Brentford aim for the last 16 of the FA Cup
The last time the two clubs met in League One was almost seven years ago. This weekend is the first competitive match between Port Vale and Brentford FC since January 2014. As expected, the visitors from London are favoured, as the Bees are already playing in the top flight of English football.
Port Vale, on the other hand, continues to flounder in the lower leagues. In League Two, the fourth English league, the “Valiants” are in one of the four starting positions for the promotion play-offs after the first half of the season, but Port Vale are not among the narrow circle of favourites for promotion. Especially as PVFC have already missed out on promotion in their last four attempts.
In the cup, the “Valiants” will probably have to pull out this weekend. If you take a look at Port Vale’s cup history, meanwhile, there are few arguments to back an underdog pick on the Valiants on Saturday. PVFC have not reached the fourth round of the FA Cup since the 2013/14 season.
Brentford FC, on the other hand, have not been eliminated in the third round of the cup in the last three seasons. It is quite possible that they will also reach the third round of the FA Cup this season. The record against Saturday’s opponents Port Vale speaks in favour of this.
Port Vale – Statistics & current form
Due to the numerous retirements following positive tests, Port Vale FC had not played a competitive match since the second week of December. For the first time after almost a month without a competitive match, PVFC will now return to action in the FA Cup when they host first division side Brentford FC at Vale Park.
The Valiants are aiming for their third win in a row in the FA Cup. Previously, the fourth division side had already beaten teams such as Accrington Stanley (5:1) and Burton Albion (2:1). For the first time in almost eight years, the Valiants are now looking to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup and improve on their poor cup record in recent years.
One of the few arguments to back a prediction on the hosts from Stoke-on-Trent in Port Vale vs Brentford is the attacking power of the fourth division club. Port Vale FC have scored at least one goal in 23 of their last 24 competitive matches. In the cup, the offensive engine was even running at full speed with seven goals in two matches.
Next offensive spectacle from PVFC?
Because none of their recent opponents have been of Brentford FC’s calibre, however, it remains to be seen whether PVFC will back up those stats against the Bees from London. After all, Saturday’s opponents possess a defensive bulwark that will be difficult for the “Valiants” to crack.
In any case, Port Vale have scored only one goal in their last four competitive matches against Brentford FC. Betting fans who nevertheless want to bet on Port Vale vs. Brentford can get odds of up to 2.05 (@Bet365) at the bookmakers. However, bets on this are associated with a lot of risk.
After all, three key players in the Valiants’ attack – Proctor, Wilson and Rodney – will be missing for the cup match against Brentford FC. Proctor’s absence is particularly serious, as the 29-year-old has the most goals this season with six goals and two assists.
Predicted Port Vale line-up:
Covolan – Cass, Smith, Martin – Worrall, Garrity, Pett, Gibbons – Conlon – Politic, Edmundson
Last matches played by Port Vale:
League Two
12/11 2021 – Newport 2 – 1 Port Vale
12/07 2021 – Bristol Rovers 1 – 2 Port Vale
FA Cup
12/04 2021 – Burton 1 – 2 Port Vale
EFL Trophy Final Stage
11/30 2021 – Rotherham (5)1 – 1(3) Port Vale
League Two
11/27 2021 – Port Vale 2 – 0 Hartlepool
Brentford – Statistics & current form
Brentford FC have made a sensational start to the Premier League season and, despite an intermittent dip in form, have so far stayed well clear of the relegation places. The new calendar year started for the Bees with a home win against their table neighbours Aston Villa FC. After defeats against City and Brighton, it was in a way already a small liberation blow.
In the cup, the Bees are now aiming for the next victory and to reach the third round of the FA Cup for the fourth time in a row. The last time Brentford FC were eliminated in the third round of the FA Cup, the Londoners were still playing in the second division. Since then, Brentford have appeared twice in the sixteenth final and once in the last 16 of the FA Cup.
Considering the strength of head coach Thomas Frank’s team in the last two competitive matches, it is obvious that this time, too, the ticket for the round of 32 in the FA Cup will be solved. Among other things, Brentford FC recently defied the leaders from Manchester and narrowly missed out on a point.
Will the series against PVFC continue?
Brentford have only lost three of their nine away games in the English top flight. It is quite possible that this will be continued in the cup. Brentford FC have not lost any of their last five games against Saturday’s opponents. The Londoners have even won four of the five matches against PVFC.
Frank will be forced to start the rotation machine for the cup match in Stoke-on-Trent. Meanwhile, a total of ten players are on the Bees’ list of casualties. Mbeumo, Henry, Jensen and Tenes are still in doubt. Nevertheless, they are unlikely to play in the cup match against PVFC.
Especially as Brentford still have enough quality across the board to compensate for the ten absentees in the cup match against the fourth division club. Meanwhile, if the Londoners progress to the next round of the cup, odds of up to 1.40 are paid on Port Vale vs Brentford for tip 2.
Predicted Brentford line-up:
Cox – Ajer, Jansson, Sorensen – Roerslev, Baptiste, Janelt, Bidstrup, Thompson – Mbuemo, Forss
Last matches played by Brentford:
Premier League
01/02 2022 – Brentford 2 – 1 Aston Villa
12/29 2021 – Brentford 0 – 1 Manchester City
12/26 2021 – Brighton 2 – 0 Brentford
Carabao Cup
12/22 2021 – Brentford 0 – 2 Chelsea London
Premier League
12/10 2021 – Brentford 2 – 1 Watford
Port Vale – Brentford Direct comparison / H2H record
This is the 23rd time the two clubs have met. Brentford lead the head-to-head comparison so far with a record of 10-5-7. An average of 2.45 goals per game has been scored in matches between the two clubs. Brentford FC have won four of their last five competitive matches against Port Vale. The last time they lost to PVFC was almost 15 years ago.
Port Vale – Brentford Tip
Brentford, even with personnel worries, are to be rated more highly than fourth division side Port Vale FC. After all, head coach Thomas Frank has already overcome the injury crisis in the English top flight and celebrated a well-deserved victory against Aston Villa. If he can build on that, the only question this weekend will be how big the win against PVFC will be.
Saturday’s opponents have been without a game for almost a month due to the numerous absences in recent weeks. In terms of match practice, therefore, Brentford FC undoubtedly have the edge. In addition, Brentford’s recent record against Port Vale also speaks in favour of the Londoners.
Port Vale will have to do without the most important players in their attacking department for the cup match against Brentford FC. Three key players from the attack have to rest due to injury. Against the defensive bulwark of the Bees, the “Valiants” therefore face a mammoth task and are – at least statistically – doomed to fail.
We expect a one-sided cup match, which will be clearly dominated by the guests from London already in the first half. Brentford already showed on the last matchday of the Premier League how much potential there is in their squad, which is weakened by replacements. With a bet of six units, our tip for Port Vale vs. Brentford is 2/2 at betting odds of 2.04 on HT/FT:
