Port Vale vs Cardiff predictions, tips and Bet Builder: Vale could frustrate youthful visitors
Expert League One predictions, betting tips and odds for Port Vale vs Cardiff.
Where to watch Port Vale vs Cardiff
You can watch Port Vale vs Cardiff in League One at 8pm on Thursday, August 7, live on Sky Sports Football
Port Vale vs Cardiff prediction & best bet
Draw
1pt 12-5 bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes
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Port Vale vs Cardiff odds
Here are the latest odds ahead of Port Vale vs Cardiff in League One
| Match result | Odds |
|---|---|
| Port Vale | 19-10 with Paddy Power |
| Cardiff | 13-10 with Paddy Power |
| Draw | 23-10 with Paddy Power |
Odds correct at time of publishing
Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.
Port Vale vs Cardiff predictions
Cardiff are relying on their young players to steer them back to the Championship and new manager Brian Barry-Murphy enjoyed a pleasing debut win over Peterborough at the weekend.
Trailing 1-0 at half-time in their League One opener, the Bluebirds turned the game around thanks to a couple of cracking strikes from 23-year-old Ruben Colwill and 18-year-old right-back Ronan Kpakio.
Ten members of Cardiff's starting 11, including Colwill's brother Joel, were aged 23 or younger so the future looks bright for a club who finished bottom of the Championship in 2024-25.
However, they had a poor record on the road last season and may struggle to take maximum points at Port Vale, even with former Arsenal defender Calum Chambers returning from suspension to add some experience to the backline.
Vale finished second in League Two last term and endured a terrible start to their first game back in the third division on Saturday.
They conceded two early goals at Rotherham before going down to ten men in the 32nd minute when wing-back Jaheim Headley was shown a straight red card.
Vale's response to that harrowing first half delighted boss Darren Moore. His side reduced the deficit through defender Connor Hall's goal on the hour-mark and almost nicked an injury-time equaliser when Lorent Tolaj hit the post from a tight angle.
They ended the game with 18 attempts at goal to Rotherham's 11 and are worth backing to take a point off poor travellers Cardiff.
Five of the Bluebirds' last eight Championship matches ended all-square and they drew 11 of their 23 league games away from home last term.
Vale will be determined to put on a good show in their first home game of the campaign. Despite Saturday's victory, Cardiff's youngsters may struggle for consistency and there has been transfer speculation over strikers Callum Robinson and Yousef Salech.
The Vale defence conceded only 46 goals in 46 League Two matches last season. Their squad depth suggests they should be competitive at the higher level and they can make life difficult for one of the promotion favourites.
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Key stat
Cardiff drew 11 of their 23 away matches in the Championship last season
Port Vale vs Cardiff team news and predicted line-ups
Port Vale
Jordan Gabriel, Ben Garrity and goalkeeper Ben Amos are injured. Marko Marosi should start in goal for Vale with new signing Liam Gordon in line to replace the suspended Jaheim Headley at left wing-back.
Starting line-up (3-4-3): Marosi; Debrah, Humphreys, Hall; Clark, Croasdale, Byers, Gordon; Tolaj, Stockley, Curtis
Subs: Heneghan, Waine, Ojo, Richards, John, Shipley, Paton
Cardiff
Calum Chambers should return at centre-back after serving a one-match ban. Fellow defender Perry Ng is injured and midfielders Alex Robertson and David Turnbull are doubts.
Starting line-up (4-1-4-1): Turner; Kpakio, Fish, Chambers, Bagan; Wintle; Tanner, J Colwill, R Colwill, Ashford; Salech
Subs: Lawlor, King, Davies, Willock, Daland, Robinson, Mafico
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Port Vale vs Cardiff bet builder predictions
Lorent Tolaj to score or assist a goal
The Swiss winger hit the post for Port Vale at Rotherham and racked up 14 goals and eight assists in 30 League Two starts last season
Ronan Kpakio to have one or more shots
Cardiff's attack-minded right-back earned a call-up to the senior Wales squad in June and the teenager scored the winner against Peterborough last weekend
Over 0.5 second-half goals
Port Vale's last ten league goals were all scored after half-time and ten of Cardiff's last 12 games featured at least one second-half goal
Pays out at 5-1 with bet365
Read more . . .
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