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

The Valiants, meanwhile, will be desperate to claim all three points after failing to win any of their last eight matches.

Match preview

Darren Moore is still searching for his first point as Port Vale boss, having begun his tenure with consecutive away defeats.

After losing 3-2 to Cheltenham Town in his first game in charge, Moore saw his side fall to a 2-0 defeat in last Saturday's away meeting with Reading.

Having lost six of their last eight games (D2), Port Vale are still searching for their first win since beating Blackpool 3-0 at the end of December.

As a result of their poor form, the Valiants are currently languishing in the drop zone with two points separating them from safety.

With Port Vale in need of some encouragement, they may find it in the fact they claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in their most recent home meeting with Lincoln in October 2022.

In contrast to their hosts, Lincoln head into Saturday's contest in a confident mood after winning three of their last four matches.

Lincoln claimed consecutive victories over Burton Albion and Fleetwood Town, before they played out a 1-1 draw in their away meeting with Charlton.

Michael Skubala's side returned to winning ways last weekend, with Joe Taylor scoring his first goal for the club to secure a narrow 1-0 win against Exeter City.

As a result of that victory, the Imps are now unbeaten in seven league games since losing to Blackpool on New Year's Day.

Although they have enjoyed a fine run of form, the 10th-placed side have struggled to pick up wins on the road, having won just one of their last six away league games (D4, L2).

Port Vale League One form:

L

L

L

D

L

L

Lincoln City League One form:

D

D

W

W

D

W

Team News

Port Vale are unable to call upon the services of Dan Gore and Uche Ikpeazu, while Kacper Lopata may also be absent after missing the defeat to Reading due to injury.

James Plant is closing in on a return following a spell on the sidelines, but it remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old will be ready for Saturday's fixture.

Ben Garrity is in contention to start Saturday's contest after returning from injury to make a substitute appearance last weekend.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Adam Jackson and Freddie Draper, while there is also doubt over the availability of Ethan Hamilton.

Skubala has revealed that Reece Hackett is closing in on a return and could have some role to play in Saturday's home fixture.

Midfielder Teddy Bishop is likely to return to the starting XI after he came off the bench to provide the assist for Taylor's winner last weekend.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Sang, Smith, Debrah, Jones; Lowe, Ojo; Chislett, Garrity, Mighten; Loft

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Roughan, O'Connor, Mitchell; Sorensen, McGrandles, Bishop, Erhahon, Duffy; Taylor, House

We say: Port Vale 1-1 Lincoln City

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