“Both Have Reasons To Come Into This With Optimism” – The Real EFL Pundits Predict Cheltenham Town Vs Port Vale

In a game with serious implications on the fight for survival, Port Vale travel to Whaddon Road to take on Cheltenham Town.

It’s arguably the game of the weekend in the third tier as 22nd take on 21st in a match which should give us plenty of pointers on how the fight for relegation will turn out.

Cheltenham go into the game in stellar form, with back-to-back wins over Cambridge United and Blackpool respectively. The job which Darrell Clarke has done since since taking the managerial post is nothing short of remarkable and the Robins are currently playing some of their best football of the season at the minute.

They’ll be looking to make it three wins on the bounce as they face an out-of-sorts Port Vale who have slipped into the relegation zone after failing to win any of their last six league games. The Valiants’ chances have however been dealt a major boost through the hire of new manager Darren Moore.

Moore brings plenty of experience to the club and it does come as somewhat of a surprise that he’s gone to a team battling for survival in League One. Nonetheless, Vale fans will be hoping that there is a new manager ‘bounce’ and that they can take all three points from this pivotal fixture.

Cheltenham should however pose them plenty of problems, and their dominant display against Blackpool on Tuesday night emphasises the Robins’ current direction.

Here’s how two of The Real EFL writer’s team see the game playing out…

Ivan Newsome

“This is arguably one of the most important games of the season for each side, and it’s a game which can only be described as a six-pointer. Cheltenham have the opportunity to leapfrog Port Vale with a win, however it will not be an easy task.

It’s the start of a new era for Port Vale and an exciting one at that, with Darren Moore now at the helm and he’s been given extra time with the squad after their game against Peterborough was postponed on Tuesday night. Vale fans will certainly be hoping they can get a new manager bounce from the appointment, and it’s the ideal opportunity based on the two teams’ league position.

That being said, it may take some time for Moore to implement his tactics into his side and they do face an in-form Cheltenham. I actually see the Robins winning this one and in a fairly comfortable manner as well, based on their recent performances.

Cheltenham Town 2-0 Port Vale

Charlie Beeston

“In what is a major game for both sides, Cheltenham and Port Vale are both going to be eyeing this up as a game that they could and should be winning. By that logic, a draw for sure. However, both have reasons to come into this with optimism. Darrel Clarke’s side come into this off the back of two consecutive victories which has seen them move into real contention of staying up. The worry for them however is that they’ve been here before. When Clarke first came in, Cheltenham saw their form took a major turn for the better, yet that failed to last consistently, losing the three games before this little run.

For Port Vale, they have a new man in the dugout, in the form of last season’s play-off winning manager Darren Moore. Whether he is able to save the Valiants from the drop is yet to be seen, however, bringing a manager with a CV such as Moore’s will provide the players and supporters confidence. Also, with their midweek trip to Peterborough,the side that Darren Moore completed the unthinkable playoff comeback against, called off, more time on the training pitch will have been welcomed by the former Sheffield Wednesday man.

Therefore, I see this little run by Cheltenham ending, and Port Vale picking up all three points.”

Cheltenham Town 0-2 Port Vale

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