Preview: Northampton Town vs. Port Vale

Sports Mole previews Monday’s League One clash between Northampton Town and Port Vale, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

A rejuvenated Port Vale side will have the chance to record a third successive win when they travel to Sixfields for Monday’s clash with Northampton Town.

The Cobblers, meanwhile, will be hoping to produce a positive response after falling to a narrow defeat in Friday’s clash with Reading.

Match preview
© Reuters

Northampton went into their away meeting with Reading in a relatively positive mood after they beat promotion-chasing Derby County 1-0 to end a five-game winless run.

Unfortunately for the Cobblers, they were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline on Friday, with Reading’s Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan scoring the only goal of the game to condemn Northampton to their third defeat in fourth matches.

Although they have experienced a dropoff in form in recent times, Jon Brady’s side currently sit in the top half of the League One table with five matches left to play.

After winning promotion from the fourth tier last season, the Cobblers will already be satisfied with how the 2023-24 campaign has panned out, but they will still be determined to finish the season with a strong set of results.

Northampton will be targeting an improved attacking display on Monday, having failed to score more than one goal in any of their last seven matches.

After waiting over two-and-a-half months for their first win of 2024, Port Vale have now collected two victories in as many games.

The Valiants record a narrow 1-0 victory against Burton Albion, before they record a 2-0 win in Friday’s home meeting with Bristol Rovers.

After taking the lead through Ben Garrity, Darren Moore’s side subsequently doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute thanks to an effort from England Under-17 international Baylee Dipepa.

Although there will be a renewed sense of belief around the Port Vale squad, they are still languishing in the relegation zone with one point separating them from 20th-placed Burton Albion, who have played a game more.

The Valiants will now turn their attention to Monday’s away fixture, where they will attempt to complete a league double over the Cobblers after clinching a 1-0 win in September’s meeting at Vale Park.

Northampton Town League One form:

Port Vale League One form:

Team News
© Reuters

Northampton are expected to be without the injured trio of Jordan Willis, Akin Odimayo and Patrick Brough.

Experienced defender Liam Moore is regarded as a doubt after he sat out Friday’s defeat against his former club Reading.

Brady could be tempted to make a couple of changes to his side, with Shaun McWilliams and Kieron Bowie among those pushing for starting spots.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon full-back Mitch Clark and midfielder Dan Gore due to their respective injury issues.

Forward James Wilson is also set to miss out after he was forced off in the opening half-hour against Bristol Rovers.

Dipepa could be presented with a starting opportunity after he came off the bench to replace Wilson and score the second goal in Friday’s 2-0 win.

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Moulden; McGowan, Sherring, Guthrie, Monthe; Leonard, McWilliams, Sowerby; Pinnock, Hoskins, Bowie

Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Ripley; Debrah, Smith, Iacovitti; Sang, Garrity, Ojo, Plant; Chislett, Loft, Dipepa

We say: Northampton Town 0-2 Port Vale
Northampton may be 14 points better off than their opponents, but the momentum is with Port Vale following consecutive victories without conceding.

With the Valiants closing in on safety, we think they will continue their recent form by claiming an away win over a Northampton side that has lost three of their last four games.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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