Port Vale vs Tranmere Predictions

Tranmere’s promotion last season came on the back of several seasons of nearly managing to accomplish the difficult feat, but since they won their spot back in the Football League, they have not looked back. This weekend they make the trip to face off against a Port Vale side who are nervously looking over their shoulder as the danger zone looms large following a poor run of form.

Port Vale go into this match in pretty poor shape and Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at fellow relegation contenders Morecambe underlines just how poor their form is at the moment. The hosts have failed to win any of their previous four matches and, perhaps just as concerning, they have also failed to score in those four matches. A lack of goals is not just a recent phenomenon for them either, as the 27 goals they have managed so far represents the worst offensive record in the division.

Tranmere Rovers’ hopes of a play-off spot have receded on the back of their recent form as they have suffered three defeats in their last five outings. The visitors have managed to get back on track of late and a 2-0 win over Tranmere was followed up with a hard fought 0-0 draw with Cambridge United at the weekend. If Rovers are to claim a spot in the top seven, then they will have to improve on an away record which has seen them manage just three wins in 16 matches on the road.

With both sides in desperate need of three points and neither side wanting to risk defeat, we think that this one could be a pretty cagey affair. The hosts have hardly shone in front of goal of late and the visitors have been poor on the road this season. With this in mind, we cannot see it being a high scoring match, so backing there to be less than 2.5 goals scored represents the best opportunity for a decent return.