Preview: Port Vale vs. Exeter City - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are currently sat in 15th place in the League One table and are two points behind the Grecians, who could also use a win after picking up just one point from their previous three matches.

Match preview

Since beating Forest Green Rovers 3-1 in their away meeting on new year's day, Port Vale have picked up just two points from seven matches.

In their most recent outing, Port Vale conceded within 60 seconds against Barnsley, before Nathan Smith restored parity in the 14th minute.

Barnsley, however, retook the lead seven minutes later and added a third in the second half, condemning the Valiants to consecutive defeats.

Darrell Clarke's side have now lost five of their last seven games, and the Port Vale boss will be concerned by the fact that his side have conceded at least two goals in all five of those defeats, leaving them in 15th place ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures.

Although the Valiants are currently nine points clear of the drop zone, Clarke will be aware his players will need to start picking up victories if they are to halt their slide down the table.

Exeter sit three places higher off than their opponents, but their recent form has been far from encouraging, having won only one of their last six games.

The Grecians were unable to build upon the 2-0 victory they recorded against MK Dons at the end of January, as they went on to lose their next two games to Charlton Athletic and Burton Albion.

They at least managed to avoid a third consecutive defeat in midweek, playing out a goalless with Shrewsbury Town.

Gary Caldwell's side have fared reasonably well on their travels in recent games with their last five away matches yielding three victories.

They will also take confidence from the fact that they have beaten Port Vale on two occasions this season - winning 4-0 in the League in August and claiming a 3-2 away victory in November's FA Cup tie.

Port Vale League One form:

L

D

L

D

L

L

Exeter City League One form:

D

L

W

L

L

D

Team News

Injury has prevented James Wilson from featuring in 2023, and the Port Vale striker is not expected to return in time for Saturday's contest.

After recovering from injury, Oxford loanee Matty Taylor came off the bench to make his debut for the club in midweek, and he may be given his first Port Vale start against Exeter.

Taylor could be joined in the forward line by Ellison Harrison, who also returned from a spell on the sidelines to feature as a substitute on Tuesday.

As for the visitors, Kyle Taylor is a long-term injury absentee, while Jevani Brown has been internally suspended by the club pending the outcome of a legal case after being charged with assault.

Cheick Diabate broke his foot in last weekend's defeat to Burton Albion, and he is expected to miss the majority of the season.

The 21-year-old was replaced in the back three by Jonathan Grounds, who could retain his place for Saturday's encounter.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

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

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Woods; Aimson, Hartridge, Grounds; Kite, Key, McDonald, Collins, Mitchell; White; Stansfield

We say: Port Vale 1-1 Exeter City

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