Port Vale vs Crewe Alexandra Prediction: Expect goals in top-of-the-table clash

Monday night pits two of the top sides in League 2 against each other, as third-placed Crewe Alexandra head to leaders Port Vale. This is a huge test for the visitors, who have met just three of the top nine so far this season. They face a Vale side who have four home victories to their name this term, although they did fall to a 3-2 defeat against fourth-placed Doncaster Rovers.

Who will come out of Monday’s encounter with their promotion hopes enhanced? Read on for my Port Vale vs Crewe Alexandra prediction, alongside team news and match odds.

Team News

Port Vale have a clean bill of health for Monday night’s encounter, so they’re expected to start with a 3-4-1-2 set-up, with in-form Rico Richards behind the front two.

Football Odds

Crewe have no injury concerns going into this contest, but they are without the suspended Chris Long, who was sent off last weekend.

Port Vale vs Crewe Alexandra Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Port Vale vs Crewe Alexandra page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Vale are 4/5 to take on three points on home turf, giving them an implied win probability of 55.6%, with the draw available at 11/5, and a victory for the Railwaymen priced at 100/30.

Both Teams to Score - Yes @ 11/10

Given the value available, goals are the way to go in this clash. Both sides head into the game in fantastic form, with Port Vale winning 10 of 16 games this season.

The hosts have scored 1.7 goals per game at their own ground, failing to score just once.

Crewe have scored in all but one of their away trips, while they’ve netted 19 goals across their 15 League 2 games so far.

Across all competitions, they’ve scored in eight consecutive away trips. However, three of their last four on the road have also seen both teams score.

Eight of Port Vale’s last nine home matches have finished with both teams scoring, including each of their previous six.

They’ve shipped eight goals in seven home league games, so it’s fair to expect entertainment in this clash.

Both teams to score appeals at 11/10, as does a 1-1 correct score at 11/2. Crewe’s visits to Doncaster and Walsall have both finished with that scoreline, so back the pair to settle for a point.

Player to Receive a Card - Ryan Cooney (CRE) @ 2/1

In addition to goals, back cards at Vale Park on Monday night. Ryan Cooney is a standout candidate, with the wing-back asked to do a lot of work on Crewe’s right-hand side.

He’s picked up four bookings already this season, which have come in his last six appearances for the League 2 outfit.

The wing-back has been cautioned in their previous two visits to sides in the top seven, while he heads into this contest having been booked in each of his last three starts.

Cooney heads into this game priced at 2/1 to pick up another card and he’ll be matching up directly with Ronan Curtis down that flank.

Offers

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