Crewe face Port Vale with neither side enjoying a particularly good vein of form. A run of 3 consecutive league defeats has seen Crewe slide down to 16th in the table, 4 points away from both the play-offs and the relegation zone. Port Vale, meanwhile, are currently tenth but a Crewe win would see the Railwaymen jump above their local rivals.
Crewe Team News:
Crewe’s injury problems may worsen if Luke Varney doesn’t pass a late fitness test on a dead leg. Isaas Osbourne and Ryan Lowe have already been ruled out of the game, though in the returning Tony Grant and Rodney Jack, Crewe have ready made replacements. Michael O’Connor, David Vaughan, Billy Jones, Neil Cox and Lee Matthews remain out through injury. However, Crewe’s defensive injury situation appears to be easing with Jon Otsemobor and Andy Taylor expected to return. Meanwhile, Julien Baudet may make a surprise return after reports of suffering no side effects following training today. Dario is expected to recall Ben Williams in place of midweek cup hero Stuart Tomlinson.
Player to watch: Gary Roberts
The midfielder will play his first league game in 3 weeks following his return from suspension. A midweek outing at Rochdale was ended in the 77th minute with cramp, but the youngster will doubtless be keen to impress in this local derby.
Port Vale Team News:
Vale boss Martin Foyle also has similar concerns with several of his players out. Jason Talbot and Luke Prosser are suspended, whilst Nathan Lowndes and Robin Hulbert are definitely out. Mark McGregor is out, though Michael Husbands should play.
Player to watch: Leon Constantine
The pacey striker is Vale’s top scorer this season with 10 goals. Constantine also leads the way in terms of assists with 5.
Match Facts & Stats
Head to Head: Crewe’s record against Port Vale is unimpressive with just 11 wins in 58 meetings. Vale have won 28 times with 19 draws. Of the 28 meetings at Crewe, Crewe have won just 6, drawn 11 and lost 11.
Crewe’s Top Scorer: Nicky Maynard – 10
Crewe’s Leading Assistsman: Luke Varney – 6
Port Vale’s Top Scorer: Leon Constantine – 10
Port Vale’s Leading Assistsman: Leon Constantine – 5
Port Vale’s Leon Constantine has had the 4th most shots of any player in the division. Of his 44 shots, 23 have been on target, of which 10 have been goals whilst 21 have been off target. Luke Varney has had the most shots for Crewe – 41, of which 23 were on target, 17 off target and 1 hit the woodwork.
Crewe fans are certainly getting value for money this season, with an average of 3.6 goals involved in their team’s games – the highest in the division.
Crewe have scored the most goals in the division – 28
Only Leyton Orient (34) have conceded more goals than Crewe – 30
Ref Watch:
K Woolmer
Match Prediction:
Crewe 2-2 Port Vale