Preview: Port Vale vs. Forest Green Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Forest Green were crowned champions to reach this level for the first time, while Port Vale were victorious at Wembley in the playoff final, but survival in League One is on the agenda for both sides currently.

Match preview

Despite winning their first game of the season away at Bristol Rovers, it has all gone downhill for Forest Green since then, as their introduction to the third tier has been somewhat of a baptism of fire.

This is down to the fact they have taken some heavy beatings already in the first 13 games of the season, as a 4-1 defeat at Peterborough United in midweek has followed on from 4-0 and 5-0 defeats to Exeter City and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.

Therefore, it is no surprise to see that Forest Green have the leakiest defence in the division so far, conceding on average over two goals per game.

Another cause for concern is the fact they are one of just two sides in the bottom nine who do not have a game in hand, and while they are already in the relegation zone, sides around them could pick up points to cut them even further adrift without Rovers even playing.

They will be hugely grateful to Connor Wickham too that they are not in deeper trouble, as he has accounted for five of their 12 league goals so far, and those goals have been worth five points to the team, so without him they would be sitting bottom, and someway adrift of safety.

Meanwhile, Port Vale's inconsistency means they are still looking both up the table and over their shoulder as they have become marooned in mid-table following a mix of wins, draws, and losses.

However, they enjoyed a brilliant win away at Derby County last time out to edge themselves further away from danger, with the influential Ellis Harrison on target again.

The Welshman netted his sixth goal of the season, which put him in a tie for fourth in the goalscoring charts, as he has now scored exactly half of Port Vale's goals in League One this campaign.

Their inconsistency is highlighted from the fact that the win over Derby came after back-to-back to defeats, and their record of four wins, three draws and five defeats suggests that mid-table beckons, but having only just been promoted, finding stability at this level will be more than welcome.

Port Vale League One form:

D

D

W

L

L

W

Port Vale form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

L

W

Forest Green Rovers League One form:

D

L

L

L

W

L

Forest Green Rovers form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

W

L

Team News

Wickham missed Forest Green's trip to Peterborough on Tuesday with a knock picked up last weekend, and with their two key attacking threats from last season, Mathew Stevens and Jamille Matt, also out injured, manager Ian Burchnall will need Wickham back for the trip to Stoke-on-Trent.

Defender Jordan Taylor-Moore also missed out in midweek following a minor injury picked up against Bolton Wanderers, as Oliver Casey took his place in the starting lineup alongside Baily Cargill, who started just his second game since August.

Sheffield United loanee Harry Boyes made his first appearance for the club in midweek as a second-half substitute after injury had disrupted his pre-season, and he could replace Kyle McAllister as a more natural option at left wing-back.

Midfielder Reece Brown was substituted after just 13 minutes on Tuesday so may miss out here, and Udoka Godwin-Malife is the other current injury absentee for Forest Green this weekend.

Darrell Clarke has a few injury concerns for this tie, as Port Vale will remain without Belgian midfielder Funso Ojo and striker Jamie Proctor as they continue to recover from hamstring and hip injuries respectively.

However, two players close to returning are Harry Charsley and Rory Holden, and even though neither were regular starters at the beginning of the season, Port Vale now have six games in 16 days, so will need as many reinforcements at their disposal as possible.

Following such an impressive victory at the weekend, Clarke may opt for an unchanged starting XI here at Vale Park.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Stevens; Smith, Forrester, Jones; Massey, Walker, Conlon, McCarron, Garrity; Wilson, Harrison

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

McGee; Marques, Casey, Cargill; O'Keeffe, Stevenson, Hendry, Little, Boyes; Wickham, March

We say: Port Vale 2-1 Forest Green Rovers

Port Vale have won three of their last five games, including that impressive win at Pride Park last weekend, and while they may not have the most potent attack, they face a Forest Green side who have been very generous in giving up goals.

Previews by email