Preview: Port Vale vs. Derby County - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the visitors have prevailed in four fixtures in succession, Vale have remained inconsistent, leaving them down in 13th position in the standings.

Match preview

There have been times this season when Paul Warne may have wondered whether he had made the right choice in swapping Championship football with Rotherham United for third-tier outfit Derby.

However, County have recently developed into the team that Warne's wants them to be, going 18 matches unbeaten in all competitions when you included the goalless draw at Liverpool in the EFL Cup which was decided on penalties.

More importantly, Derby have recently put together a four-game winning streak for the first time since their relegation, a streak which has established a nine-point cushion in the race for the top six.

Still 11 points adrift of the automatic promotion places, there is no danger of complacency setting in at Pride Park, particularly when three of the wins in question have come by one-goal margins.

Last time out, the Rams posted a 2-1 victory over promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers, midfielder Conor Hourihane netting for the third league game in a row.

As far as Port Vale are concerned, they remain caught between being delighted that they are not encountering a relegation battle in their first year since promotion, yet handling frustration of missed opportunities.

On one hand, Vale have collected 12 points from seven games, but on another, they have lost three of their most recent five outings, going down 2-0 at home to out-of-form Peterborough United on January 16.

Vale now sit eight points adrift of the playoffs, albeit with at least one game in hand on some of the teams above them, and Darrell Clarke will acknowledge that only a run of victories will do if they want to become involved in the promotion race.

In the reverse fixture in October, Vale came from behind to earn a 2-1 triumph, but they have recorded successive wins on just one occasion since that notable success.

Port Vale League One form:

W

L

W

L

W

L

Port Vale form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

W

L

Derby County League One form:

W

D

W

W

W

W

Derby County form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

W

Team News

On the back of defeat to Posh, Clarke will likely make alterations to his Vale side, potentially handing Funso Ojo a chance in central midfield after proving his fitness in two substitute outings.

Ellis Harrison is pushing to return from injury, but the game will come too soon for fellow forward James Wilson, who is unlikely to feature before the end of the month.

Derby will be able to call upon William Osula who has served his three-match ban for a red card collected at the start of the year.

However, Warne may decide against making any changes to a winning team having been able to rest four of his key men during the closing stages versus Bolton.

Should an alteration be made, James Collins appears most likely to be recalled ahead of David McGoldrick in attack.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Stevens; Cass, Smith, Jones; Worrall, Ojo, Garrity, Pett, Benning; Odubeko, Massey

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Smith, Davies, Forsyth, Roberts; Hourihane, Bird; Mendez-Laing, Knight, Barkhuizen; Collins

We say: Port Vale 1-2 Derby County

With home advantage in their favour, Vale will fancy their chances of earning at least a share of the spoils. However, we cannot back against Derby right now, and the Rams should have enough all-round quality to edge a competitive fixture.

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