Preview: Wycombe Wanderers vs. Port Vale - prediction, team news, lineups

The Valiants occupy 15th place in the league table, while the Chairboys are sitting two points further back in 18th position.

Match preview

Wycombe have experienced a significant drop off in form since they claimed their most recent league win in an away meeting with Fleetwood Town on October 7.

Since beating the Cod Army via a 4-1 scoreline, the Chairboys have gone to draw four and lose five of their last nine league games.

Although they are enduring a poor run of results, they did at least manage to end a four-game losing run in last Saturday's clash with Derby County at Pride Park.

Derby appeared to have snatched all three points when Tom Barkhuizen broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute, but Luke Leahy kept him from the penalty spot in stoppage time to rescue a precious point for his side.

The Chairboys will now return to Adams Park, where they have lost four of their last league matches (D1) since claiming a 2-0 win over Carlisle United at the end of September.

Port Vale, meanwhile, are set to turn their focus back to league action after their memorable EFL Cup run was brought to an end by Championship Middlesbrough in Tuesday's last-eight tie.

The Valiants conceded two goals inside the opening 25 minutes of their first-ever EFL Cup quarterfinal before Matt Crooks added to Boro's tally in the second period to condemn Andy Crosby's side to a 3-0 defeat.

While Port Vale proved no match for Middlesbrough, they have fared well in their last two league outings, edging out Exeter City via a 1-0 scoreline before beating Wigan Athletic 3-2 last weekend.

As a result of those two victories, the Valiants will be looking to claim three consecutive league victories for the second time this season.

However, that will be easier said than done, as Port Vale have failed to win any of their last eight competitive away games (D4, L4) against Wycombe since recording a 1-0 win in March 2001.

Wycombe Wanderers League One form:

D

L

L

L

L

D

Wycombe Wanderers form (all competitions):

L

L

L

W

L

D

Port Vale League One form:

L

D

L

L

W

W

Port Vale form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

W

L

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Team News

Wycombe are still unable to call upon Jason McCarthy, Brandon Hanlan, Freddie Potts and Sam Vokes due to injury issues.

After missing the draw with Derby through illness, forward Dale Taylor could come back into the side to lead the line against Port Vale.

Experienced defender Richard Keogh, who dropped down to the bench last weekend, could also be recalled to feature in a back three alongside Jack Grimmer and Joe Low.

As for the Valiants, they remain without the services of Josh Thomas, Mitchell Clark and Dan Jones, while Ollie Arblaster is expected to miss out after being stretchered off against Middlesbrough in midweek.

Arblaster's fellow midfielder Funso Ojo was also forced off in the quarter-final tie, and he is now a doubt for Saturday's trip to Adams Park.

After featuring as substitutes in midweek, Rhys Walters and Ryan Loft are in contention to start Port Vale's final away game of 2023.

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; Grimmer, Keogh, Low; Sadlier, Scowen, Leahy, Boyes; McCleary, Phillips, D. Taylor

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Debrah, Lowe, Balmer; Massey, Chislett, Garrity, Grant; Devine, Walters, Loft

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Port Vale

With just two points separating the two sides in the League One table, we expect Saturday's contest to be a close-fought affair.

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