Vale v Rovers match preview 18042022

Gas look to back up Salford win as we prepare to take on Port Vale on Easter Monday!

Rovers return to action on Easter Monday as they travel to the Potteries to take on Port Vale in a crunch promotion encounter. Both teams won on Good Friday; Rovers 1-0 win over Salford was mirrored by a single-goal win for Vale at Hartlepool. Read up ahead of Monday's clash below!

Form Guide

Darrell Clarke's side has been there or thereabouts for most of the season, but they have found a fine run of recent form to move into the automatic places. The Valiants have won eight and drawn one of their last nine games and are looking to close the gap on leaders Forest Green Rovers. Vale currently find themselves in third place in League Two, with 75 points from 42 games.

Danger Men

This season, Port Vale's main goal threat has been from a three-pronged attack of Jamie Proctor, James Wilson and Ben Garritty. All three are in double figures, with Proctor's 12 goals so far just nudging ahead of Wilson and Garritty, with eleven apiece. 

Bradley Walker has picked up 13 yellow cards in 28 games from midfield.  

981d25bacb6bc83ddcea114c6b086c8dY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjQ4NDAxMzk1-2.66063739.jpg

Jamie Proctor of Port Vale

Last Time Out

Rovers lost 2-1 in the rain in December to Port Vale. Sam Finley was shown a straight red card in the 15th minute and Cian Harries joined him for an early bath as we finished with nine men. Aaron Collins scored our goal in the second half.

JMP_Bristol_Rovers_V_Port_Vale_WC-146.jpg

Ref Watch

Craig Hicks is in charge of Monday's fixture at Vale Park - and he was also the man in the middle for the return fixture at The Mem, showing Sam Finley a straight red card and dismissing Cian Harries in the second-half. This will be Hicks' 30th game of the campaign, and his 12th in League Two. He has produced 90 yellow cards (an average of 3.10 per game) and five red cards. Hicks also averages 24 fouls every game. 

Hicks0510.png

 

Betting Preview

EFL sponsors Sky Bet have priced Rovers at 13/5 for the win on Monday afternoon. Rovers can also be backed at 18/1 to win the game 2-0. On the goalscorer markets, Connor Taylor is priced at 18/1 to open the scoring on his return to the Potteries region, whilst Harry Anderson can be backed at 7/1 to score any time throughout the clash.

Odds correct at the time of writing. To bet with Sky Bet please click HERE. Please bet responsibly.

 

Read Time: 3 mins