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

Boxing Day football brings League One action to Vale Park as Port Vale entertain high-flying Barnsley in a clash of two sides looking to preserve their unbeaten runs.

While the Tykes are looking to get into the playoff mix, the Valiants will seek to open up a wider gap between themselves and teams in the relegation zone.

Match preview

© Reuters

Port Vale played out a 1-1 draw against Wycombe Wanderers in their last league match at Adams Park, as Ben Garrity's late goal saw the Valiants extend their unbeaten run in the league to three matches.   Following the draw, Andy Crosby's side are in 15th place on 26 points after seven wins, five draws and nine defeats, eight points ahead of 21st-placed Reading.   The Valiants won their last home match against Wigan but have secured less than 50% of available points in their home matches this season, picking up 12 points from a possible 27 at Vale Park.   A run of three successive home wins at the start of the season was followed by five consecutive home defeats before the victory against Wigan, which means Port Vale are the only side without a draw on home turf in League One so far.   Recent league meetings between Tuesday's opponents have favoured the Tykes, as the Valiants are without a win in the last four meetings, while Barnsley have three wins in that period.

© Reuters

  Barnsley came from a goal down to win 2-1 against Stevenage in their last league match, with goals from John McAtee and Herbie Kane ensuring they extended their unbeaten streak in League One to five matches.   The win leaves the Tykes in seventh place on 38 points, two points behind Derby County, Oxford United and Stevenage, who are in fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively.   Neill Collins's side's only defeat in their last six games in all competitions was a 2-1 loss to Blackpool in the EFL Trophy on December 5, which saw them exit the competition.   Having lost just one away match this season, the Tykes are the third-best team on the road so far in this campaign, picking up 21 points from a possible 30 on their trips.   Collins's side will go into Tuesday's fixture with a positive feeling, having won their last two matches at Vale Park, scoring four goals and conceding just one.

Team News

© Reuters

The Valiants will remain without the services of Josh Thomas, Mitchell Clark, Dan Jones, Funso Ojo and Ollie Arblaster, who are sidelined with injuries.   Ryan Loft started in attack against Wycombe and is expected to keep his spot in the starting XI on Tuesday, while Nathan Smith, Jason Lowe and Jesse Debrah should be the back three.   After his goal against Stevenage, McAtee is expected to retain his spot in a front two with Barnsley's leading scorer, Devante Cole.    Jordan Williams, Mael de Gevigney and Jamie McCart are expected to form a back three for this fixture.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Smith, Lowe, Debrah; Massey, Garrity, Iacovitti, Sang; Chislett, Devine; Loft

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Roberts; Williams, De Gevigney, McCart; Styles, Kane, Connell, Phillips, O'Keeffe; McAtee, Cole

We say: Port Vale 1-3 Barnsley

Barnsley are one of the best sides on the road this season, losing just one away match so far. While Port Vale might have found their rhythm in recent matches, this test may prove too big for them against a team that has dominated them lately.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.