MX23RW : Tuesday, December 3 16:58:54| >> :600:113515:113515:
[monks data]
Cambridge United
League One | Gameweek 16
Oct 22, 2022 at 3pm UK
Abbey Stadium
Port Vale

Cambridge
0 - 1
Port Vale


Simper (84')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Digby (79' og.)
Worrall (27'), Massey (78'), Conlon (90+4')

Preview: Cambridge United vs. Port Vale - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Cambridge United and Port Vale, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Cambridge United will be aiming to end a run of four consecutive league defeats when they welcome Port Vale to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday.

Meanwhile, newly-promoted Port Vale are unbeaten in their last three outings in all competitions.


Match preview

Cambridge United coach Mark Bonner on January 8, 2022© Reuters

These two sides are only separated by goal difference in the table, but Cambridge come into this clash in spiralling league form.

It has been a drastic downturn in results for the U's with a victory at basement boys Morecambe the only exception on their dreadful run.

Mark Bonner's side have now lost their last four in the league, including the 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend courtesy of a Lee Gregory brace.

However, they did defeat Ipswich Town 1-0 in the EFL Trophy in midweek, due to a late Lewis Simper strike. The 21-year-old's first goal of the season was enough to give Bonner's side the victory and avoid five straight defeats in all competitions.

On an evening when his men bowed out of the EFL Trophy despite picking up six points in the group stages, Bonner will see the return to winning ways as a building block heading into some crucial encounters in the league.

The victory over Ipswich could be the result the U's need to get back on track in the league and end this barren run.

Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke applauds fans after the match on January 8, 2022© Reuters

Meanwhile, the visitors' inconsistency means they are still looking both up the table and over their shoulder as they have become stranded in mid-table following a mix of wins, draws and losses.

They currently sit one place above their opponents on Saturday due to goal difference, however, the Valiants do have a game in hand.

Darrell Clarke's side followed up their brilliant away win at Derby County with a 2-2 draw with fellow promoted side Forest Green Rovers last time out in the league.

A late Ellis Harrison penalty completed Port Vale's comeback from two goals down, after Myles Peart-Harris and Baily Cargill had given Rovers the lead.

Mipo Odubeko pulled a goal back for The Valiants before Harrison slotted away his seventh goal of the season from 12 yards out.

That goal puts the Welshman in a tie for fourth in the goalscoring charts, as he has now scored exactly half of Port Vale's goals in League One this campaign.

The EFL Trophy victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers' Under-21s in midweek means that Port Vale are undefeated in their last three outings in all competitions, and they will be fancying their chances against an out-of-sorts Cambridge side here.

The win sees the Vale secure a home tie in the last 32, with ties to take place in the week commencing November 21.

Cambridge United League One form:


Cambridge United form (all competitions):


Port Vale League One form:


Port Vale form (all competitions):



Team News

Brentford's Nathan Young-Coombes in action with Cambridge United's Adam May, on July 21, 2021© Reuters

The hosts could still be without Adam May after the midfielder was ruled out of last weekend's defeat to Sheffield Wednesday with a knee injury.

Goalkeeper Will Mannion missed the defeats against Bristol Rovers and Wednesday with a knee injury but he returned in midweek against Ipswich, so he could retain his place here.

Summer signing Brandon Haunstrup has missed the last eight league games and is not expected to feature.

Harrison Dunk has not played for the U's since the defeat to Derby County at the start of the month due to a knee problem, and is touch-and-go for the match on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Port Vale will remain without Belgian midfielder Funso Ojo and striker Jamie Proctor as they continue to recover from hamstring and hip injuries respectively.

Rory Holden returned to action against Wolves' Under-21s on Tuesday evening, and Harry Charsley could be close to coming back from injury.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mannion; Jones, Taylor, Williams; Tracey, Digby, Knibbs, Simper, Brophy; Ironside, Smith

Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Stevens; Smith, Forrester, Jones; Massey, Garrity, Politic, Conlon, McCarron; Wilson, Harrison


SM words green background

We say: Cambridge United 0-2 Port Vale

Port Vale are unbeaten in their last three, and although they may not have the most potent attack, they face a Cambridge side who have been generous in giving up goals.

Cambridge are struggling for form in the league, and we think Port Vale will take advantage of that.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:497405:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect13979:
Written by
Jonny Webb

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Cambridge vs Port Vale

Cambridge United
33.3%
Draw
16.7%
Port Vale
50.0%
6
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Josh Benson celebrates scoring for Barnsley on August 10, 2022
Read Next:
Saturday's League One predictions including Bolton vs. Barnsley
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Browns
32-41
Broncos
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe16122236181838
2Wrexham17104326111534
3Birmingham CityBirmingham15103228151333
4Stockport CountyStockport1786329171230
5Huddersfield TownHuddersfield1692525151029
6Barnsley177642622427
7Reading168352624227
8Bolton WanderersBolton168352526-127
9Lincoln CityLincoln177552321226
10Mansfield TownMansfield157352017324
11Exeter CityExeter167271415-123
12Charlton AthleticCharlton166461717022
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough166373229321
14Bristol Rovers176381723-621
15Wigan AthleticWigan165561513220
16Blackpool175572430-620
17Stevenage165471116-519
18Northampton TownNorthampton174671923-418
19Rotherham UnitedRotherham164571419-517
20Crawley TownCrawley174491527-1216
21Leyton Orient164391420-615
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge163491425-1113
23Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1632111629-1311
24Burton Albion1615101529-148


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!