Port Vale face Burton Albion in a relegation six-pointer showdown at the foot of Sky Bet League One.
Victory could move rock-bottom Port Vale to within seven points of safety, whilst Burton can climb as high as 17th with a win – although a draw would move them out of the relegation zone for at least a few hours depending on results elsewhere.
Team News
Martin Sherif could make his debut for Port Vale after he was left out of their 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon in midweek, having only joined on loan from Everton on 1 February.
Kgaogelo Chauke and George Byers are both unlikely to be involved due to unspecified injuries.
Burton could welcome Dylan Williams and Julian Larsson back from hamstring injuries subject to late fitness checks.
Andy Cannon remains absent with a knee injury.
When is Kick-Off?
Port Vale host Burton at Vale Park on Saturday 7 February at 12:31pm GMT, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Port Vale have claimed seven points in their last five league meetings against Burton Albion (W2, D1, L2).
- Burton have won three of their seven previous league visits to Port Vale (W3, L4), although all three of those wins came in League One.
- Port Vale have kept clean sheets in their last four meetings against Burton in all competitions (W2, D2).
- Port Vale have won just one of their last eight league matches at home (W1, D2, L5).
- Burton have claimed one point in their last six away matches in League One (D1, L5).
Prediction
Currently sat 10 points from safety, Port Vale really need to find a way to put a winning run together soon if want any chances of staying up but they did well to take the fight to AFC Wimbledon, yet they ultimately didn’t have the clinical edge on their end product.
Burton though aren’t in much better form with one win in their last eight league matches but they do have more attacking fight within them, even though a slow defensive start against Doncaster was their downfall in midweek so a faster start would be ideal for them.
This game though is surely a relegation six-pointer because if Port Vale can win this, you must think that the great escape is potentially on, whereas a win for Burton would boost their survival chances but put a severe dent into the Valiants’ own hopes.
On that note, the first goal will be key and I do think that Burton’s better goalscoring form could well be decisive.
Prediction: Port Vale 0-1 Burton Albion
Result: Port Vale 2-2 Burton Albion
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