Bitesize Prediction: Mansfield vs Port Vale – 31/10/23

Competition: EFL Cup

Market: Mansfield win

Odds: 11/10 @ 1xBet

Two sides who will turn their attention back to EFL Cup duties in midweek, Mansfield will welcome Port Vale to Field Mill on Tuesday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Mansfield might have eventually been left heartbroken last season as they missed out on the chance to claim a play-off ticket, Nigel Clough’s side have come roaring back this time around. Battling it out at the top of the League Two standings and gaining plenty of recent praise, the Stags should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Keeping up their recent flurry over the weekend as they secured a 2-1 win at home against Walsall, the Nottinghamshire-based outfit have won each of their previous four straight appearances. With their extended purple patch underlined by a stunning 4-1 romp away at Notts County earlier in the month, Mansfield have also gained a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. Notching 13 strikes on their four-match winning run, it should also be highlighted that Clough’s men are yet to suffer a single defeat since opening up the 2023/24 campaign. Likewise, winning their last two showdowns at Field Mill by an aggregate score of 5-3, the Stags will be smelling a major opportunity on Tuesday night.

As for the visitors, putting in another worrying performance over the weekend as they suffered a shock 2-1 loss at home against Cheltenham, Port Vale find themselves in the midst of an extended rut. Once again looking over their shoulder at a potential League One relegation scrap, the Valiants have failed to win any of their previous seven appearances across all formats within 90 minutes. With that continued wobble stemming all the way back to September 26th, Andy Crosby could find some mounting pressure on his shoulders. With their recent issues highlighted by a 3-0 drumming away at Bristol Rovers earlier in the month, Port Vale could face another tricky test here. Showing some worrying issues in the final third and bagging just a single strike in their last three appearances, Tuesday’s guests have also failed to muster one win on their travels since the start of September. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class, we are backing a home victory in midweek.

Bet: Mansfield 11/10 to beat Port Vale in Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie @ 1xBet