Port Vale prepare for a key League Two home fixture against Rochdale this Saturday, October 31, as they aim to improve their position in the table. The match at Vale Park kicks off at 12:30 local time and is the 14th round of the 2026-27 campaign.
Their recent form, however, offers encouragement, with three wins, one draw, and one defeat in their last five outings. The team's next fixture after this is an away trip to face 8th-placed Accrington Stanley on November 7.
Recent form
The sequence began with a 2-0 home win over Mansfield Town on October 6, followed by a 1-0 victory against Grimsby Town on October 10. A 1-1 draw at Gillingham on October 20, where Keyrol Alexis Figueroa Norales scored the equaliser, was then followed by a 1-0 win over Chesterfield on October 17. The run was interrupted last time out by a 2-0 away defeat to York City on October 24, with goals from Zak Johnson and Alex Hunt. The team's goal minutes data shows they have scored a majority of their league goals this season in the second half of matches, a trend they will hope continues. Port Vale have scored six goals and conceded twelve, leaving them with a goal difference of negative six.
Team selection
Port Vale are expected to continue with their 3-5-2 formation. The starting lineup from the Chesterfield win featured Maroši in goal, with a defensive trio of Humphreys, Moon and John. Lawrence-Gabriel and Headley operated as wing-backs, with Dempsey, Walters and Byers in midfield. The forward pairing was Lynch and Figueroa, who scored the equaliser against Gillingham.
Rochdale, who arrive sitting 17th in the table, typically set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape. Their last starting eleven included Sam Waller in goal, with defenders Sherring, Flint and Kaiden Wilson. The midfield featured Tasker, Gilmour, Francis and Hayes, with Adeeko and Middleton supporting striker D'Mani Brown.
The match represents a significant opportunity for Port Vale to close the gap on the teams above them, as they currently trail league leaders Salford City by sixteen points. A win could see them move out of the bottom two, depending on other results. The full League Two standings show the tight nature of the battle at the foot of the table. The game at Vale Park begins at 12:30 on Saturday.
