Port Vale vs Wrexham Prediction: Red Dragons can claim a comfortable victory

League 2 promotion chasers Port Vale suffered first-round eliminations in the EFL Cup and the FA Cup but are still standing after four matches in the EFL Trophy and will strive to spring a surprise when hosting League 1 high flyers Wrexham in their third-round tie at Vale Park on Tuesday night (19:00, Sky Sports+). Vale are sixth in a congested League Two table, having taken 11 points from their last five matches in an unbeaten run. 

Their main focus is on securing promotion and the same can be said for Wrexham, who remained third in League One after Saturday's 2-1 victory away to Crawley. Wrexham's solitary triumph in the EFL Trophy came in 2005, while Vale have won the competition on two occasions (1993 and 2001). Below you can find my Port Vale vs Wrexham predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Port Vale vs Wrexham Odds

Port Vale are 11/4 to win without need of a penalty shootout and 6/4 to advance to the next round. Wrexham are 5/6 to secure the away win and 1/2 to win the tie. 

A fairly lively contest is expected with both teams to score on offer at 4/5. Over 2.5 goals is quoted at 10/11 and under 2.5 at 4/5.

Football Odds

Team News

Vale have not reported any further injuries but James Plant cannot be considered after he headed out on loan to National League side Yeovil. 

Wrexham have no fresh injury concerns but Callum Burton, Luke Bolton and Will Boyle remain on the sidelines. 

Wrexham and over 1.5 goals @ 13/10

Wrexham have picked up a winning habit in the EFL Trophy despite relying heavily on fringe players and their immense squad strength should allow them to get the better of Vale in the Potteries. 

The Red Dragons have been big spenders in recent years and completed a couple of major deals last week by snapping up strikers Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez from Reading and Burnley respectively. 

Their second string team would be a hugely competitive League One side and it should be too strong for Vale, irrespective of their hosts' approach to the tie. 

Vale showed excellent fighting spirit and discipline to win 2-1 at home to Accrington on Saturday despite being reduced to 10 men by Tom Sang's 13th-minute red card. 

However, they may have been fatigued by the experience and that could play into the hands of Wrexham, who are likely to ease through to the quarter-finals.

Highest scoring half - second @ 11/10

These teams played out a 1-1 draw in the group stage with both goals coming in the second period and there is scope for another slow burner as they renew acquaintances in the third round. 

Vale boss Darren Moore and Wrexham chief Phil Parkinson are expected to make wholesale changes from the weekend, so it could take a bit of time for the game to settle down. 

However, there is plenty of attacking talent in both camps and that should contribute to a livelier second half as the teams push for a place in the quarter-finals.

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