Port Vale take on Middlesbrough at Vale Park in a Quarter-Final showdown in 2023-24 Carabao Cup.
Victory would see Port Vale advance to the semi-finals for the first time in history and extend their longest League Cup run further.
Middlesbrough meanwhile are looking to reach the final four for the first time since they won the competition in 2004.
Team News
James Wilson is unlikely to feature for Port Vale as he nears his return from a calf injury.
Mitchell Clark, Dan Jones (both unspecified) and Josh Thomas (knock) remain absent.
Middlesbrough could be without goalkeeper, Seny Dieng after he suffered a thigh injury in their away win at Swansea in the Championship, although he was unlikely to start with Tom Glover having started Boro’s cup games this season.
Josh Coburn (groin/pelvis) is unlikely to be available for selection.
Hayden Hackney (groin), Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Smith (both Achilles), Lewis O’Brien (ankle/leg), Riley McGree (foot), Paddy McNair (back) and Marcus Forss (thigh) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Port Vale host Middlesbrough at Vale Park in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off on Tuesday 19 December, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Port Vale are facing Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup for the very first time.
- Middlesbrough are playing away to Port Vale for the first time in this competition, but have won two of their last four visits in all competitions (W2, L2).
- Port Vale lost their only previous domestic cup meeting against Middlesbrough, which came in a 3-1 defeat away at Ayresome Park in November 1989 in 1989-90 Full Members’ Cup.
- Port Vale have kept just one clean sheet in three matches at home in this season’s competition (W2, D1), which came in their Second Round victory over Crewe Alexandra on penalties after 0-0 draw.
- Morgan Rogers has scored three goals in his four League Cup appearances for Middlesbrough this season.
Prediction
Having battled their way past clubs from League One and League Two to get to this stage, Port Vale now certainly face a tough test in a month where they’ve been unbeaten so far but their defence is their weak point with five clean sheets in their last 22 games in all competitions.
Port Vale however do have two familiar faces known to Boro supporters in Connor Ripley and Uche Ikpeazu but either player has been in solid form this season, with Ripley in particular struggling for form in goal.
Boro meanwhile have had a tricky run of fixtures lately but bounced back with a clinical win at Swansea, having initially started slow without much grip on the gamee yet they were able snatch the victory through patience and forcing mistakes within Swansea’s defence.
Michael Carrick’s men though head into this game as favourites given their quality but they should be wary of Port Vale’s dangerous midfield with Ben Garrity and Alfie Devine looking particularly dangerous threats who will be problematic.
I however just don’t see Boro losing this if they turn up and take the hosts seriously – which they failed to do at home to Burton during the 2019-19 season at this stage, although Port Vale should give them a battle despite their defensive fragilities.
Prediction: Port Vale 1-2 Middlesbrough
Result: Port Vale 0-3 Middlesbrough
All the pressure is on Middlesbrough. We’re used to being the underdogs at Vale but see us winning this 5-4!
All the pressure is on Middlesbrough. We’re used to being the underdogs at Vale but see us winning this 5-4!