Preview:Harrogate Town vs. Port Vale - prediction, team news, lineups

With four points from their last two games, Harrogate Town will enter Tuesday's home contest against Port Vale in a confident mood.

The visitors, meanwhile, are also in high spirits as they look to extend their current unbeaten run to nine matches.

Match preview

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The hosts currently sit comfortably in a mid-table position, but they will be aiming to move up the table with a victory on Tuesday.

After winning 3-1 away to Bradford City, Harrogate played out a goalless draw with Barrow in their most recent outing.

Having played four consecutive away matches, Harrogate will now return to the EnviroVent Stadium for back-to-back league contests, starting with Tuesday's fixture against Port Vale.

A defeat to Crawley Town in their last home appearance ended a four-game unbeaten home run, and they will look to begin another undefeated run in midweek.

With 15 of their 22 home goals coming in the second half of contests at the EnviroVent Stadium, the hosts may do their best work in the second period on Tuesday.

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Port Vale enter Tuesday's contest off the back of an eight-game unbeaten run, although they will be slightly frustrated that five of those eight contests have ended level.

After playing out three consecutive draws, the Valiants returned to winning ways thanks to a 2-0 home victory against Stevenage on Saturday.

Two goals in the opening 12 minutes did the trick for Vale, with a Luke O'Neill own goal and a Ryan Edmondson effort helping the hosts to a crucial victory in their quest for a playoff place.

Following that win, Vale head into the midweek encounter in ninth place, with three points separating them from the top seven.

The Valiants tend to start well, having led at half time (15) in more matches than any other side in League Two, but a drop off in the second half of games has halted their progress this season.

Team News

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The hosts are expected to be without Simon Power, Rory McArdle and Calum Kavanagh due to injury issues.

Ryan Fallowfield will retain his place after starting the last two matches following an injury layoff.

Jack Muldoon and Luke Armstrong have scored 10 league goals apiece this season, and the pair will make up the Harrogate forward line on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, David Worrall is an injury doubt after being forced off in the second half of Saturday's contest.

James Gibbons started Vale's last two matches after returning from injury and the 23-year-old is expected to keep his place for the trip to Harrogate.

Ben Garrity has top-scored in the league for Port Vale this term, and the midfielder will be aiming to add to his eight-goal tally on Tuesday.

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Oxley; Burrell, Smith, Sheron; Fallowfield, Thomson, Falkingham, Page; Diamond; Muldoon, Armstrong

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Holy; Smith, Walker, Hall; Amoo, Garrity, Pett, Gibbons; Wilson; Proctor, Edmondson

We say: Harrogate Town 1-2 Port Vale

Port Vale have won the last two meetings between the sides, and with Vale hunting down a playoff place, we think that they will claim another victory over Harrogate on Tuesday.