Cheltenham Town host Port Vale this weekend in what could turn out to be a very important game for the Robins in their League Two campaign. The home side sit in 16th on 36 points however, they cannot afford to lose this game. If Port Vale come away with the victory they would leapfrog their opponents in the table. They are currently 19th and they three points could raise them four places in the table.
Despite Cheltenham being in a somewhat secure place in the table, they are still only nine points above the relegation zone. If they lose and the teams below them pick up points they could drop into a precarious position.
The last time these two teams played each other was back in October at Vale Park where the home side on that night ran out 3-1 winners. Their current top scorer, Tom Pope bagged a brace that night and has since raised his goal tally in League Two to 13. That is one more than Cheltenham top scorer Mohammed Eisa.
However, Vale have been on a bad run of form of late, only winning one of their last 10 league games and losing all of their last five, drawing three. They are also yet to record a victory in 2018. Cheltenham have won this year, but their form isn’t much better. They haven’t won any of last four games and suffered a disappointing draw to struggling Barnet the last time they played at the LCI Rail a fortnight ago.
The Robins haven’t won since beating Colchester 4-1 away from home on the 6th January and haven’t won in Cheltenham since early December when they beat Crewe 1-0.
It should be an entertaining game with Cheltenham looking to end their run of games without a win and Port Vale seeking the win with that extra incentive of moving up the table. With both teams drawing in their last outings, they will go all out for the three points.
