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

The Brewers head into the first-round contest off the back of a promising run of form, having lost just one of their last 10 matches.

Match preview

Port Vale will head into Saturday's encounter in a buoyant mood after they claimed a historic victory over League Two side Mansfield Town in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

Alfie Devine's second-half strike guided the Valiants to a narrow 1-0 victory, ensuring that the club progressed to the EFL Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

That result would have certainly boosted morale in a squad low on confidence following an eight-game winless league run (D2, L5).

Before they have the chance to end their wait for a league victory against Lincoln City on November 11, Port Vale will go up against Burton and Wrexham in the FA Cup and the EFL Trophy respectively.

The Valiants have a mixed record in recent first-round FA Cup ties, having lost three of their last five matches at this stage of the competition, including a 3-2 defeat in last season's cup meeting with Exeter City.

Burton, meanwhile, began the season with a poor run of results after failing to win any of their opening eight competitive matches.

However, their wait for a victory came to an end in September's home league meeting with Saturday's opponents.

A 3-2 victory over Port Vale proved to be the catalyst for an eight-game unbeaten run, which was recently brought to an end by a 2-1 defeat to Carlisle United.

While the Brewers were unable to return to winning ways last weekend, they played out a goalless draw against Leyton Orient to take their tally to 20 points from 13 games, leaving them in 13th place in the league table.

Burton will turn their attention to Saturday's FA Cup encounter, where they will attempt to continue their impressive record at Vale Park after winning their last three competitive away matches against the Valiants.

Port Vale form (all competitions):

L

W

D

L

L

W

Burton Albion form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

L

D

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Team News

Port Vale's considerable injury list features Alex Iacovitti, Mitchell Clark, Kofi Balmer, Conor Grant and James Wilson.

Uche Ikpeazu and Ryan Loft, who are both building up their match fitness, have been rotated in the previous four games, and the latter is expected to start on Saturday after being used as a substitute in midweek.

Tom Conlon has been an unused substitute in the last two matches since returning from injury, but Andy Crosby could give him some valuable minutes off the bench on Saturday.

As for the visitors, John Brayford and Sam Hughes are ruled out, while there are doubts over the availability of Kwadwo Baah and Steve Seddon after the pair missed the goalless draw with Leyton Orient due to knocks.

After featuring as a substitute last weekend, Mason Bennett could be given a starting berth for Saturday's away trip.

Bez Lubala is expected to retain his place up front, and the forward will look to add to his three-goal tally for the 2023-24 campaign.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Debrah, Lowe, Smith; Sang, Arblaster, Ojo, Plant; Garrity, Devine; Loft

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Hamer, Moon, Sweeney, Caprice; Walker; Gilligan, Powell, Helm, Bennett; Lubala

We say: Port Vale 1-2 Burton Albion

Port Vale will be in high spirits after booking their place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, but we think that they may struggle to claim another cup win at the weekend.

Burton have had a week to prepare for Saturday's contest, and their fresh legs could help them claim a fourth straight victory in away meetings with Port Vale.

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