MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 15:19:57| >> :600:281769:281769:
[monks data]
Port Vale
League Two | Gameweek 39
Mar 26, 2022 at 3pm UK
Vale Park
Sutton United

Port Vale
2 - 0
Sutton

Wilson (7'), Proctor (23')
Walker (53'), Proctor (70')
FT(HT: 2-0)

John (66')

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

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

Saturday's League Two action includes a huge clash between two playoff-hopeful sides in the form of Port Vale and Sutton United at Vale Park.

Sutton leapfrogged Port Vale in the table in midweek after they returned to winning ways, with the latter having to settle for a draw against second-placed Exeter City.


Match preview

Port Vale's Kian Harratt celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 8, 2022© Reuters

Despite impressing with a solid display against high-flying Exeter on Tuesday evening, Darrell Clarke's side had to make do with a goalless draw.

The stalemate put an end to their three-game winning run, but considering the calibre of their opposition, it was certainly an impressive enough performance and result to maintain their momentum in their quest for a playoff place in League Two.

Having lost just once in their last 14 outings as a result, the Valiants have climbed to ninth in the table, despite being overtaken by their weekend opponents.

With just one point keeping Clarke's men outside of the playoff places, and only four separating third from 10th heading into the closing stages of the season, their position in the league table between now and May could well change drastically.

As Exeter found out in midweek, Vale Park has been a tough venue to visit for many opposing teams this season, and the hosts' seven-match unbeaten run there, in which just three goals have been conceded, means they will be confident of achieving a positive result against another promotion hopeful once again on Saturday.

Sutton United manager Matt Gray as Aldershot's assistant coach in December 2014  © Reuters

As for the visitors, a Ricky Korboa brace, and a penalty from Harry Beautyman 13 minutes from time, helped them to a comfortable 3-1 victory at relegation-threatened Oldham Athletic on Tuesday.

After successive defeats and a draw with Tranmere Rovers immediately prior to it, the win came at a vital time for Sutton to reignite their promotion hopes after dropping out of the playoff spots in recent weeks.

Registering back-to-back victories on the road with another three points at Vale Park on Saturday would likely lift Matt Gray's side back into the top seven, but that is much easier said than done considering the form and quality of their hosts.

The thrilling 4-3 victory over Vale back in October is sure to provide the desired confidence, which saw Will Randall and Coby Rowe dramatically net late on to turn the game on its head.

Gray will be hopeful of his side repeating that result, but will be eager to achieve it in far more comfortable circumstances this time around as they continue their quest to achieve remarkable back-to-back promotions.

Port Vale League Two form:
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D

Sutton United League Two form:
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W

Sutton United form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W



Team News

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

Vale will monitor the fitness of attacking duo James Wilson and Jamie Proctor ahead of Saturday's clash, with the duo being forced off in midweek due to recent knocks and fatigue.

The latter's substitution five minutes into the second half is thought to have been largely tactical, so his replacement Kian Harratt will have to settle for a place on the bench once more unless Wilson has fully recovered.

Tom Pett's substitution was also a concern at the time but the midfielder is believed to be fit and available to go again against Sutton, although Joel Cooper could well miss out again after being absent from the squad in midweek due to injury.

As for the visitors, a number of injured players remain unavailable to leave Gray short of options when it comes to Saturday's trip.

Beautyman returned with a goal off the bench in midweek and he will be pushing for a return to the starting 11, with Kenny Davis's and Adam Lovatt's spot up for grabs.

That is likely to be the only change in an otherwise unchanged lineup for the visitors, who should start with Richie Bennett and Omar Bugiel in attack once more.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Stone; Smith, Walker, Hall; Worrall, Pett, Charsley, Benning; Garrity; Harratt, Proctor

Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Bouzanis; Boldewijn, Goodliffe, Rowe, Wyatt; Ajiboye, Beautyman, Lovatt, Korboa; Bugiel, Bennett


SM words green background

We say: Port Vale 1-0 Sutton United

Unlike their meeting earlier in the season, this is likely to be a tight encounter between two sides fighting for the same goal come May.

Both have been very impressive for much of this campaign, but the recent form of Port Vale, as well as their home advantage, is swaying us towards a narrow home victory on Saturday.



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:481560:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10074:
Written by
Matthew Tranter

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Port Vale win with a probability of 48.98%. A draw had a probability of 26.5% and a win for Sutton United had a probability of 24.53%.

The most likely scoreline for a Port Vale win was 1-0 with a probability of 13.12%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (9.58%) and 2-1 (9.09%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (12.45%), while for a Sutton United win it was 0-1 (8.53%). The actual scoreline of 2-0 was predicted with a 9.6% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole and our data analysis both correctly predicted that Port Vale would win this match.


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: Port Vale vs Sutton

Port Vale
66.7%
Draw
33.3%
Sutton United
0.0%
6
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy pictured on February 16, 2021
Read Next:
Mick McCarthy says short-term signing Marley Watkins has 'done himself no harm'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall27184552282458
2Doncaster RoversDoncaster2814774031949
3Notts County27138643271647
4Bradford CityBradford27138638271147
5Crewe AlexandraCrewe281211535241147
6AFC Wimbledon26136738201845
7Port Vale2712963328545
8Salford City2712783124743
9Chesterfield27109843311239
10Grimsby Town28123133845-739
11MK Dons27115114138338
12Fleetwood TownFleetwood269983531436
13Bromley2781183635135
14Cheltenham TownCheltenham2798103639-335
15Colchester UnitedColchester2771373028234
16Swindon TownSwindon29810113843-534
17Gillingham2695122427-332
18BarrowBarrow2787122731-431
19Accrington StanleyAccrington2678113343-1029
20Harrogate TownHarrogate2985162440-1629
21Newport CountyNewport2676133446-1227
22Tranmere RoversTranmere2768132043-2326
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2756162141-2021
24Morecambe2755172242-2020


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!