Port Vale look to spring another cupset as they host Sunderland in the fifth round of the 2025-26 FA Cup.
Victory would see Port Vale advance to the Quarter-Finals for the first time since their run to the semi-finals in the 1953-54 season.
Sunderland meanwhile are looking to secure a first Quarter-Final appearance in the FA Cup since the 2013-14 season.
Team News
Port Vale have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-0 fourth-round win against Bristol City in midweek in a rearranged tie, after the original match was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Ben Heneghan (concussion) plus George Byers, Ryan Croasdale and Ben Garrity (all unspecified) are unlikely to be involved.
Sunderland could be without Bertrand Traore after he suffered a recurrence of a recent knee injury during their Premier League victory at Leeds.
Brian Brobbey, Nordi Mukiele (both calf), Jocelin Ta Bi, Romaine Mundle (both ankle), Reinildo (knee), Robin Roefs and Dennis Cirkin (both hamstring) will again be sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Port Vale host Sunderland at Vale Park on Sunday 8 March at 1:30pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Port Vale have won two of their four previous FA Cup ties against Sunderland (W2, L2), although their two victories came at home in replays after 2-2 and 0-0 draws in third and fourth rounds of 1935-36 & 61-62 editions respectively.
- Sunderland have won one of their three previous FA Cup visits to Port Vale (W1, L2).
- Port Vale lost 4-1 to Brentford in their only previous home tie against top-flight opposition in the FA Cup this century, which came in January 2022 in the third round.
- Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki have both been booked in each of Sunderland’s two FA Cup ties this season.
Prediction
Having needed extra time to beat Bristol City on Tuesday evening, Port Vale are lucky that this fixture has been scheduled for the Sunday because it gives them enough time to rest and regroup as this cup run is a free hit given that they’re pretty much relegation fodder in League One.
Sunderland meanwhile have a great chance to reach the Quarter-Finals if Regis Le Bris names a strong first-team line-up here and they don’t underestimate the Valiants, but they did grind out their league win at Leeds with their limited attacking opportunities.
This game though should be more comfortable for them if they can make their quality count from early on against Port Vale’s vulnerable defence, who surely won’t want another match to go to extra time but they need another resilient defensive display if wish to cause a cupset.
Prediction: Port Vale 0-2 Sunderland
Result: Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland