Two in-form outfits meet at the JobServe Community Stadium as sixth-place Port Vale look to hold off Play-Off chasers Colchester United in an enticing League Two fixture.
League Two
Our Three Predictions For Colchester United vs Port Vale:
- First Prediction For Colchester United vs Port Vale: Match Result – Draw – 2/1
- Second Prediction For Colchester United vs Port Vale: Under 2.5 Goals – 11/25
- Third Prediction For Colchester United vs Port Vale: Both Teams To Score – Yes – 21/20
First Prediction For Colchester United vs Port Vale: Match Result – Draw – 2/1
All signs for this game point towards a stalemate. Although Colchester have gone on a long unbeaten run that stands at eleven games now, their fortunes in Essex have them as low as fifteenth in the home table. They have, though, rectified this as the campaign has gone on, losing one of their last twelve across all competitions. Their tally of six home draws is only one less than Vale’s record of seven on their travels, with each of their last four games ending level. Losing only four in their eighteen encounters away from Staffordshire, though, gives them the fourth-best away record in League Two. To add further reason for this ending in a draw, Colchester have drawn the joint most games in the EFL (16), while Vale’s record of thirteen is the third highest in the fourth tier. Therefore, a draw feels the likely outcome, leaving both camps relatively happy in pursuit of the same goals.
Second Prediction For Colchester United vs Port Vale: Under 2.5 Goals – 11/25
Games involving Colchester have been starved of more than two goals in recent times, thanks to their excellent defensive record, combined with nicking the odd goal. Each of their March games has ended 1-0 in their favour, while the U’s last six have seen a maximum of two goals a game. Across their last seventeen League Two outings, only three have seen more than the above tally. Vale have seen a similar record at both ends this month, although February was a different story with that six-goal thriller in Wiltshire. Five games in 2025 thus far have exceeded that two-goal tally, though facing such a difficult opposition means that they should be limited in their attacking endeavours. A low-scoring encounter can, therefore, be expected on this basis.
Third Prediction For Colchester United vs Port Vale: Both Teams To Score – Yes – 21/20
Based on their scoring statistics alone, this game doesn’t scream both sides scoring, but there is more than meets the eye. Colchester have only netted 21 in 17 league games this term at home, with almost 20% of that tally coming in their December demolition of Swindon. But by conceding twelve, only two sides have a better home record in that department, with their tally across all venues also ranking third in the fourth tier. Vale have scored 22 in their 18 games on their travels, which is in line with the league average. But by conceding 21, they are slightly better when compared with their divisional rivals in that department. In their last eleven, only once haven’t they scored, while Colchester have found the net in nine games in the same period. A low-scoring encounter with both teams scoring is expected.
Best Odds For Colchester United vs Port Vale
| Bookmaker | Colchester United | Draw | Port Vale |
| MyriadPlay | 19/20 | 2/1 | 14/5 |
| Gentleman Jim | 1/1 | 2/1 | 14/5 |
| Betarno | 1/1 | 2/1 | 12/5 |
The table above shows the latest odds from leading football betting websites.
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head:
Since losing their opening two games of 2025, Colchester have responded with an unbeaten run of eleven games. March in particular has been extremely impressive, winning all three games by a goal to nil. Their opening two games of the month both saw the opposition receive late red cards, while the U’s themselves won in dramatic fashion at MK Dons two weekends ago. After a midweek win over Chesterfield, Harry Anderson scored the only goal of the game with twenty minutes to play at Cheltenham on Saturday for Danny Cowely’s outfit.
Their February form was plagued by draws, but the latter two came against fellow promotion chasers AFC Wimbledon and Notts County. Carlisle, meanwhile, held them to a stalemate on the long trip to Cumbria, but they were victorious over league leaders Walsall and relegation strugglers Tranmere. Two January wins over Morecambe and Bromley followed a similar pattern of single-goal victories, responding resoundingly from consecutive losses to start the New Year.
Port Vale have gone one better in their pursuit of a top-seven finish, remaining unbeaten since the start of 2025. They looked on course to lose that streak at the weekend when Fleetwood took the lead in the 81st-minute winner until Lourent Tolaj netted a last-gasp penalty. That keeps them tucked inside the top seven, crucially with a game in hand, which they get the chance to play on Tuesday evening over some of their Play-Off rivals.
March for the Valiants has been a little disappointing, with all three games ending level. Prior to the trip to Lancashire on Saturday, games against Harrogate and Tranmere also ended in a stalemate. February was much greater, though, with three narrow home wins in a row over Salford, Notts County and Accrington. Tolaj was on target twice at Swindon in a thrilling 3-3 draw, halting the Robins’ four-game winning streak. After a winless December in the league, Darren Moore’s side responded with two wins and two draws to begin 2025.
Meetings between the two have increased in frequency in the past decade, with Colchester leading the head-to-head record by three wins. With all statistics pointing towards a draw, it is of no surprise that the reverse fixture ended level earlier in the campaign. Jesse Debrah put the home side infront ten minutes after being introduced as a substitute, but Samson Tovide found a late equaliser. Vale have won three of the last six encounters between the two, only losing one of the last seven.
Confrontation |
Where To Watch Colchester United vs Port Vale:
Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?
- Location: The JobServe Community Stadium, Colchester
- Date: 11th March, 2025
- TV Channel: Sky Sports+
Probable Lineups For Colchester United vs Port Vale:
Predicted Colchester United Lineup:
- Lineup: Macey, Iandolo, Flanagan, Tucker, Egbo, McDonnell, Edwards, Payne, Gordon, Tovide, Taylor
- Suspended/Injured: Bishop, Oni
- Coach: Danny Cowley
Predicted Port Vale Lineup:
- Lineup: Amos, Hall, Smith, Debrah, Byers, Clark, Walters, Croasdale, Sang, Tolaj, Curtis
- Suspended/Injured: Headley, Richards, Garrity, Stockley
- Coach: Darren Moore
