Two teams in good form will lock horns in Essex on Tuesday night, as Colchester United welcome Port Vale in League Two.
Colchester will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 victory over Morecambe, which moved them into 13th spot in the League Two table, while fourth-placed Port Vale were held to a 1-1 draw by Chesterfield on Saturday afternoon.
Match preview
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Colchester were 1-0 winners over Morecambe on Saturday, with Mandela Egbo netting the only goal of the contest, and Danny Cowley's side have now picked up seven points from their last three matches in England's fourth tier.
The Essex club have a record of seven wins, 13 draws and seven defeats from 27 league matches this season, which has left them in 13th spot in the table, some 13 points clear of the relegation zone and 10 points off the playoff spots.
If Cowley's team can hit a consistent run of form, then it is not impossible to imagine them pushing towards the playoffs, which would be some achievement considering that the U's ended last term down in 22nd spot.
Colchester have been solid in front of their own fans this season, picking up 20 points from 14 matches, suffering only four defeats in the process, but they will be welcoming a Port Vale outfit that have the best away record in the division this term.
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Indeed, Port Vale have been excellent on their travels during the 2024-25 campaign, boasting a record of seven wins, four draws and four defeats from 15 matches, which has seen them collect 25 points.
Darren Moore's team were relegated from League One last term, so it is not a surprise to see them towards the top of the division this term, as they aim to secure an immediate return to the third tier.
Vale are fourth in the table, picking up 45 points from their 27 matches, and they are only one point behind second-placed Crewe Alexandra on the same number of games, with only Walsall pulling clear in terms of the automatic promotion spots.
The visitors will enter this clash off the back of a 1-1 draw with Chesterfield, which extended their unbeaten run to four matches, collecting eight points in the process, with their last defeat coming away to Grimsby Town at the end of December.
Vale suffered a 1-0 defeat on their last visit to Colchester in March 2022, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when the two teams locked horns for the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Team News
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Colchester have not reported any injury problems from their clash with Morecambe on Saturday, and head coach Cowley could therefore name an unchanged side for the clash with Port Vale on Tuesday night.
Jack Payne has had a productive campaign for the Essex club, scoring six goals and registering seven assists in 35 appearances in all competitions, and there will once again be a spot in the number 10 position for the Englishman.
Harry Anderson, meanwhile, will be bidding to add to the three goals that he has scored from a wide midfield role.
As for Port Vale, Mitchell Clark is suspended due to the red card that he suffered against Chesterfield on Saturday afternoon.
Clark's spot is expected to be taken by Thomas Sang, with the 25-year-old set to operate as the right-sided wing-back.
Jayden Stockley has scored six times in 26 appearances for the visitors during the 2024-25 campaign, making him the team's leading goalscorer, and he will once again lead the line for the promotion contenders on Tuesday night.
Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Macey; Egbo, Kelleher, Flanagan, Iandolo; McDonnell, Bishop; Anderson, Payne, Edwards; Simpson
Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Amos; John, Smith, Hall; Sang, Croasdale, Harper, Garrity, Headley; Tolaj, Stockley
We say: Colchester United 0-0 Port Vale
Colchester are in strong form at the moment and have only conceded 10 times in their 14 league matches in front of their own fans this term. Port Vale are the best away team in League Two, but we believe that the hosts will be able to hold them to a goalless draw on Tuesday night.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
