Port Vale look to produce a giant killing against Brentford at Vale Park in the Third Round of 2021-22 FA Cup.
Victory would see Port Vale end a seven season absence from the Fourth Round of the competition – having last reached that stage in 2013-14 season.
Brentford meanwhile are looking to advance beyond this stage for the fifth time in the last six seasons with a win.
Team News
New loan signing, Ryan Edmondson is ineligible to play for Port Vale after previously featuring in this season’s FA Cup, whilst on loan at Fleetwood Town during the first half of the campaign consequently meaning that the youngster is cup-tied.
Daniel Jones (suspension), James Wilson (foot), Jamie Proctor (stomach) and Devante Rodney (back) are ruled out.
Brentford will be without Sergi Canos due to a thigh injury as manager – Thomas Frank looks to rest several first-team regulars.
Bryan Mbeumo (calf) and Kristoffer Ajer (hamstring) are in contention to return if the pair pass late fitness tests.
Rico Henry, Mathias Jorgensen, Charlie Goode (all hamstring), Mathias Jensen (knock), Julian Jeanvier, David Raya (both knee), Frank Onyeka (international duty) and Josh Dasilva (hip) remain ruled out indefinitely.
Stat Attack
- Port Vale are facing Brentford in the FA Cup for the very first time but are unbeaten in 32 of 55 meetings in all competitions (W25, D7, L23).
- Brentford are unbeaten in three of their last five visits to Vale Park (W2, D1, L2), keeping clean sheets in each of their last two away wins in this fixture.
- Darrell Clarke’s Valiants are unbeaten in four of their last six home ties in FA Cup dating back to November 2016 (W3, D1, L2).
- Brentford are winless in their last seven away matches in the FA Cup (D3, L4), dating back to November 2012.
- Five of Vale’s seven FA Cup goals this season have been scored between the pairing of James Wilson (3) and Dennis-Dorian Politic (2).
Prediction
Despite their injury crisis up front, Port Vale haven’t played in over a month which should make for a good game if they come out with the perfect game plan to trouble Brentford’s high-pressing style despite potential early rustiness.
Thomas Frank’s Bees though should be fairly full-strength given their injury crisis but I can see Marcus Forss and Tariqe Fosu amongst the fringe players getting a chance here, especially after some bright displays in the Carabao Cup against EFL opposition earlier this season.
Port Vale though have home advantage and the Bees’ away form in this competition isn’t exactly impressive, yet this feels like a game which they should comfortably win if they find their scoring boots early.
Prediction: Port Vale 0-3 Brentford
Result: Port Vale 1-4 Brentford