 win over the Cumbrian side, ensuring that they finished the weekend in ninth position and 10 points adrift of the playoffs.
Leyton Orient will now turn their attention to their midweek away trip, where they will be confident about their chances of avoiding defeat after losing just one of their last nine away league games (W4, D4).
The hosts have also proven to be a tough team to break down in recent road trips, having conceded just one goal across their previous three away matches.
Team News
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Port Vale striker Uche Ikpeazu is set to miss 10 to 12 weeks of action after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury that he sustained in the recent defeat to Portsmouth.
The Valiants are also expected to be without the services of Mitch Clark, James Plant and Ben Garrity due to their respective injury issues.
Funso Ojo could be presented with a starting opportunity after returning from injury to feature as a half-time substitute against Fleetwood.
As for the visitors, Richie Wellens has confirmed that forward Dan Agyei is set to be out for the remainder of the season through injury.
Midfielder Max Sanders is also expected to be absent after being left out of the club's last two matches due to an injury issue.
After seeing his side get the better of Carlisle at the weekend, Wellens could be tempted to name an unchanged starting lineup for Tuesday's fixture.
Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Ripley; Smith, Lowe, Iacovitti; Massey, Ojo, Weir, Grant; Chislett; Loft, Wilson
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Brynn; Galbraith, Beckles, Happe, James; Brown, El Mizouni; Forde, Moncur, Archibald; Sotiriou
We say: Port Vale 1-2 Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient have been in fine form in recent times, and after winning five of their last seven matches, we think that the confident visitors will do enough to record a narrow victory.
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