Port Vale travel south to Adams Park on Saturday afternoon to face Wycombe Wanderers in Sky Bet League Two following back-to-back home fixtures. You can read all of the important information ahead of the game below...
Fixture: Wycombe Wanderers vs Port Vale
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 24th March 2018
Kick-Off: 3pm
Venue: Adams Park
Preview
Neil Aspin's side are still searching for their first win of 2018, but despite falling to a narrow defeat at home to Exeter City on Tuesday night, there were plenty of encouraging signs to take from the performance.
Vale's recent away trips have come against Barnet and Grimsby Town, with a point being earned on both occasions. The Valiants will be looking to build on that with another positive result.
The two sides last met back in August in what was Vale's first game on home soil during the current campaign, but it was the Chairboys who came out on top that time around. Despite two late goals from Dan Turner and Ben Whitfield, the game ended 3-2 in favour of the visitors.
The Opposition
Wycombe currently occupy the final automatic promotion spot in Sky Bet League Two, with their midweek victory over Crawley Town lifting them up to 3rd spot at the expense of Notts County.
Managed by former Vale favourite, Gareth Ainsworth, they are unbeaten in their last three games with their last defeat coming against Coventry City on the 27th of February.
With 73 goals to their name after 38 games, they are the second highest scorers in the division behind Luton Town. They have lost five matches at Adams Park which will give Vale some added optimism heading into the clash.
One To Watch - Adebayo Akinfenwa
A well known figure in the footballing world, Akinfenwa is capable of bullying defences with his physical attributes and his hold-up play. The 35-year-old is only 5 feet 11 inches tall, but he is a real threat in aerial situations.
He already has 18 goals to his name in all competitions this season, with 'the beast' bagging a brace at Vale Park back in August. During Wycombe's win over Crawley Town last time out, he scored his side's second as they went on to record a 3-2 success.
Having represented several clubs across the Football League in a lengthy career, he brings a wealth of experience to the Chairboys' squad and he will be determined to have an impact this weekend.
Team News
Sam Saunders and Anthony Stewart remain sidelined for Wycombe, but they are edging closer to a return to first-team football. Michael Harriman and Dan Scarr could be in contention after recovering from injuries.
Vale remain without Tom Pope and Antony Kay as the pair recently underwent surgery on hernia problems, while Kjell Knops and Adam Yates remain unavailable until the end of the season.
Talk
Gareth Ainsworth: “I know Neil Aspin well, I played with him and I know he will get his team up for this one. We’ve watched them and have been studying them, and we’ll put something in place and make sure the legs are fresh again for another mammoth job on Saturday.
“Hopefully we can pick the right outfit, the right formation and get the right result on Saturday.”
Neil Aspin: "We're getting to a stage now where we have to win games, certainly over the next couple of weeks. We had a margin for error but now I feel that has gone and we have to win games.
"Wycombe is a tough test. They score goals, they put balls in the box and they are dangerous from set pieces."
Coverage
Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, while the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feed will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be build-up to the game with the official Snapchat account: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.