The Valiants are back at Vale Park as they host Peterborough United in Sky Bet League One action on Saturday
Vale welcome Posh to Burslem following a 2-2 draw last time out away at Luton Town. Goals from Ben Waine and Devante Cole in either half meant Vale left Kenilworth Road with a well-deserved point.
Press Conference Takeaways
Here’s what the gaffer had to say about this weekend’s clash:
“They’ve got their philosophy in terms of how they see the game and want to play the game.
“A really good, young and energetic team that play on the front foot and want to get the ball down and play, so it’s going to be a good, quick footballing match on Saturday.”
Our Opponents
Peterborough United have been a mainstay in League One, spending 11 out of the last 12 seasons in the division. They did spend one season in the Championship during the 2021/22 season, but were relegated straight away after finishing 22nd.
The visitors have had some recent silverware success, winning back-to-back EFL trophies in 2024 and then this year when they beat Birmingham City at Wembley Stadium.
United currently sit in 19th position in the league, with only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone, having won seven of their nineteen games up to this point. Peterborough hit a good run of form in November, winning four games on the bounce, but began to dip coming into December.
They come into Saturday's game off the back of a 2-1 victory over Northampton Town, where two goals from Harry Leonard secured all three points.
The Opposition Dugout
Luke Williams is the man in charge at Peterborough after he was appointed in late October following the tenure of Darren Ferguson.
Since he has been manager, Williams has won over half of his opening ten games, with the majority of these wins coming in his first four games in charge. Prior to his appointment with the Posh, Luke had spells as manager at both Notts County and, more recently, Swansea City.
Player to Watch
A player for Vale fans to be wary of on Saturday is young striker Harry Leonard. Leonard has been one of Peterborough’s most important players up to this point, scoring six goals and contributing with three assists as well. The man on loan from Blackburn Rovers has already smashed his best scoring season of three goals.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 2-1 Peterborough United, 17th January 2015
The last time the Valiants came out victorious against Peterborough was in 2015, when a second-half goal from Ben Williamson secured all three points.
It was the visitors who took the lead at Vale Park after Conor Washington's effort trickled past the outstretched Chris Neal in the Vale goal. However, it didn’t take long for the Valiants to hit back. After a cross into the box from the right was headed back towards goal by Louis Dodds, Chris Birchall managed to poke the ball home from close range.
Vale took the lead shortly after the second half was underway. Following a short back pass from the defender, Birchall chased onto the ball and lifted it over the on-rushing goalkeeper to give Vale the lead, and ultimately the win.
