Preview: Port Vale vs. Exeter City - prediction, team news, lineups

Exeter City will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches when they travel to Vale Park for Saturday's clash with Port Vale.

Meanwhile, the relegation-threatened hosts will be desperate to end their three-game winless run as they look to retain their League One status.

Match preview

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After winning their final two games in March, Port Vale have only been able to take one point from three games since the beginning of April.

The Valiants fell to a 2-0 defeat against Northampton Town, before they played out a goalless draw in last Saturday's home meeting with Wigan Athletic.

Darren Moore's side experienced disappointment in Wednesday's trip to the Weston Homes Stadium, where Peterborough United ran out 3-0 winners to cause Port Vale to drop into the bottom four on goal difference.

Having gone three matches without scoring, Port Vale need to discover a cutting edge in the final third if they are to have any chance of extending their two-year stay in the third tier.

With the Valiants in need of some inspiration, they may be able to draw confidence from the fact that they have won their last two meetings against Exeter via a 1-0 scoreline.

Exeter will travel to Vale Park in a positive mood after they staged a late fightback to snatch a point from Tuesday's away meeting with Leyton Orient.

Millenic Alli scored in the 88th minute to halve the deficit against the O's, before Tom Carroll netted a stoppage-time equaliser to ensure that the contest finished in a 2-2 draw.

Having put together a seven-game unbeaten run, Exeter are sitting in 12th place and one point shy of equalling last season's 56-point tally.

After scoring at least two goals in each of their last three away games, the Grecians will believe that they have the firepower to exploit the weaknesses of a Port Vale side that has the third-worst defensive record in the division.

However, Exeter have tended to struggle in recent trips to Vale Park, having won just one of their previous six away meetings with Port Vale (D2, L3).

Team News

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Port Vale are expected to be without the services of Mitch Clark, Dan Gore, James Wilson and Alex Mighten due to injury.

Ethan Chislett could be recalled to the side after dropping down to the bench for Wednesday's trip to Peterborough.

Defender Deklan Wynne may feature among the substitutes following his recent arrival on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Exeter manager Gary Caldwell may be unable to call upon the attacking duo of Sonny Cox and Mo Eisa.

Jack Aitchison is also a doubt after he was forced off with an injury in the first half of Tuesday's win over Leyton Orient.

Alli could be brought in to replace the forward if he is unable to feature, while there could also be a place in the starting lineup for Luke Harris.

Port Vale possible starting lineup: Ripley; Lowe, Smith, Iacovitti; Plant, Garrity, Ojo, Grant; Chislett; Massey, Loft

Exeter City possible starting lineup: Sinisalo; Sweeney, Aimson, Jules; Rankine, Woods, Carroll, Niskanen; Harris, Cole; Alli

We say: Port Vale 1-1 Exeter City

Port Vale will be targeting three points to boost their survival chances, but we think that the Valiants will have to settle for a draw, with Exeter currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run.

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