Port Vale vs Sunderland – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Sunderland travel to Vale Park this afternoon, aiming to avoid a major FA Cup upset against a Port Vale side enjoying their deepest run in the competition for three decades.

The Black Cats enter this fifth-round clash seeking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign. Régis Le Bris’s side arrives in North Staffordshire buoyed by a vital 1–0 Premier League victory over local rivals Leeds United on Tuesday, a result that snapped an inconsistent run of form.

Sunderland have reached this stage by navigating past Premier League rivals Everton and Championship strugglers Oxford United, but they must now adapt to a different challenge against third-tier opponents. Notably, the visitors have been efficient but reliant on dead-ball situations, with both of their FA Cup goals this season coming via set-pieces.

Port Vale, meanwhile, are set for their first FA Cup fifth-round appearance since 1996. Despite sitting bottom of League One and facing a steep climb to avoid relegation, Jon Brady’s men have undergone a mini-resurgence, winning two and drawing two of their last four matches across all competitions.

The Valiants reached the last 16 by pulling off a disciplined 1–0 upset over Championship side Bristol City on Tuesday, proving they can hold their own against higher-league opposition. Historically, Vale Park has been a tough venue for the Black Cats, though Port Vale themselves are searching for their first win over a Premier League side in 30 years.

Port Vale vs Sunderland – Match preview and team news

Team News

Port Vale

Manager Jon Brady has confirmed a relatively clean bill of health following the midweek win over Bristol City. The Valiants are expected to name an unchanged starting XI as they look to maintain the “special connection” established during their recent unbeaten run. Key players like Hall, Walters, and Shipley are all available for the biggest game of their season so far.

Sunderland

Régis Le Bris is managing a significant selection crisis, with 10 first-team players unavailable. Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki are both suspended. The injury list includes Bertrand Traoré (knee), Robin Roefs (hamstring), Nordi Mukiele (calf), Brian Brobbey (groin), Dennis Cirkin (hamstring), Reinildo (knee), Romain Mundle (hamstring), and Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle). Despite the depleted squad, Le Bris has insisted he will field the “best XI possible”.

Form

Port Vale

The Valiants have become much more resolute defensively, keeping two clean sheets in their last three outings. While they remain the lowest scorers in League One with just 26 goals, their cup form has provided a much-needed distraction from their league struggles. Notably, Port Vale have advanced further in the FA Cup this season than in any of the previous 29 campaigns.

Sunderland

The Black Cats have a dominant recent record against Port Vale, winning their last six meetings in all competitions. They have also been resilient on the road recently, winning two and drawing one of their last three away fixtures. Notably, Sunderland are the only team remaining in the competition’s fifth round that has yet to score a goal from open play.

Predicted Lineups

Port Vale Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Gauci; Hall, Gabriel, Archer, Walters; Gordon, Waine; Sherif, Humphreys, Shipley; Magloire

Sunderland Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ellborg; Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, O’Nien; Xhaka, Le Fee; Rigg, Angulo, Talbi; Isidor

How to Watch Port Vale vs Sunderland?

The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 1. Coverage begins at 13:00 GMT ahead of the 13:30 kick-off.

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