Two minute guide to: Port Vale v Luton Town
Here’s our brief guide to Port Vale’s final fixture of 2017 – a home game against Luton Town…
Essentials
Match details
Vale form guide
Vale’s top scorers
Predict the score
News
Match background
Vale have done excellently to stretch their unbeaten run to four games but now they face arguably their toughest test of the season.
Leaders Luton have hit nine goals and conceded none in their last three games and come into the game on the back of a 5-0 win at Swindon Town.
What will the Vale look like?
It’s a tricky one to call. Cristian Montano (right) and Tyrone Barnett seem to be battling for a starting place. Meanwhile if David Worrall and Tom Anderson recover from illness they may also be pushing for a place in the starting eleven. James Gibbons will again be missing through suspension so Joe Davis will continue to deputise.
Pre-match quote
“Knowing we can beat the teams who are up there is definitely a good confidence booster for us and, like I said earlier in the week, if we play well we can beat anyone.I think that goes for anyone in the league. It is a competitive league and, if we put in performances in like that every week, we are definitely going to get the points…”
Defender Nathan Smith
Boss watch
Nathan Jones
The 44 year-old has been in charge since 2016. He boasts a hugely impressive 51% win percentage for the Hatters.
History lesson
Overall record
- Port Vale wins: 11
- Port Vale losses: 17
- Draws: 8
Last time…
The last time we played Luton Town at home was in 2009 when the Valiants lost 3-1 in front of a crowd of 5,689. John McCombe opened the scoring before Vale shipped three goals. Vale’s last home win over the Hatters was way back in 2005 when two goals from Dave Hibbert (right) and another for Lee Matthews gave the Valiants a 3-1 win.
Played for both…
Vale defender Joe Davis will be facing a club for whom he made six appearances on loan in 2013.
Other players to appear for both clubs in recent years include Anthony Grant, Calvin Andrew, Ryan Inniss and George Pilkington.