Port Valevs.Bristol Rovers

Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to return to winning ways after taking just one point from their last three matches.

Match preview

Port Vale renewed their survival hopes with a narrow 1-0 victory in last Saturday's away meeting with relegation rivals Burton Albion.

After going 14 games without a win, Port Vale claimed their first victory of 2024 thanks to Ryan Loft's 84th-minute winner.

The crucial result moved the Valiants to within three points of safety with eight games left to go in the League One season.

Buoyed from their recent success on the road, Port Vale will now return to Vale Park, where they will look to end an eight-game winless run by recording their first home victory since the end of December.

Although the Valiants have lost three of their last four head-to-head meetings, they can draw inspiration from the fact they clinched a 2-0 win in last season's home game against Bristol Rovers.

In contrast to their relegation-threatened hosts, Bristol Rovers are set to extend their stay in League One into a third consecutive campaign.

Having collected 50 points from 38 matches, the Gas are sitting in 14th place and three points away from matching last season's tally.

While they may occupy a comfortable midtable position, Matt Taylor's side will be keen to halt their three-game winless run, which began with a heavy 3-0 defeat to Derby County.

The Gas went on to play out a goalless draw with Fleetwood Town, before they slumped to a demoralising 5-0 loss against Lincoln City in their most recent outing.

After having two weeks to reflect upon that result, Bristol Rovers will look to use that disappointment as motivation for Saturday's away trip, where they will have the chance to complete a league double over Port Vale after running out 3-0 winners in October's reverse fixture.

Port Vale League One form:

D

L

L

D

L

W

Bristol Rovers League One form:

L

W

W

L

D

L

Team News

Port Vale are still expected to be without the services of Uche Ikpeazu and Dan Gore due to their respective injury issues.

Tom Sang is in contention for a starting berth after he came off the bench to play over half an hour in the recent win over Burton.

Buoyed from scoring three goals in two games for England Under-17s, forward Baylee Dipepa is set to return to the matchday squad for Saturday's home fixture.

Bristol Rovers, meanwhile, are unable to call upon the injured trio of Jordan Rossiter, Jack Hunt and Luke McCormick.

James Wilson is available following a three-match suspension, and the defender is likely to start in central defence alongside Elkan Baggott.

Chris Martin will continue to lead the line for the visitors, having scored 15 goals in 28 league appearances this season.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Smith, Debrah, Iacovitti; Sang, Garrity, Ojo, Plant; Chislett; Wilson, Loft

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Ward; Hoole, Wilson, Baggott, Gordon; Finley, Conteh; Vale, Evans, Sinclair; Martin

We say: Port Vale 2-1 Bristol Rovers

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