Port Vale will welcome Cardiff to Vale Park in their second game of the new 2025/26 campaign in the Championship on Thursday night.
The hosts will be hoping for a reaction on home soil after they lost 2-1 away at Rotherham on the opening weekend of the season last time out.
Meanwhile, Cardiff came back from a goal down to beat Peterborough 2-1 in front of a jubilant home crowd at Saturday lunchtime, as the Bluebirds aim for an immediate return back up to the Championship after getting relegated last season by finishing bottom of the table. Nonetheless, we should be in for an intriguing battle between both sides.
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Port Vale vs Cardiff prediction: Visitors to record another victory?
Key stats
- Port Vale are now winless in three games in total in all competitions.
- Cardiff are now unbeaten in a total of six matches across all competitions.
- Cardiff have won the last five H2Hs over all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Port Vale 1-2 Cardiff
Given their superior form, both in recent games and in H2Hs, we are expecting Cardiff to take home all three points. However, the Bluebirds may not have it all their own way given that they have failed to keep a clean sheet in four matches, so we could also see Port Vale get on the scoresheet.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Cardiff favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 19/10 (2.90) – 34.5%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 13/10 (2.30) – 43.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Cardiff are favourites with bookmakers to claim all three points on their travels. A Port Vale victory on home turf can be backed at just under 35%, while a draw comes in at just under 30%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: Cardiff aiming for sixth straight win
As mentioned before, Cardiff have won the previous five meetings between the two sides in all competitions. In those games, they have scored a total of 11 goals, averaging just over two per match, and conceded just three times, at an average of under one per game.
England EFL Cup 26/08/14
Port Vale
Cardiff
Port Vale preview: Headley out with suspension
Port Vale currently have no injuries to report heading into this clash. However, Jaheim Headley is serving a suspension after receiving a red card against Rotherham last time out.
Predicted lineup: Marosi (GK); Debrah, Humphreys, Hall, Clark, Byers, Shipley, Ojo, Tolaj, Waine & Stockley
England League 2 03/05/25
L
Gillingham
1
Port Vale
0
England League 2 26/04/25
W
AFC Wimbledon
0
Port Vale
2
England League 2 21/04/25
D
Grimsby
2
Port Vale
2
England League 2 18/04/25
L
Carlisle
3
Port Vale
2
England League 2 12/04/25
W
Bromley
0
Port Vale
5
Cardiff preview: No fresh concerns to report
Much like their opponents, Cardiff also have no fresh injuries to report ahead of their trip to Vale Park. The Bluebirds also have no suspensions, so should be able to field their strongest possible XI.
Predicted lineup: Turner (GK); Kpakio, Chambers, Fish, Bagan, Wintle, Tanner, J Colwill, R Colwill, Ashford & Salech
England Championship 03/05/25
L
Norwich
4
Cardiff
2
England Championship 26/04/25
D
West Brom
0
Cardiff
0
England Championship 21/04/25
D
Oxford Utd
1
Cardiff
1
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Sheff Utd
2
Cardiff
0
England Championship 12/04/25
L
Stoke
1
Cardiff
0
Player to watch: Rubin Colwill
Rubin Colwill set Cardiff on their way to a comeback against Peterborough with a quite brilliant free-kick last time out. The Bluebirds will be hoping that he can produce a similar piece of magic at Port Vale in order to help them claim back-to-back victories in the league.