Port Vale will host League One side, Burton Albion, at Vale Park tonight in the first round of the Carabao Cup. There’s nothing quite like the magic of the cup, and after an exciting start to the ‘New Era’, there is a buzz around the club ahead of the clash. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Port Vale vs Burton Albion
Competition: Carabao Cup
Date: Tuesday 13th August 2019
Kick-Off: 7:45 pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Paul Marsden
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: DD
Top Goal Scorer(s): Tom Pope and David Amoo (1 goal)
The Valiants have the chance to test themselves against a team in the league above this evening after getting off to a strong start to the season, picking up draws against Colchester United and Northampton Town.
Vale will hope to replicate the success of when they last met the Brewers, defeating Clough’s side 1-0 at Vale park in an EFL trophy group stage game. Ricky Miller came off the bench to score the game’s only goal and help Vale finish top of the group.
John Askey will have an opportunity to experiment with his good squad depth, but is still without Ryan Lloyd and new signing Rhys Browne who are sidelined with injuries. Manny Oyeleke is also a doubt following an injury concern. That aside, Askey has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Burton Albion
Manager: Nigel Clough
Form: LW
Top Goal Scorer: Nathan Broadhead (2 goals)
The Brewers know about the magic of the cup very well, having a fairy tale run in the Carabao Cup last season, reaching the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by eventual winners, Manchester City.
On their way to the semi-finals, Burton defeated Shrewsbury Town, Aston Villa, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Middleborough, before Manchester City defeated them on their path to the domestic treble.
Nigel Clough’s side will be looking to replicate their success again this year, starting at Vale Park, where they are still missing midfielder Ben Fox following an ACL injury sustained last season. Forward, David Templeton also remains a doubt following a hip flexor injury.
One to watch: Nathan Broadhead
Broadhead is a young Welsh forward who joined the Brewers on loan from Premier League Everton this summer.
Having joined the Everton academy aged 10, Broadhead is an exciting prospect and is gaining his first taste of senior football this season.
The 21-year-old has represented Wales at under-17,19, 20 and 21 level, scoring five goals in the process.
Broadhead made a quick impact at Burton, scoring both goals in their 2-1 win away at Gillingham last Saturday.
Talk:
John Askey: “It’s [Burton] a good opportunity for the players again, to test themselves against a team in the league above, and they’re quite a strong team as well, so it’s one that the players will look forward to.
Nigel Clough: “We didn’t deserve to lose to Ipswich and getting three points on the board straight after that means we are really looking forward to Port Vale.”
Coverage:
iFollow The Vale will be providing full 90-minute commentary from the match, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be the build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: officialpvfc
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.