This League One tie is between two sides looking to get themselves back on track after a string of disappointing results.
Port Vale have been on a pretty poor run recently and they are a bit lucky to be sitting as high as 12th in League One after just one win in their last eight league matches, however, their recent 4-0 FA Cup victory against Hartlepool United will have boosted their confidence going into the festive period.
Although league form has generally been below par, their home record in all competitions is actually quite good with no defeats in their last six matches at Vale Park. Furthermore, before a mini-blip of two defeats in early October, Bruno Ribeiro’s side had been on a six match winning streak at home.
Having said that, if you focus more on league form, despite being unbeaten in four on home turf, they have picked up just six points from a possible 12.
Northampton Town obliterated League Two last season and had already secured promotion in April. However, they have found League One a little bit more difficult as they sit in 17th having seen the momentum from last season evaporate.
It has been even worse for Rob Page’s team in recent weeks and they have lost four consecutive league matches since beating Bury 3-2 back in late October. Goals have certainly been the problem as they have found the back of the net just once in those matches. Given that they suffered defeat in those matches by just a single goal you get the feeling that, if Northampton had a bit more about them in the final third, we could be talking about a great run victories.
Their form on the road following their return to the third tier for the first time since 2009 has been pretty abysmal with just two wins in ten matches. Whilst we talk about them being poor up front, they have also had troubles at the back on their travels with just one clean sheet away from Sixfields all season.
Going into the hectic Christmas schedule, The Cobblers need to sort themselves out quickly, otherwise they will find themselves on a very slippery slope and sliding back towards League Two. That five point gap between Northampton and the relegation spots could narrow very quickly if they are not careful.
As previously mentioned, this is seen as a match between two sides who are struggling a bit at the moment but I think Port Vale are the most likely winners here. For some reason Northampton, despite their atrocious away form, have been given the favourites tag which I cannot see a reason for.
Although Ribeiro’s team have had a lot of draws at Vale Park, the visit of Northampton could be the perfect match to turnaround his side’s fortunes and I would certainly back them at 5/2.
Port Vale’s Birmingham loanee Alex Jones has been catching the eye of many Championship clubs at the moment and The Valiants’ chances of holding on to the 22-year-old are looking slimmer by the day. The former West Bromwich Albion youth player has had a bit of a barren spell recently, but his record of nine goals in 16 League One matches is impressive. With so many scouts watching him, Jones will be determined to show his best and, against a Northampton side who have not kept a clean sheet since September, I would back him to do the business at 15/8.
See more League One tips here.