Match preview: Wigan Athletic v Port Vale

It’s time for the Football League Trophy and another chance for the Vale to upset opponents from a higher division…

How to watch:

First off, let’s deal with watching this behind closed doors game. It will be available to watch on the iFollow service. Here’s how to watch it…

1. 1. If you don’t have an existing iFollow account sign up here
   2. If you have an existing iFollow account sign in here
   3. When signed in go to this page, select Video packages, select the relevant game and pay
   4. On matchday, go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video

FAQs

Q: Do I have to set up the account/buy the pass on the day of the match?

A: No, you can set up your iFollow account and/or buy your match pass in advance if it is easier. All you need to do then is log onto iFollow on the day of the match go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video.

Q: Can I watch it down the pub?

A: No, it’s illegal to show iFollow streams in public so they would be breaking the law. The service is for private use only.

Q: Can I watch it on the TV screen?

A: The iFollow service is available via an app or a browser. Probably the simplest way to watch it on the TV screen is to watch the stream on a browser and connect your computer to your TV via a HDMI lead. The video and audio should then show on your screen.

Q: What commentary will be provided?

A: Usually commentary from both teams (home and away) is provided. In Vale’s case it is usually the BBC Radio Stoke commentary team. When the match starts, click on the cog on the bottom RH corner to select home or away commentary.

Q: Does Port Vale make money from iFollow?

A: Yes, and in these days of behind closed door matches, the revenue from iFollow can be vital. Clubs like Vale earn around 80% of the cost of an iFollow tickets sold for home games. For away games, the proceeds of the first 500 away tickets go to the home side but after that Vale again take an 80% cut of the revenue.

Q: What about if I still have an issue?

A: If you are experiencing problems with iFollow should contact EFL iFollow by telephone – 0207 8264577 (three hours before kick-off and running until three hours after matches finish) or by email – [email protected] (staffed from 8am to 7pm every day).

Need more information? We have a dedicated forum thread with help and advice right here. There’s also a guide on setting up an iFollow account while here is a guide for season ticket holders redeeming a code

Form guide:

It’s been two goalless games for the Valiants and they also lost their first League game of the season on Saturday. In terms of the FLT, Vale drew their first group game against Tranmere and won it on penalties after ninety minutes. As for Wigan, they have definitely had an up and down season. They lost the first three games and have won the last three. In terms of the FLT, they thrashed a Liverpool U23 side 6-1 in their first group game.

Port Vale team news:

The chatter suggests that Port Vale will once again make wholesale changes for this game. The suggestion is that Tom Pope (pictured) and David Amoo will start after returning from suspension and injury respectively while squad players Alex Hurst and Dan Trickett-Smith could also come into the reckoning. Dino Visser is expected to start in place of Scott Brown. Nathan Smith is expected to be missing as he self isolates while Vale are unlikely to risk the injured Manny Oyeleke. Veterans Scott Brown, Leon Legge and Luke Joyce may all be rested.

Guesswork XI:

Visser – Gibbons, Brisley, Crookes, Montano – Whitehead, Burgess, Trickett-Smith – Hurst, Pope, Amoo

One to watch: Dino Visser had a spectacular start to his Vale FLT career as his saves helped Vale win a penalty shootout. Will he impress again?

Opposition team news:

Wigan’s Olly Crankshaw and Charlie Jolley both scored their first senior goals for the club with doubles in the FLT thrashing of Liverpool and are expected to be involved again on Tuesday night.

Opposition manager:

Well travelled John Sheridan will be well known to many Vale fans. A cultured midfielder in his playing days, Sheridan has managed a multitude of clubs including five spells at Oldham Athletic. He was appointed Wigan manager by the club’s administrators in September.

Connections:

Midfielder Luke Joyce may sit this game out and miss the chance to play against the club where he started his lengthy professional career. Joyce was in the Wigan junior ranks and made his senior debut in 2006, his only appearance for the club. Five hundred odd games later, he is now an established part of the Vale midfield.

Fellow midfielder Danny Whitehead also had a year’s spell with Wigan between 2016 and 2017 but he failed to make a single appearance as he was loaned out before his contract was terminated.

Recent players to have played for both clubs: Midfielder Sam Morsy (pictured), defender Ryan Taylor and forward Geoff Horsfield.

Last time we met:

The two sides last met in January 2016 when it ended in a comprehensive 3-0 home win for Wigan. The previous encounter at Vale Park was a more entertaining affair with Vale triumphing 3-2. The goals came from Anthony Grant, Louis Dodds and Uche Ikpeazu (pictured) while Wigan’s Leon Barnett saw red. The last cup clash between the two was back in 1986 when Vale won a two legged League Cup clash 3-2 on aggregate.