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

The Valiants are languishing in 22nd place and three points adrift from safety, while the Cod Army are four points worse off in 23rd position.

Match preview

Darren Moore is still waiting for his first points as Port Vale boss after beginning his tenure with three consecutive defeats.

The Valiants lost back-to-back away games against Cheltenham Town and Reading, before they fell to a 2-0 defeat in Saturday's home meeting with Lincoln City, extending their winless run to nine league matches.

Having conceded two goals in at least one of their last four matches, Port Vale will need to offer an improved display in the defensive third.

They will also be keen to discover a cutting edge after failing to find the net in three of their previous four home outings.

However, they can take confidence from the fact they have already beaten Fleetwood at Vale Park this season, recording a 3-2 victory in a League Cup tie in August.

Like their hosts, Fleetwood will be desperate to claim all three points after failing to win any of their last four matches since claiming consecutive victories over Port Vale and Bristol Rovers.

Charlie Adam's side did at least salvage a point from Saturday's away game against Exeter City, with Promise Omochere netting a 74th-minute equaliser to cancel out Vincent Harper's first-half opener.

Despite adding a point to their tally, Fleetwood have a mountain to climb if they are to extend their 10-year stay in the third tier, with the Cod Army sitting seven points adrift of safety.

Having leaked 56 league goals, Fleetwood currently have the second-worst defensive record in the division, highlighting one of the key factors behind their struggles this term.

Although they lost to Port Vale in the League Cup, the Cod Army do have the chance to complete a league double over the Valiants after easing to a 3-0 victory earlier this month.

Port Vale League One form:

L

L

D

L

L

L

Fleetwood Town League One form:

W

W

L

D

L

D

Team News

Port Vale remain without the services of forward Uche Ikpeazu, who is out for an extended period with a shoulder injury.

Gavin Massey may be considered for a starting spot after he came off the bench to play the final half-hour against Lincoln.

Ben Garrity was brought into the side at the weekend to make his first start since returning from injury, and the midfielder is poised to retain his place for the midweek outing.

As for the visitors, Omochere is set to return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench to score an equaliser against Exeter.

Like Omorchere, Ryan Broom is also in line for a recall after dropping out of the side for Saturday's draw with Exeter.

Danny Mayor is another name that may be considered for a starting place after he featured as a half-time substitute at the weekend.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Sang, Smith, Debrah, Jones; Ojo, Lowe; Massey, Garrity, Weir; Wilson

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:

Lynch; Wiredu, Heneghan, Campbell; Broom, Lawal, Kilkenny, Johnston; Omochere, Mayor, Coughlan

We say: Port Vale 1-1 Fleetwood Town

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