Port Vale vs Southend predictions, betting tips & match preview

Neither side will take much confidence into this game from their starts in domestic league and cup competitions. Port Vale drew their opening league game to Bradford. They were then knocked out of the League Cup by League Two outfit, Carlisle United. Southend will be very disappointed that, despite playing Gillingham twice in 4 days, they could not find a way to beat them in either game at home and lost both games in league and cup 3-1.

Port Vale gave plenty of game time to their new signings in their opening games. Kjel Knops played a full game and got booked on Tuesday night in the League Cup fixture versus Carlisle United. Carlos Saleiro come on for the last 15mins of the game as the Portuguese forward learns the pace of the English game. Jerome Thomas got 45 mins as Vale tried to change the game and attacker Anton Forrester played a full 90 minutes but failed to net in his 1st League Cup game for Port Vale.

Southend will head into this game with absolutely no confidence and Phil Brown has a big job on his hands to change the mindset of his players and get them in a positive frame of mind. They have made some good signings this summer, bringing in known names such as Simon Cox from Reading and Jason Demetriou from Walsall both on free transfers. They’ve bolstered their backline with the signing of Jakub Sokolik and strengthened the right hand side of midfield with the acquisition of Jermaine McGlashan from Gillingham

Clashes between these to at Vale Park always produce a plethora of goals. They have faced each other 9 times here and collectively scored a huge 31 goals averaging 3.44 goals per game with both side averaging over 1 goal a game in these 9 meetings. Port Vale were the 5th best home team last season scoring 43 points. They amassed 35 goals in those 23 games at an average of 1.52 per game. Southend, whilst not prolific winners away from home, knew were the net was last season. They scored 28 goals in 23 games at a rate of 1.21 per game. Along with the Head to Head stats we can see this game having at least a couple of goals. Both Teams to Score looks great value at 10/11 with bet365. Given both teams poor starts we feel this will be cagey and feel the value is in the 1-1 draw at 11/2 with bet365.