The Valiants return to Vale Park this afternoon to host Macclesfield Town as Askey’s men look to begin the New Year with another three points. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Port Vale vs Macclesfield Town
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Wednesday 1st January 2020
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Ben Toner
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: LDDDW
Top Goal Scorer: Jake Taylor (6 goals)
The Vale head into this one without defeat in their last four in League Two and full of confidence following some impressive displays of late, their most recent coming in a 2-0 win over table-topping Swindon Town on Sunday.
Askey’s side currently sit in an encouraging 10th place heading into the New Year, and three points this afternoon could see the Valiants move to within just one point of the play-off places depending on other results.
Emmanuel Oyeleke and Adam Crookes remain sidelined with long-term injuries, yet Shaun Brisley returned to the squad on Sunday following his injury, along with Tom Conlon who was an unused substitute after returning from suspension. A yellow card for James Gibbons during the win over Swindon was his ninth of the campaign, meaning one for the Vale right-back will result in suspension.
“All the lads know that if we get three points then we’re in a great position.”
John Askey, Port Vale Manager
Macclesfield Town
Manager: Daryl McMahon
Form: DDDDL
Top Goal Scorer: Theo Archibald (6 goals)
It’s been a tough couple of months for this afternoon’s visitors, the Silkmen are currently without a win since mid-October, drawing five and losing five of their last ten matches in all competitions.
To make matters worse for Macclesfield, they were docked six points by the EFL over financial issues last month putting them at real risk of a relegation battle as they now sit in 22nd place, just two points above bottom club, Stevenage.
Theo Archibald hasn’t featured for the Silkmen since he was substituted in the 0-0 against Mansfield last month, Theo Vassell also hasn’t been in the squad since their draw with the Stags, both unlikely to feature due to injury.
One to watch: Emmanuel Osadebe
Emmanuel Osadebe started his playing career at then-local side Dundalk before moving to North London to join Tottenham Hotspur as part of their Foundation College Programme. He finally secured professional football with Gillingham, signing a contract there in 2015.
After two years in Kent, Osadebe moved to Cambridge United where he would stay for another two years before moving to Moss Rose last summer; the midfielder enjoyed a brief loan spell at Newport County in 2018.
The Irish midfielder has played an integral part in the Macclesfield side so far this season, featuring in 26 of the side’s 28 matches in all competitions, also popping up with four goals for the Silkmen – his most recent coming against the Valiants in October.
Talk
Port Vale: “We’ve got to follow it up and the attitude has got to be the same when you play the likes of Macclesfield as it is when you’re playing the top teams, so hopefully we can do that."
Coverage
iFollow the Vale will be providing full 90minute commentary from the match, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
You can watch the game LIVE from your home by purchasing the iFollow video Match Pass for £10.
There will also be the build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts; officialpvfc
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.