Port Vale vs Luton Town. Sky Bet League Two.
Vale ParkAttendance5,523.
Friday 29 December 2017 13:15, UK
Port Vale boss Neil Aspin is expected to choose from an unchanged squad for the home game against Luton.
Aspin has no new injury or suspension worries following his side's home win against Coventry on Boxing Day. Defender James Gibbons sits out the final game of his four-match ban following his second red card of the season in the recent FA Cup defeat at Yeovil.
Defender Kjell Knops (knee) remains a long-term absentee, as does Adam Yates who is recovering from fractures to his nose, cheekbone and eye socket sustained in November.
Luton manager Nathan Jones could be tempted to name an unchanged starting XI for a third straight game. Jones has no major new injury concerns after a 5-0 win at Swindon on Boxing Day but may want to freshen things up for his side's third of four fixtures in the space of 10 days.
Midfielder Harry Cornick is pushing for his first start since recovering from a recent hamstring strain. Defender Jack Stacey sits out the final game of his three-match ban, while Scott Cuthbert (groin) and Alan McCormack (hernia) are still unavailable.
Port Vale have lost four of their last five league matches against Luton (W1); their last league victory over the Hatters came on the opening day of the 2008/09 season at Kenilworth Road (3-1).
Despite losing their previous two home matches against Luton in the Football League, Port Vale have scored in each of their last seven such fixtures against the Hatters at Vale Park, with Luton's last clean coming back in September 1994.
Port Vale have picked up two fewer points after 24 matches this season (28) as they had at this stage last season on their way towards relegation from League One.
Luton have scored 58 goals in their first 24 League Two games this season; of the 11 previous fourth-tier teams to have scored 58+ goals after 24 games, 10 have been promoted, with only Tranmere Rovers in 1964/65 failing to do so.
