Two of League One's mid-table teams will meet on Saturday as Port Vale play host to Charlton Athletic, who sit just one place above the hosts.
With only goal difference between them, there is plenty for each team to play for here, giving each the chance to put some distance between the other if they can secure three points.
Match preview
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Port Vale kick-started the New Year in forgettable fashion as they were defeated by Carlisle United, a team that currently resides in the League One relegation zone.
Ben Garrity had given his team the lead, but a poor final 10 minutes of the game saw Carlisle United find the back of the net twice, with the winner being scored in the 93rd minute.
That is a result that Andy Crosby will be hoping his men put behind them at the first available opportunity as they aim to leapfrog their opponents in the league table with three points.
A win could not only allow them to go ahead of Charlton Athletic, but could potentially see Port Vale climb up to 11th depending on other results across the weekend.
The Valiants have won the majority of their matches this season in home fixtures, but they have tended to be inconsistent in front of their own fans as they have not drawn yet, putting together either wins or losses.
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That is something that the visitors will be hoping to exploit, and the lack of goals that Port Vale have managed to score this season could be a factor in that happening.
The hosts have scored 11 fewer goals than the visitors, and the attacking edge that Charlton Athletic boasts will be something that the team looks to continue pushing.
Much like their opponents, the Addicks were also defeated in their first game of 2024 against Oxford United, despite Chem Campbell giving his team the lead in the fifth minute.
Charlton Athletic were also stung with a late goal as they conceded the winner in the 85th minute, proving that both teams will want to concentrate until the last minute this time around.
Michael Appleton's men are in a tough patch of form at the moment, as they have failed to win in their previous eight outings in all competitions, placing plenty of pressure on the manager.
Team News
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Port Vale have a long list of injuries at the moment as Josh Thomas, Mitchell Clark, Dan Jones, Tom Sang and Funso Ojo are all unavailable.
Uche Ikpeazu is likely going to lead the line for the hosts as a lone striker, with the Valiants pushing two men out wide at either side of him recently.
Alfie May is an injury concern for the visitors, as he missed out on the recent loss against Oxford United due to a minor back problem that he is dealing with.
Tyreece Campbell was given the nod to replace him, and that is expected to continue, meanwhile Boban Tedic is unavailable due to concussion protocol.
Charlton Athletic were boosted by the return of Scott Fraser to the matchday squad after a calf problem, and he is expected to be there again as his minutes are managed.
Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Ripley; Lowe, Debrah, Smith; Lomax, Garrity, Devine, Grant; Wilson, Chislett; Ikpeazu
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Watson, Hector, Jones, Edun; Fraser, Dobson, Campbell; Kanu, T. Campbell, Blackett-Taylor
We say: Port Vale 1-1 Charlton Athletic
There is only goal difference to split these teams right now in the league, therefore this promises to be a closely-contested match.
With each team heading into the game on the back of a defeat a cautious approach could be shown which might lead to them sharing the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
