Port Vale will look to pull off an EFL Cup giant-killing when they play host to Arsenal in the third round on Wednesday night.
After getting past Blackpool in round one, Port Vale then caused a mini-upset by getting the better of big-spending Birmingham in the second round.
Last time out, Darren Moore’s men made it back-to-back wins in English League One with a dramatic 2-1 success over Mansfield.
Therefore, the hosts should be in high spirits ahead of a visit from star-studded Arsenal this midweek.
Mikel Arteta’s men will come into this clash after hitting a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw with Man City at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Gunners will now switch their attention to a competition that they have somewhat surprisingly only won twice in their history – and not since way back in 1993.
How the bookies view it: Arsenal to march on
As expected, the bookies consider this to be a real mismatch, with a home win a whopping 22/1 on Boylesports while the 90-minute draw at Vale Park is also considered unlikely at 17/2 with the same firm.
Arsenal are heavy odds-on favourites at 1/9 with Boylesports to seal their passage to the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Head to head: A rare encounter
Port Vale and Arsenal will cross paths for the first time since contesting an FA Cup tie way back in 1998, with the pair playing out a 1-1 draw on that occasion.
Players to watch: Another goal for Gabriel?
Gabriel Martinelli has come off the bench to score in each of Arsenal's last two matches, making the Brazilian forward an attractive anytime goalscorer option here at 11/8 on Bet365.
Devante Cole has three goals in as many games for Port Vale in English League One this season. The former Motherwell man is as big as 6/1 (Bet365) to make the net bulge on Wednesday night.
Predicted line-ups
Port Vale boss Moore will be unable to call upon the services of injured trio Kyle John, Liam Gordon and Mitch Clark.
Arsenal boss Arteta is expected to shuffle his pack on Wednesday night, with Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly among those likely to be given some game time here.
Port Vale: Gauci; Humphreys, Debrah, Heneghan; Gabriel, Croasdale, Garrity, Byers, Shorrock; Cole, Curtis
Arsenal: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Rice; Saka, Martinelli, Eze
Anything else catch the eye?
Given the gulf in quality between the two teams, backing Arsenal to win alongside keeping a clean sheet merits support here at 7/10 on Boylesports.
The Gunners have managed to keep the back door shut in each of their four victories across all competitions this season, all of which were against opposition far superior to that of Port Vale.
Backing Arteta’s side to win both halves of the game also holds plenty of appeal at 20/23 with the same bookmaker.
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