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

The winner of the midweek cup tie will go on to face National League outfit Maidstone United at the start of January.

Match preview

Port Vale managed to take the second-round tie back to Vale Park after Funso Ojo scored his 76th-minute spot-kick to cancel out Jamie Reid's opener.

Despite following that 1-1 draw with an EFL Trophy exit, the Valiants will head into the midweek contest in a positive mood after they edged out Exeter City at the weekend to end an 11-game winless league run.

Ollie Arblaster's first-half effort proved enough to guide Andy Crosby's side to a narrow 1-0 win and their first league victory since September 16.

After climbing up to 17th place and four points clear of the drop zone, Port Vale will turn their attention to Tuesday's replay, where they have the chance to reach the third round for the second time in three seasons.

However, their hopes of claiming a victory may be slightly dampened by the fact they have failed to win any of their last six competitive home games in regulation time.

Stevenage, meanwhile, are looking to extend an 11-game unbeaten run (W7, D4) that started with a goalless draw in October's league meeting with Port Vale.

In contrast to their opponents, Steve Evans's side are fighting towards the top of the League One table after collecting 39 points from 21 games to leave them in third place following the weekend's round of matches.

Third-placed Stevenage came from behind in Saturday's away fixture against Burton Albion, with a Kane Hemmings equaliser and a Reid penalty guiding them to a narrow 2-1 win at the Pirelli Stadium.

Stevenage will be hoping to claim another victory on Tuesday as they bid to reach the third round for a second straight season after making their way to round four in the 2022-23 campaign.

The visitors have certainly enjoyed themselves in recent road trips, having won each of their last three away league matches, while keeping two clean sheets in that period.

Port Vale FA Cup form:

D

W

D

Port Vale form (all competitions):

W

L

L

D

L

W

Stevenage FA Cup form:

W

D

Stevenage form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

D

W

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Team News

Port Vale are still without the injured quartet of Mitchell Clark, Dan Jones, James Wilson and Josh Thomas.

Arblaster will retain his place in the Port Vale midfield after he marked his return from a two-game injury absence by scoring the winning goal against Exeter.

Uche Ikpeazu was introduced as a half-time substitute at the weekend, and he could be given the chance to lead the line on Tuesday.

As for Stevenage, defender Nathan Thompson is likely to be ruled out for a third consecutive game after being forced off in a 2-2 draw against Peterborough United last month.

The visitors also have doubts over the availability of defender Finley Burns and midfielder Harvey White due to injury issues.

Evans could be tempted to rotate his squad, with Alex MacDonald, Ben Thompson, Jordan Roberts and Elliott List all in contention to start Tuesday's cup fixture.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Debrah, Lowe, Smith; Sang, Ojo, Arblaster, Grant; Garrity, Chislett; Ikpeazu

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; Vancooten, Piergianni, Sweeney; James-Wildin, MacDonald, B. Thompson, Butler; Roberts; List, Reid

We say: Port Vale 1-2 Stevenage

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