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

Port Vale will look to end a three-game winless run when they welcome Wycombe Wanderers for a League One meeting on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to claim consecutive victories after beating Oxford United 1-0 last time out.

Match preview

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Port Vale's hopes of mounting an ambitious playoff push have been dented in recent weeks, after picking up one point from their last three games.

Following consecutive defeats to Peterborough United and Derby County, the Valiants had to be content with a goalless draw in their away meeting with Cheltenham Town.

The Valiants currently sit in 13th place, and although closing a 10-point gap may prove to be a bridge too far, they can still be pleased with their current position after winning promotion from League Two last term.

While the hosts are looking to end a three-game winless run, they also hoping to avoid a third consecutive home defeat.

Prior to their home losses against Peterborough and Derby, Darrell Clarke's side enjoyed a run of three straight 1-0 home league victories, and they will be aiming to rediscover that form on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Wycombe have only lost two of their last eight games, and both of those defeats came against the two sides currently in the automatic promotion places - Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday.

In their most recent outing, first-half goals from Sam Vokes and Anis Mehmeti guided Wycombe to a 2-0 home victory over Oxford.

As a result of their impressive defensive display against the U's, Gareth Ainsworth's side claimed their 11th clean sheet of the League One season - only three teams have recorded more shutouts in the third tier this term.

Although they have played a game more than sixth-placed Barnsley, with five points separating them from the Tykes, Wycombe are still harbouring hopes of reaching the playoffs.

The Chairboys have the chance to claim consecutive victories on Saturday, and if they are to claim all three points then the first goal could be crucial, as Wycombe have lost all five away league matches where they have conceded first this season.

Team News

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Port Vale could still be without the services of strikers James Wilson and Ellis Harrison, who have been unavailable in recent weeks due to injury issues.

However, the Valiants did strengthen their forward options on transfer deadline day, signing Matty Taylor on loan from Oxford, and he could be given his Port Vale debut against Wycombe.

Tom Conlon has missed the last three games through injury, but Port Vale will be hoping that their captain will be fit enough to at least feature on the bench on Saturday.

As for Wycombe, they will have to replace the nine league goals registered by their top scorer Anis Mehmeti, who completed a move to Championship side Bristol City on the final day of the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, the Chairboys could hand a debut to Chem Campbell, who has joined the club on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After dropping down to the bench for the win over Oxford, Gareth McCleary is expected to return to the starting lineup.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Stevens; Cass, Smith, Donnelly; Worrall, Garrity, Ojo, Benning; Butterworth, Politic, Massey

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; McCarthy, Grimmer, Tafazolli, Obita; Wing, Scowen; Wheeler, Campbell, McCleary; Vokes

We say: Port Vale 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe ended a three-game winless away run with a 3-0 victory over Peterborough in their most recent match on their travels, and we think that they will claim another victory on Saturday when they face a Port Vale side who have lost their last two home matches.

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