Burton Albion vs Port Vale Predictions

• Burton have won three of their last five games, with at least two goals in each one
• Port Vale have lost each of their three cup ties against teams from League One this season
• The Valiants have only kept one clean sheet in their last five matches

Burton Should Go Through

This is hardly a David vs Goliath tie, but it is League One at home to League Two and you would expect the hosts, who currently sit in 10th place in the third tier, to have more than enough to book their place in the third round.

The Brewers have won to nil in their last two matches, against Accrington and Doncaster, while of their eleven home games in League One, nine have contained at least two goals.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side have won six of those fixtures and booked their spot in the second round courtesy of an impressive 2-1 win at Fleetwood.

On top of that, they have never lost on the five occasions they have played Port Vale at the Pirelli Stadium and I expect that run to continue in this clash.

Vale Proving Inconsistent

Port Vale went on a run of four wins in a row a few weeks back, but since then they have struggled for form, keeping just one clean sheet in five matches and winning only once.

Darrell Clarke’s side have had problems keeping clean sheets all season on the road. They have conceded 12 times in nine league outings, while away cup ties against League One Bolton and Rotherham have resulted in a 3-2 defeat and 1-1 draw (which they lost on penalties).

Despite a strong showing in League Two, where they sit in the play-offs, The Valiants have shown when they make the step up and face a third tier side, they do not quite have the required quality to win.

Nine of their eleven away games have contained 2+ goals, a trend which will be hard to stop. I predict they will come up short in this one, with Burton getting a 2-0 win.