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

The home side are searching for their first win of 2024, while the Chairboys are looking to extend their unbeaten run to six matches.

Match preview

After rounding off 2023 with a 3-0 win over Blackpool, Port Vale have had to settle for one point from their opening two games of the calendar year.

They fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat in their away clash with Carlisle United, before they fought back on three occasions to take a point off Charlton Athletic.

The Valiants would have been determined to return to winning ways last weekend, but their away trip to Reading was abandoned in the 16th minute after the home supporters invaded the pitch in protest against owner Dai Yongge.

Andy Crosby's side will now return to Vale Park, where they have lost just one of their previous four home league matches (W2, D1), scoring at least two goals in each of those games.

They will be hoping to showcase that firepower in Saturday's contest, as they attempt to beat Wycombe for the first time since cruising to a 4-1 victory in October 2012.

While Wycombe have won two of their last five matches (D3), they will be mindful of the fact that only one of those victories took place in the league, leaving them with one win in their last 15 matches in the third tier (D8, L6).

They ultimately missed out on the chance to claim a precious victory in last Saturday's game against Lincoln City, with the Chairboys conceding in the 98th minute to draw 1-1 at Adams Park.

Although they would have been disappointed to miss out on their fifth home league win of the season, the draw did move them up to 14th place and seven points clear of the drop zone.

Matt Bloomfield's side will now head on the road as they look to claim their first away victory in the third tier since beating Fleetwood Town 4-1 in October.

Saturday's visitors can certainly take confidence from the fact they have won on both of their previous two trips to Vale Park, including a 3-0 victory in their most recent away meeting with Port Vale in February 2023.

Port Vale League One form:

D

L

W

L

D

D

Wycombe Wanderers League One form:

D

L

D

W

D

D

Wycombe Wanderers form (all competitions):

L

D

W

D

W

D

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Team News

Port Vale are expected to be without the services of Ben Garrity, James Plant, Dan Jones, Mitchell Clark and Funso Ojo.

The Valiants can no longer call upon Alfie Devine, who was recalled by Tottenham Hotspur before being loaned out to Championship side Plymouth Argyle.

Rhys Williams could be presented with his Port Vale debut after joining on loan from Liverpool for the remainder of the season.

As for the visitors, they recently confirmed that experienced defender Richard Keogh has left the club by mutual consent.

While Keogh has bid farewell, Chem Campbell has returned on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers after previously spending the second half of last season at Adams Park.

Having scored two goals in his last three league appearances, Welsh striker Sam Vokes is set to retain his place up front.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Smith, Lowe, Williams; Massey, Sang, Weir, Grant; Wilson, Chislett; Ikpeazu

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; Grimmer, Tafazoli, Low, Leahy; Wheeler, Potts; McCleary, Taylor, Sadlier; Vokes

We say: Port Vale 2-2 Wycombe Wanderers

Although Port Vale have lost their last two home games against Wycombe, they did take a point off the Chairboys in December's reverse fixture at Adams Park.

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