Port Vale vs Northampton - League Two

The history between Port Vale and Northampton lends this League Two fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on September 26, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. It has not been a daunting fixture list but there are signs that Mourinho has found a way to get the best from an increasingly stacked Madrid squad.

Port Vale head into the contest positioned 22nd in the League Two standings, while Northampton arrive sitting 17th. It has been a torrid run for the hosts, WLLDD in their last five and a season win rate of just 16.67% that has the alarm bells ringing. The visitors have found the going tough on their travels, LWDDL in their last five and a win rate of just 16.67% telling its own story. Goals could be in short supply or plentiful — Port Vale average 0.5 per game to Northampton's 0.5, and that gap may dictate the rhythm of the contest. Tim Sherwood makes his predictions for the new Premier League season, including who he thinks will make the top four in the table.

Set-piece efficiency and transition play often decide fixtures of this nature, and both managers will have been drilling those phases on the training ground. But it was a dual role for Rayo because he was also among the top dozen players for blocking crosses and winning possession in the defensive third.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman A. Newby — 6 goals this term — will be one to watch. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. The Everton forward would suit Michael Carrick’s plans because he can carry the ball through pressure, create chances from wide areas and operate behind a striker.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. Despite the home advantage enjoyed by Port Vale, the weight of evidence favours Northampton — a 1-2 away win is the call. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. In terms of outgoings, Perri seems closest to an exit, but that will likely have to wait until Trafford's mandated holiday after the World Cup is over or a No 2 arrives.