MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 07:03:33| >> :600:1801195:1801195:
[monks data]
Port Vale
League Two | 2nd Leg
May 19, 2022 at 7.45pm UK
Vale Park
Swindon Town

Port Vale
1 - 0
Swindon

Wilson (8')
Wilson (42'), Pett (59')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Iandolo (56'), Conroy (95'), McKirdy (120+1')
Port Vale win 6-5 on penalties

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

Sports Mole previews Thursday's League Two clash between Port Vale and Swindon Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Swindon Town square off against Port Vale on Thursday evening having established a 2-1 lead ahead of the second leg of their League Two playoff semi-final.

Whoever prevails in Staffordshire will set up a Wembley showdown with either Northampton Town or Mansfield Town on May 28.


Match preview

Swindon Town coach Ben Garner reacts on January 7, 2022© Reuters

Despite only securing their playoff spot on the final day of the season, there was no doubting that Swindon had all the momentum ahead into the two semi-final ties.

Ben Garner had witnessed his side post four successive wins to secure a top-seven spot, scoring 10 goals and conceding just twice during that quartet of fixtures.

The Robins continued that form in the first leg at the County Ground on Sunday, two goals from Harry McKirdy putting his side in total control of the tie with a quarter of the contest remaining.

However, James Wilson's effort seven minutes from time has the potential to turn the tide in Port Vale's favour, both clubs aware that this has theoretically become a 50-50 tie.

That will be disputed by a Swindon side who have produced the far better form of late at a time when Port Vale have suffered back-to-back home defeats to Bristol Rovers and Newport County respectively.

Nevertheless, Darrell Clarke's team denied Exeter City the League Two title on the final day of the season, and that result has given them the extra belief required to remain on course for promotion.

What Vale will be wary of is Swindon's spectacular away return during the regular campaign, a total of 43 points from 23 outings the best effort by as many as four points.

One of their 13 victories came in the corresponding fixture back in January, Swindon posting a 3-1 victory at Vale Park having been helped by the first-half dismissal of home goalkeeper Lucas Covolan.

Swindon have scored in each of their last seven fixtures in the fourth tier, whereas Vale have conceded seven times in their last three home matches.

Port Vale League Two form:
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L

Swindon Town League Two form:
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W


Team News

Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke applauds fans after the match on January 8, 2022© Reuters

Having been left unhappy with the level of his team's performance on Sunday, Clarke will contemplate making changes to his Port Vale XI.

Jamie Proctor appears in line to return in attack in place of Ryan Edmondson, while Jake Taylor is also in contention.

Chris Hussey could make his return at left-back or left wing-back if he has shakes off the injury which kept him out of the first leg.

While alternations will likely be made to the home side's team, Garner may be prepared to stick with his previous Swindon starting lineup.

The more defensive-minded Akinwale Odimayo is an option at right-back with Mandela Egbo potentially dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Stone; Smith, Martin, Hall; Worrall, Pett, Garrity, Gibbons; Charsley; Proctor, Wilson

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Ward; Odimayo, Baudry, Conroy, Iandolo; Payne, Reed, Williams; McKirdy, Davison, Barry


SM words green background

We say: Port Vale 1-2 Swindon Town (Swindon to win 4-2 on aggregate)

Back on home territory, Port Vale will fancy their chances of turning things around to earn a spot in the final. However, we cannot ignore Swindon's recent winning streak, a run of results which should provide them with the confidence to move closer to promotion.


For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:486017:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7910:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Port Vale vs Swindon

Port Vale
39.0%
Draw
18.6%
Swindon Town
42.4%
59
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
A general view of the stadium ahead of the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park on Augsut 18, 2013
Read Next:
Crystal Palace youngster joins Monchengladbach
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall19124335191640
2Port Vale2010642619736
3Crewe AlexandraCrewe199732416834
4AFC Wimbledon19103631161533
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster209652823533
6Chesterfield2087535231231
7Grimsby Town2010192730-331
8MK Dons1893630201030
9Gillingham199282016429
10Bradford CityBradford197752419528
11Notts County197752521428
12Salford City197662019127
13Cheltenham TownCheltenham207582728-126
14Bromley195952323024
15BarrowBarrow196581818023
16Newport CountyNewport196582128-723
17Fleetwood TownFleetwood175752322122
18Colchester UnitedColchester1941052322122
19Tranmere RoversTranmere195681426-1221
20Harrogate TownHarrogate2063111730-1321
21Accrington StanleyAccrington184682533-818
22Swindon TownSwindon2037102334-1116
23Morecambe2035121936-1714
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1935111532-1714


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!