Preview: Port Vale vs. Cheltenham Town - prediction, team news, lineups

The Valiants, meanwhile, are desperate to end their poor run of form after failing to win any of their last seven league matches.

Match preview

Port Vale's form has dropped off dramatically since beginning the campaign with five victories in their opening seven league games (D1, L1).

Their winless run currently stands at seven league matches (D2, L5) after they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Peterborough United in their most recent outing.

Saturday's contest was decided by Ephron Mason-Clark's 14th-minute effort, ensuring the Valiants finished the weekend in 14th place.

Having failed to score in five consecutive league games, Port Vale's struggles in the final third have been a major factor behind their poor form.

They have also lost three consecutive home matches in the third tier, but they can draw inspiration from the fact they are unbeaten in six competitive home meetings with Cheltenham (W3, D3).

Like their hosts, Cheltenham have also struggled to find the net after they failed to score in their opening nine league matches.

Two of those games took place under the watch of Darrell Clarke, who was appointed Cheltenham boss at the end of September following Wade Elliott's dismissal.

Clarke saw his side score their first goal of the campaign in a 1-1 draw against Derby County earlier this month, before the Robins edged out Cambridge United to claim their first victory of the season.

They were unable to back up that result at the weekend after falling to a 3-2 defeat to Blackpool, with the result representing a fourth consecutive away loss.

Having picked up just one point from their seven away league games, Cheltenham need to start producing positive results on the road if they are to move off the foot off the table and close the nine-point gap to safety.

Port Vale League One form:

D

L

L

L

D

L

Port Vale form (all competitions):

L

L

L

W

D

L

Cheltenham Town League One form:

L

L

L

D

W

L

Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

W

L

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Team News

The hosts are still expected to be without the services of Alex Iacovitti, Conor Grant, James Wilson and Tom Conlon.

Crystal Palace loanee Kofi Balmer is a doubt for the weekend after being forced off in first-half stoppage time in the midweek defeat to Peterborough.

Crosby could be tempted to make a number of changes to his side, with Tom Sang, James Plant and Uche Ikpeazu all in contention to return to the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, Owen Bevan could be brought into the side to feature in a back three alongside Sean Long and Lewis Freestone.

After dropping down to the bench at the weekend, midfielder Curtis Thompson and forward Rob Street could return to the starting XI.

Will Goodwin scored his first two goals of the season in the defeat to Blackpool, and the 21-year-old will look to build upon that promising display when he lines up against Port Vale.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley, Lowe, Debrah, Smith; Sang, Arblaster, Ojo, Plant; Garrity, Chislett; Ikpeazu

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Long, Bevan, Freestone; Smith, Bonds, Thompson, Sercombe, Ferry; Goodwin, Street

We say: Port Vale 1-1 Cheltenham Town

While Cheltenham have shown signs of encouragement in recent weeks, they are still yet to pick up an away victory this season.

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