Burton Albion and Port Vale will meet for the third time this season when they go head-to-head in Tuesday's FA Cup first-round replay.
The Brewers won 3-2 in September's league clash, before the two sides played out a goalless draw in the initial cup meeting.
Match preview
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Since facing Port Vale at the beginning of the month, Burton Albion have gone on to lose consecutive matches to Doncaster Rovers and Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy and league respectively.
In their most recent outing against the Cobblers, Burton boss Dino Maamria saw his side go into half time on level terms following a goalless first period, but second-half strikes from Marc Leonard and Sam Hoskins ensured that the Brewers left Sixfields empty-handed.
Disappointingly, Burton have now failed to win in five competitive games since beating Bristol Rovers 4-1 on October 21.
The Brewers have partially struggled in the final third in recent weeks, having failed to trouble the scorers in three of their last four matches.
On a more positive note, the hosts are currently enjoying a six-game unbeaten home run, which will put them in good stead for the midweek clash, as they look to reach the second round for a third consecutive season.
However, rather than the Brewers, Port Vale are hoping it will be them that make the second-round trip to Stevenage at the start of December.
The Valiants, who are aiming to avoid consecutive first-round exits, have gone three competitive games without a win (D2, L1) since beating Mansfield Town to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Port Vale have also failed to win any of their last nine league matches after they were denied all three points in Saturday's eventful away clash with Lincoln City.
After taking a lead into half time following Ben Garrity's opener, Port Vale saw Ollie Arblaster sent off in the opening two minutes of the second period, and while the numbers were quickly evened with Paudie O'Connor's red card, Olamide Shodipo's stoppage-time effort ensured that the Valiants had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Port Vale will now turn their focus to their first away match in the FA Cup since December 2021 when they won 2-1 against none other than Burton Albion.
Team News
The hosts will be without the services of John Brayford, Sam Hughes and Kwadwo Baah, who are all ruled out through injury.
Despite falling to defeat at the weekend, Maamria could opt for consistency and name an unchanged lineup for Tuesday's cup tie.
Forward Bez Lubala will look to add to his four-goal tally for the season when he leads the Burton line against Port Vale.
As for Port Vale, their injury list features Conor Grant, Mitch Clark, Alex Iacovitti, Dan Jones, Kofi Balmer and James Wilson.
They will also be unable to call upon Arblaster, who will serve a one-match ban following his red card at the weekend.
The midfielder's suspension could see Tom Conlon come into the side to make his second start since returning from injury.
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Hamer, Sweeney, Moon, Seddon; Walker, Helm, Powell, Oshilaja, Carayol; Lubala
Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Ripley; Cass, Ojo, Debrah; Sang, Garrity, Conlon, Plant; Chislett, Devine; Ikpeazu
We say: Burton Albion 2-1 Port Vale
Although Burton are winless in five competitive matches, four of those games have taken place away from the Pirelli Stadium.
Having won four of their previous five home encounters, we think that the Brewers will make full use of home advantage to secure their passage to the second round.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
