Preview: Port Vale vs. Burton Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, who are currently sitting in 18th place in the League One table, will be looking for a response after being thrashed 5-2 by Peterborough United in midweek.

Match preview

After beating MK Dons 1-0 at the beginning of the month, Port Vale had the chance to claim a second straight victory when they travelled to Highbury Stadium to face Fleetwood Town last weekend.

Matty Taylor opened the scoring before the hour mark, but the Valiants were denied all three points following Jack Marriott's 83rd-minute equaliser.

The 1-1 draw leaves Port Vale without a win in five away games, and as a result, they will be grateful to return to their home surroundings this weekend.

Port Vale's last two matches at Vale Park have resulted in 1-0 victories, and they now have the opportunity to claim three consecutive home wins in League One for the second time this season.

With 11 points separating the 15th-placed side from the drop zone, Port Vale will be content with their progress after winning promotion to the third tier last term, but Darrell Clarke will now be challenging his side to secure a top-half finish.

Burton would have entered their midweek home game against Peterborough United in a positive mood after beating Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 last weekend.

As it proved, goals from Joe Powell and Jonny Smith could not prevent the Brewers from falling to a heavy defeat, as the Posh cruised to a commanding 5-2 win.

The heavy defeat prevented Dino Maamria's side from putting considerable distance between them and the drop zone, with five points separating the 18th-placed side from the bottom three.

If they are to move up the table then Burton will need to improve defensively, having conceded 68 goals in 35 league games this season - only Forest Green Rovers have let in more.

Although the Brewers were beaten 2-0 by Port Vale earlier this season, they can draw inspiration from the fact that they have emerged victorious from their last two trips to Vale Park.

Port Vale League One form:

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Burton Albion League One form:

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Team News

After being ruled out of Port Vale's draw with Fleetwood with a knock, Ben Garrity could return to the side for Saturday's contest.

James Wilson also missed out against the Cod Army due to a groin issue, but Clarke is hopeful that he will be fit enough to be involved in some capacity.

After scoring his first Port Vale goal last weekend, Taylor will be hoping to find the net once again when he leads the line alongside Ellis Harrison.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the services of Terry Taylor and Sam Winnall, who are ruled out for the rest of the season.

Adedeji Oshilaja will serve the second game of a three-match suspension, while there are doubts over the availability of Bobby Kamwa, Sam Lavelle and Chris McCann due to injury issues.

After coming off the bench to score Burton's second goal in the 5-2 defeat to Peterborough, Smith could be presented with a starting opportunity.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Stone; Forrester, Smith, Donnelly; Worrall, Ojo, Pett, Benning; Garrity; Taylor, Harrison

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

MacGillivray; Brayford, Hughes, Moon; Hammer, Gilligan, Powell, Ashworth; Taylor, Smith; Ahadme

We say: Port Vale 2-1 Burton Albion

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