Port Vale could move into the League Two automatic promotion places if they beat Newport County at Vale Park on Monday.
As for the visitors, they are playing for pride after a run of three consecutive defeats ended their playoff hopes.
Match preview
© Reuters
Northampton Town's 1-1 draw against Exeter City on Saturday has opened the door for Port Vale to move back into the top three.
However, it is far from a straight battle between themselves and Northampton, as Bristol Rovers also sit two points ahead of the Valiants, while Mansfield Town are level on points with Vale, although the Stags have a poorer goal difference.
If they are to earn promotion, then Monday's hosts need a response after back-to-back defeats saw Port Vale drop out of the automatic promotion places.
In their last outing, goals from Sam Perry and Emmanuel Osadebe proved enough to help Walsall condemn the Valiants to a 2-0 defeat, which ended a run of four consecutive away victories.
Although they will be aiming for promotion, Vale's spot in the playoffs is not yet secured, with eighth-placed Sutton United two points behind.
Newport, meanwhile, have endured a poor run of form at the wrong time, with their last seven matches yielding one win, while they have also lost their previous three games.
The recent failure to pick up points has seen Newport's hopes of a playoff finish dissipate, but Monday's visitors will still be aiming to finish the season with a couple of positive results.
They had the chance to pick up three points over Colchester United in their last outing after Dom Telford gave the Exiles the lead before half time, however, second-half strikes from John Akinde and Noah Chilvers turned the game on its head as Colchester clinched a 2-1 victory.
That result condemned Newport to their fourth consecutive home defeat, so James Rowberry's side may be grateful to head on their travels to face Port Vale on Monday.
The visitors have the chance to claim a league double over their opponents after they came from a goal down to beat Port Vale 2-1 in the reverse fixture.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- L
- D
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Tom Conlon remains out for the hosts due to an Achilles injury, but Port Vale were boosted by the return of Tom Pett against Walsall.
In Vale's most recent contest, James Gibbons made his first appearance in a matchday squad since the beginning of March, although he had to settle for being an unused substitute, and the 24-year-old is expected to be on the bench once again on Monday.
Jamie Proctor has top-scored for the Valiants in League Two this term, and he will continue to feature in the forward line alongside James Wilson.
As for the visitors, they are without Robbie Willmott who is sidelined with a knee problem, while James Clarke is a doubt after missing Newport's most recent outing.
Oliver Cooper returned from injury to feature as a second-half substitute in the defeat to Colchester, and the Swansea loanee is expected to be on the bench on Monday.
Meanwhile, Josh Pask is expected to keep his place in the side after coming into the backline against the U's to partner Mickey Demetriou in the centre of defence.
Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Stone; Smith, Hall, Martin; Worrall, Charsley, Garrity, Pett, Benning; Wilson, Proctor
Newport County possible starting lineup:
Day; Norman, Pask, Demetriou, Lewis; Waite, Bennett, Dolan, Azaz; Telford, Street
We say: Port Vale 2-1 Newport County
Although Port Vale have lost their last two matches, we think that the possibility of moving back into the top three will drive them to a narrow victory over a Newport side who have won just one of their last seven games.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Port Vale win with a probability of 42.82%. A win for Newport County had a probability of 30.02% and a draw had a probability of 27.2%.
The most likely scoreline for a Port Vale win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.86%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.66%) and 2-0 (8%). The likeliest Newport County win was 0-1 (9.52%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.83%). The actual scoreline of 1-2 was predicted with a 6.9% likelihood.
