Burton Albion v Port Vale preview: it’s FA Cup second round time – will the Valiants prevail against League One Burton? Here’s our preview…
Match details
Details:
Burton Albion v Port Vale, FA Cup second round
Pirelli stadium
Saturday 4th December, 3pm
Last time we met?
The two sides met in the League Cup back in 2019 at Vale Park. It ended in a 2-1 loss for the Valiants with Mark Cullen scoring Vale’s goal. The two sides have never met in the FA Cup.
Overall record:
5 Vale wins, 3 draws and 4 defeats.
Pre-match quotes
There’s loads of games and injuries in the squad. We are where we are and we adapt… we don’t use injuries as an excuse…
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke
Valiants team news
After manager Darrell Clarke acknowledged the club’s injury problems upfront, the Vale will be keen that Dennis Politic’s injury sustained in midweek is only a minor one. Politic is one of only three fit Vale forwards alongside Devante Rodney and Tuesday’s goalscorer David Amoo. Missing will be Jamie Proctor, James Wilson and George Lloyd.
Jake Taylor looks set to miss out again in midfield but captain Tom Conlon returned after suspension in midweek.
In defence, veteran Leon Legge is pushing for a recall but Darrell Clarke may continue with his regular back three of Cass, Smith and Jones.
Opposition team news
Burton have no fresh injury concerns and manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is expected to name a strong starting line-up for this second round tie.
One to watch: Teenager Daniel Jebbison has three goals in his last two appearances.
Man in charge: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
- Age: 49
- Games in charge: 49
- Win ratio: 47%
The former Dutch International is back for a second spell at Burton having previous managed them between 2014 and 2015.
Recent form…
Port Vale
Vale managed to end their mini slump after a win at home to Hartlepool and a midweek draw to League One Rotherham.
Form (all competitions):
D-W-L-L-D
Top scorer (all competitions):
Proctor, Wilson (7)
The opposition
Burton have comfortably won their last two games, putting six past Accrington and Doncaster without conceding any in return.
Form (all competitions) :
W-W-L-L-W
Top scorer (all competitions):
Jebbison (6)
Vintage connection
Utility man Colin Daniel has had spells with both clubs. The wide player signed for the Valiants in 2014 after leaving Mansfield Town. He earned something of a reputation as a super sub while at Vale Park, scoring six times in 48 games during a two year stay at the club.
After spells with Blackpool and Peterborough United, Daniel joined Burton in 2019 and he played sixty games and scored one during a two year stay with the club. In the summer of 2021, he moved on to Exeter City.
From the archives
We couldn’t write a preview and miss this game out…
Potted history
The club were founded in 1950 and reached the Conference National in 2001. After seven seasons managed by Nigel Clough, they won promotion to the Football League in 2009. In 2016, they reached the Championship where they had a two season spell before being relegated back to League One in 2018.
Were you paying attention?
Here’s a quick quiz on the opponents:
- Who is the current Burton Albion manager?
- When were Burton Albion founded?
- In what year did they reach the Football League?
- Which striker scored for Vale in the clubs’ last meeting?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
- 1950
- 2009
- Mark Cullen
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