Will Port Vale be promoted to League One?

The last time Port Vale FC were in League One was in 2017. Since then, the Valiants have bumbled around in League Four, missing out on promotion again year after year. Now, for the first time in five years, promotion is within reach. Port Vale FC are, after all, in the final of the promotion play-offs and face Mansfield Town FC at Wembley on Saturday night.

If the best bookmakers have their way, there is no clear favourite in the League Two play-off final. For Mansfield vs. Port Vale, betting odds in the 2.70 range are currently offered for a bet on the winner. If the match ends in a draw during normal time, odds of up to 3.00 are on offer.

The two clubs have already met in the regular season in the first and second legs. Port Vale FC remained unbeaten in both matches against Mansfield. The last time Port Vale met Mansfield almost two months ago, the Valiants even won 3-1. If PVFC win this one too, promotion to League One beckons.

In contrast to the Stags from Mansfield, who successfully mastered the second leg in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs last week, Port Vale FC had to go to penalties in the semi-final second leg against Swindon. Although Port Vale missed two of the first three penalties, the final ticket for the Valiants was still there in the end.

Mansfield – Statistics & current form

Mansfield Town FC are just one step away from promotion to League One. The Stags only punched their ticket for the promotion play-offs on the last matchday of the regular season. However, head coach Nigel Clough’s side produced strong performances in the play-offs and deservedly fought their way into the final.

In the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs, the Stags established a clear balance of power in the first and second legs against Northampton Town. Both matches were won by Clough’s troops, including the recent 1-0 away coup at Northampton. Mansfield Town FC are now unbeaten in six matches in a row.

Mansfield have won four of their last six matches. Meanwhile, if the next win follows, odds of 2.75 on Mansfield vs Port Vale for tip 1. Encouragingly, Mansfield’s recent record against PVFC has seen them lose just one of their last seven competitive matches against the Valiants since March 2019.

Does Mansfield keep the Valiants’ offence in check?

The performance of the back line will set the tone for the final at Wembley. Mansfield have already conceded four goals in first and second round duels with the Valiants this season. Therefore, the Stags are likely to concede a goal in the upcoming promotion final.

In the regular season, an average of 2.60 goals were scored in matches involving Mansfield. It is therefore by no means unreasonable to predict that Mansfield will score more than 2.5 goals in the match against Port Vale. Especially as a bet on this already paid off in the last encounter.

Mansfield head coach Clough will again be using his best line-up for the final at Wembley. Only veteran James Perch will have to take a break due to injury. The Stags are not expected to make any major changes to their starting eleven on Saturday evening.

Predicted Mansfield line-up:
Bishop; Perch, Hawkins, O’Toole, McLaughlin; Longstaff, Wallace, Quinn; Akins, Oates, Bowery

Last Mansfield games:

League Two Playoff
19/05/2022 – Northampton 0 – 1 Mansfield

15/05/2022 – Mansfield 2 – 1 Northampton

League Two
07/05/2022 – Mansfield 2 – 2 Forest Green

02/05/2022 – Salford City 2 – 2 Mansfield

27/04/2022 – Mansfield 2 – 0 Stevenage

Port Vale – Statistics & recent form

The semi-final of the promotion play-offs could not have been more exciting for Port Vale FC. After losing the first leg against Swindon Town, the Valiants made a comeback in the second leg. Port Vale won the second leg 1-0 to force extra time, which ended in a draw. The penalty shootout, however, resulted in a 6-5 win for PVFC.

The Valiants will now get a second chance at promotion back to League One. In the regular season, Port Vale had squandered promotion to the third division in the final stages of the season. In total, Port Vale had lost three of the last four matches in the final spurt of the season.

At least Port Vale FC mastered the last matchday and entered the playoffs with a win against Exeter City. It was the eleventh league win away from home for the Valiants. With a record of 11-6-6, Port Vale were the second best away team in League Two during the regular season. On average, PVFC scored just under 1.39 goals per away game.

Will Port Vale win again against Mansfield?

Good chance the goal rate will be extended in the promotion final at Wembley too. Just how much potential there is in the Valiants’ attack was made clear to final opponents Mansfield Town FC in their second-round clash almost two months ago. Port Vale won 3-1 against the Stags despite trailing at one stage.

One of the success factors was wild card Kian Harratt. The 19-year-old scored two goals for the Valiants after coming on as a substitute and was undoubtedly “Man of the Match” in the second-round duel against Mansfield Town. As with the semi-final second leg against Swindon Town, a starting berth for the youngster is a distinct possibility.

Big changes are not expected in PVFC coach Andy Crosby’s 3-4-1-2 system anyway. Like Mansfield Town, the Valiants will start the promotion final with their best line-up.

Predicted line-up of Port Vale:
Stone; Gibbons, Hall, Smith; Worrall, Pett, Taylor, Benning; Garrity; Wilson, Harratt

Last matches played by Port Vale:

League Two Playoff
20/05/2022 – Port Vale (6)1 – 0(5) Swindon

15/05/2022 – Swindon 2 – 1 Port Vale

League Two
07/05/2022 – Exeter 0 – 1 Port Vale

02/05/2022 – Port Vale 1 – 2 Newport

23/04/2022 – Walsall 2 – 0 Port Vale

Mansfield – Port Vale Direct comparison / H2H balance

In the last 14 matches between the two clubs, the direct comparison is even. Both clubs have recorded four wins each. Five other matches ended in a draw. Port Vale FC have not lost to Mansfield Town FC in either the first or second leg of the regular season.

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw. The second leg, on the other hand, was won by Port Vale with a score of 3-1. Thus, in both games between Mansfield vs. Port Vale, a prediction on “BTS: Yes” paid off.

Mansfield – Port Vale Tip

In the season-ending spurt, Port Vale have squandered direct promotion to League One. With only one win in the last four matchdays, Port Vale had to fear for their participation in the promotion play-offs in the season finale. Only with a win against Exeter City did PVFC punch their ticket to the play-offs.

After an exhausting semi-final against Swindon, in which the Valiants only won the final ticket in a penalty shoot-out, the next chance for promotion to the third division is in the final at Wembley. In contrast, Mansfield made a far better impression in the semi-final. The Stags prevailed over Northampton in the first and second legs.

Mansfield now approach the final match with a broad chest. The Stags have lost just one of their last seven competitive games against their upcoming opponents since March 2019. That defeat came in the last match with the Valiants, in which Mansfield Town FC actually conceded three goals. It is quite possible that the three-goal mark will be broken again this time.

There is enough potential in both attacking departments. With a stake of four units, we therefore dare to bet on Mansfield vs. Port Vale at reasonable odds on over 2.5 goals in the match.