Portsmouth v Port Vale preview – can Valiants turn around poor run? It will be a tough ask!
Vale have picked a tough game to turn around their recent poor form as they travel to table-topping Pompey. Here’s our preview.
MATCH PREVIEW
Portsmouth v Port Vale: Saturday October 7th, Fratton Park stadium, League One
PREAMBLE
It was a chastening midweek defeat for the Valiants who had debutant Jesse Debrah dismissed and looked short of threat upfront. So, it was a boost to see Vale act decisively and bring in former loanee Uche Ikpeazu on a deal until the end of the season. Ikpeazu may not bring finesse but he’ll bring pace and power and add to Vale’s options upfront.
The home side are experiencing some selection issues of their own but nevertheless this remains a tricky fixture away against the League leaders.
TEAM NEWS
The Valiants missed Alex Iacovitti in midweek, especially as luckless replacement Jesse Debrah was dismissed in midweek. If Iacovitti isn’t available then one of Kofi Balmer, Dan Jones or (less likely) Jason Lowe could be called into the back three.
Vale started that last game without a recognised forward but that’s likely to change for this game. Returning Uche Ikpeazu’s chances of a start depend on his fitness levels so it’s actually more likely that James Wilson will start with Ikpeazu and Josh Thomas on the bench.
Mitch Clark and Ethan Chislett have both missed recent games and would be welcome returnees but their fitness (or lack of) is currently unknown.
OPPOSITION
The home side sit in top place in League One and have won four straight games in a row. Unbeaten home and away they appear to be a formidable challenge for the Valiants but they have be rocked by the loss of some key personnel ahead of this game.
Players to watch include targetman Colby Bishop, the club’s leading scorer with six goals while experienced midfielder Paddy Lane has three goals from just five starts.
MAN IN CHARGE
It was something of a surprise when Portsmouth opted for John Mousinho in January 2023 as it was the former defender’s first managerial job. However, it looks like the faith was justified as the 37 year-old has taken Pompey to the top of the table with a 49% win ratio from his 37 games in charge.
PAST MEETINGS
The two sides first met in 1924 when the Valiants suffered a 2-0 defeat. It took until 1977 for the Vale to record a win – that came in a 1-0 win at Vale Park thanks to a winning goal from striker Mick Cullerton. The Vale’s last trip to Fratton Park, last season, ended in a 2-2 draw with loanee Matty Taylor and midfielder Funso Ojo on target for the Valiants.
BRIEF HISTORY
Portsmouth were founded in 1898. The team won two consecutive League titles in 1949 and 1950 as well as the FA Cup in 1939 and 2008. Portsmouth are also one of only two English football clubs to have been champions of five professional divisions including the former regional Football League Third Division South championship.
ARCHIVE
Here’s a look at a vintage Portsmouth programme which we featured on this website some years ago. It features a Port Vale trip to Portsmouth in the League Cup back in 1967 and (like many of our League Cup games) it was to end in disappointment.
OVERALL RECORD
9 Port Vale wins
9 draws
19 Port Vale losses
THE QUIZ
Our now traditional match preview quiz. How many will you get. Answers below (no cheating!)…
- Who is the current Portsmouth manager?
- When was the club formed?
- What was the score the last time Vale travelled to Portsmouth?
JOIN THE DEBATE
Our dedicated match thread on the forum is the place to go to discuss the match before, during and after the action. View the thoughts of fellow fans and add your comments…
GO'ARN THE VALE!
Quiz answers:
- John Mousinho
- 1898
- Portsmouth 2-2 Port Vale