Port Vale have had a hugely disappointing downward turn in form. Things looked bright for them at the start of the season but have lost their last two league games. So the pressure will be on them to deliver in this one, but this is not an easy game at home against a Crewe side who have managed to remain unbeaten from their three games of the new season. This will be their first trip out on the road actually this term so punters will be a little unsure of how well they will travel. Indeed, Crewe goes as 11/5 underdogs at William Hill against the 6/5 favouritism on Port Vale.
Port Vale Form
Vale opened with a good away win out at Crawley but perhaps the goal that they conceded in that game was an indicator of worse things to come. After that win, Port Vale have suffered back to back defeats against Wycombe and Chesterfield and that means that they have conceded at an average of two goals per game this season. Not a good sign at all for them. In their one home game so far, they at least put up a battle in a 2-3 loss against Wycombe. Where is the next winning coming from though?
Crewe Form
Crewe have started in much better shape with a W1 D2 record so far in the division. They drew their opening two games and then edged out Barnet on home soil last weekend. So they have an unbeaten record to defend, but this will be their first time out on the road this season and that’s always a tricky thing to manage. They aren’t a side which looks like they are particularly full of goals at the moment, although Chris Porter has three league goals for the Railwaymen this season.
Head to Head News
Port Value coasted to a 3-0 home win in this fixture last season and they picked up a point out on the road against Crewe as well. That win last season at Vale Park snapped a three match winless streak that they were on against the Railwaymen. Vale have actually won just two of their last nine games against Crewe (D3 L4). Overall in the head to head, Port Vale boss it with a 34-19 record with 22 drawn matches.
Top Betting Tips
This is likely to be low scoring as Crewe failed to net in both games against Vale last season. Really there is no reason why Crewe are at such a big price, not after the Vale having lost at home already this season. But this is Crewe’s first away game and probably the draw in the match outright is having the most appeal.