Port Vale v Salford preview – can Moore’s men continue unbeaten 2025 run?

Cn the Valiants make it four successive home League wins in a row? Here’s our preview of their next game…

The Vale perspective

Form

The Valiants are unbeaten in the League this year and although their form is yet to match their purple patch earlier in the season they have showed resilience and the ability to grind out results, especially at home.

Fitness

There’s been a triple whammy in recent hours. Darren Moore revealed during his press conference that Jaheim Headley and Ben Garrity will definitely miss out while Jayden Stockley is also a doubt. The trip are a key part of the starting eleven so it’s naturally a big blow to the side.

Team selection

So, with that injury news, there are certainly going to be changes to the Vale starting eleven. Jack Shorrock could start in place of Headley on the left and Ronan Curtis will deputise if Jayden Stockley misses out. The big question will be – who replaces Garrity? Ethan Chislett would be the first choice of many fans but Darren Moore has suggested he’s a bit off the pace after his absence for family reasons. So, it’s possible Moore may opt for Rico Richards with Chislett left on the bench.

Viewing guide

UK viewers will not be able to see this game on Sky+ as it’s a 3pm kick-off and subject to blackout restrictions. Viewers abroad need to obtain a pass from the club’s new PVTV service.

The opposition

Man in charge

43 year-old Karl Robinson is now in charge of his fourth club. He began his managerial career at MK Dons, where he won promotion and then had spells with Charlton Athletic and Oxford United. He was appointed Salford boss in January and he has won 23 of 59 games in charge.

Form

After an excellent run of form in December, Salford’s form has tailed off dramatically in 2025. They have won just once in the League since January 4th. They are winless in their last three away fixtures.

Team news

Ossama Ashley, Tom Edwards, Kelly Nmai, Ben Woodburn, Dan Chesters, Liam Shephard and Josh Austerfield are all injury doubts for this game.

Connections

Current connections

Port Vale’s summer signing Lorent Tolaj spent a loan spell with Salford back in 2012. The striker made seventeen appearances scoring a single goal. Defender Dan Jones is another Vale player with Salford connections. The defender spent two years with Salford but only made six appearances after being loaned out on two occasions. Finally, veteran midfielder Jason Lowe was snapped up last summer after being released by Salford.

Vintage connections

Over the years there have been a number of players to feature for both clubs. The list includes goalkeeper Chris Neal, forward Devante Rodney, defender Theo Vassell and midfielder Danny Whitehead.

Featured connection

Striker James Wilson was released by the Valiants at the end of last season. A talented frontman when fit, Wilson hit top form at the tail end of the 2021-22 season and his goals helped inspire Vale to promotion to League One. He was affected by injuries in subsequent seasons and is now on Northampton Town’s books. Prior to his Vale spell he made 35 appearances for Salford, scoring ten times.

History

Last time we met

The clubs last met in a Football League Trophy group stages clash earlier this season. It finished 2-0 to the Vale thanks to a dramatic debut goal from Diamond Edwards and another from striker Ruari Paton. The result matched this season’s result in the League which also finished 2-0 to the Valiants.

Memorable meetings

The two clubs first met in 2019 when it finished in a honourable 1-1 draw with Richie Bennett the scorer of Vale’s first goal against Salford. It wasn’t until the fourth meeting that Vale recorded their first win – a 1-0 victory in 2020 thanks to a Cristian Montano winner. Vale did the double over Salford in the 2020-21 season, winning both fixtures 1-0.

Brief history

The club was founded as Salford Central Mission in 1940 and changed its name to Salford Central in 1947. The club’s nickname, “The Ammies”, stems from their name from the early 1960s to the early 1970s, Salford Amateurs. They changed their name again in 1989 to Salford City.

The club won promotion to the English Football League after winning the 2019 National League play-off final, under the stewardship of Graham Alexander.

Opinion and quiz

Discuss the game

Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans…

Port Vale v Salford match thread

Predict the score

Quiz

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

1. Karl Robinson
2. Lorent Tolaj
3. Salford City 0-2 Port Vale
4. Richie Bennett

The tough one: 5,108

How do you think the match will go for the Valiants? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.