Still seeking their first win in the EFL Trophy, Liverpool U21 travel to Port Vale for their third game in the competition. The hosts need a win to keep alive their hopes of progressing from Group D and have shown some good form lately.
It has been a solid campaign so far for Port Vale, who are in the mix for automatic promotion from League Two as they sit second on the table. Although they are third in Group D of the EFL Trophy, things are also looking up in the competition after they claimed a 1-0 victory over Rochdale in their previous fixture.
Port Vale have been in good form lately and head into Tuesday’s clash with just one defeat from their last 11 matches across all competitions. They claimed a 5-1 victory over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on Saturday with James Wilson netting a brace.
Manager Darrell Clark has turned Vale Park into a fortress with Port Vale winning their last six home matches.
It has been a disastrous campaign for Liverpool U21 in the EFL Trophy, they have lost both their matches in Group D. They are rooted to the bottom of the standings and have no chance of progressing to the next round.
It is not just that they have lost their two matches in the competition, the manner of the defeats is likely to be more disappointing to manager Barry Lewtas. First, they were beaten 4-0 by Rochdale before losing 4-1 to Bolton Wanderers in their previous fixture.
Eight goals conceded in just two EFL Trophy matches points to a serious defensive problem while they have also struggled at the other end of the pitch, finding the net just once in both fixtures.
How the bookies view it
Port Vale are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 4/9 by bet365. A victory for Liverpool U21 is valued at 9/2 by Vbet, who are also offering odds of 4/1 for a draw.
Head to head
There has been only one previous meeting between both teams with Port Vale claiming a 4-2 home victory in the EFL Trophy back in 2020.
Players to watch
James Wilson is coming of a hat-trick in his previous fixture and will be the one to watch for Port Vale alongside Jamie Proctor, who has six League Two goals this season. The hosts have scored over 1.5 goals in their last three home matches and that run could be tipped to continue at 46/100.
Elijah Dixon-Bonner has scored the only goal for Liverpool U21 in the EFL Trophy this season and could be worth keeping an eye on. The striker can ensure the young Reds find the net on Tuesday at 1/2 with Vbet.
Anything else catch the eye?
Port Vale have seen BTTS in two of their last three home matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 8/11 with Vbet. There have also been over 3.5 goals in both EFL Trophy matches for Liverpool U21 and Vbet is offering 27/20 for a similar outcome.
Port Vale can also be tipped to earn a win and over 3.5 goals at 2/1 with Vbet.
This EFL Trophy match between Port Vale and Liverpool U21 will be played on Nov 9, 2021 and kick off at 19:00. Check below for our tipsters best Port Vale vs Liverpool U21 prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
