It’s time for Port Vale’s highly anticipated trip to the Etihad Stadium for their third round FA Cup clash. Read our in-depth match preview…
Form Guide
Port Vale last six games
- Won: 1
- Drawn: 4
- Lost: 1
- Goals for: 7
- Goals against: 6
Man City last six games
- Won: 4
- Drawn: 0
- Lost: 2
- Goals for: 13
- Goals against: 7
Team news
Team newsPort Vale could well make one change to their starting line-up. Tom Pope (pictured right) was dropped down to the bench for the 2-2 draw with Macclesfield but the veteran is likely to lead the line in the FA Cup third round. The Valiants can otherwise expect to line-up unchanged. Injured duo Adam Crookes and Manny Oyeleke remain on the sidelines. Home side Manchester City may rest some players but such is the wealth of their resources that Vale could still conceivably see themselves facing the likes of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden.
Other news
The Valiants are expected to bank around £350,000 from the tie. Vale fans have snapped up all 8,000 tickets making them the best supported side to visit the Etihad while the club will also receive £50,000 in TV revenue after the game was selected to be broadcast overseas.
Stats
StatsThe two sides have met twenty three times and City have been dominant over the years. They have recorded eighteen wins to Vale’s four with just the solitary draw. However, Vale have had the better of recent clashes including a league double in the 1996-1997 season. The last competitive fixture was in 1999 when it finished 2-1 to City in Division One. Martin Foyle (pictured right) was the goalscorer for the Valiants. The two sides met in the FA Cup in 1991 when it finished 2-1 to City.
Opposition Guide
Reigning Premier League champions and FA Cup holders, Manchester City need few introductions to Vale fans. Managed by Pep Guardiola since 2016 City have players such as Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bryne and David Silva in their ranks. The Etihad stadium holds a capacity of just over 55,000 and has been in operation since 2003.
Connections
ConnectionsOne familiar face to Vale fans will be Paul Harsley (pictured right) who is Head Coach of City’s Elite Development Squad. Harsley is a former Port Vale player of the year who had a two year spell with the club between 2006 and 2008. He made 73 appearances, scoring six goals. Other players to appear for both sides in recent years include midfielder Michael Brown, winger Chris Shuker, defender Andy Hill and striker Darren Beckford.
Pre-match quote
Pre-match quoteIt’s going to be an amazing experience for everyone involved with the club, the players, fans, owners, the staff, it’s going to be an amazing experience.
After being here for three seasons now, they’ve been quite tough as a player and for the fans as well, now the Man City game is something they’re going to enjoy, I think they’ve enjoyed the season as well with how well we’re playing, how hard we’re working for each other and the Man City game is going to be like a reward for everyone.
We’ve got to go there and enjoy the game, not get too drawn into the occasion and focus on our game, just have fun really, that’s the main focus for Saturday, just be able to enjoy your football and enjoy the experience as much as we can.”
Port Vale winger Cristian Montano (right)
Memory match
Port Vale secured a memorable 3-2 away victory back in 1997 thanks to strikes from Mark Snijders. Stewart Talbot and Tony Naylor. In a topsy-turvy game City took the lead on 15 minutes through Gerard Wiekens only for Vale defender Mark Snijders to equalise two minutes later. The home side retook the lead on 41 minutes through Paul Dickov only for Stewart Talbot to net an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. The Valiants then took the lead through Tony Naylor (pictured right) on 50 minutes to secure a memorable away win. It was played in front of 24,554 people.
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