Port Vale v Rochdale prediction

The match

Port Vale host Rochdale in League Two on Saturday 31 October (kick-off 12:30 UK); the model’s free pick is Port Vale or the draw, a Bronze-tier call.

The key numbers

Port Vale have scored six goals, the fewest of the 24 clubs (2026/27 so far).

Rochdale are winless in their last four matches in all competitions.

Form and the table

Four of Port Vale’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (27%). Both teams scored in five of Port Vale’s last 15 results in all competitions (33%). At home, Port Vale have three wins, two draws and one defeat in their last 6 home matches in all competitions — 1.83 points per game, scoring 0.67 and conceding 0.50. Port Vale have conceded 12 goals, the fourth-fewest of the 24 clubs (2026/27 so far).

Nine of Rochdale’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (60%). Both teams scored in seven of Rochdale’s last 15 results in all competitions (47%). Away from home, Rochdale have one win, three draws and four defeats in their last 8 away matches in all competitions — 0.75 points per game, scoring 0.88 and conceding 1.63. Rochdale have scored 15 goals, the ninth-fewest (shared) of the 24 clubs (2026/27 so far). Rochdale have conceded 22 goals, the third-most (shared) of the 24 clubs.

Port Vale (23rd) and Rochdale (17th) are three points apart, 2026/27 so far. TACTIX’s Glicko-2 team ratings have Port Vale the stronger side, 106 rating points above Rochdale (Port Vale 1434, Rochdale 1328, after at least 105 rated matches each).

Head-to-head

The most recent meeting, on 22 February 2022, finished Rochdale 1–1 Port Vale.

Team news

Predicted Port Vale XI (3-5-2): M. Maroši, C. Humphreys, C. Hall, J. Moon, J. Lawrence-Gabriel, K. Dempsey, B. Garrity, J. Headley, G. Byers, O. Lynch, O. Hernández — derived from the last 8 line-ups, most-used eleven. By TACTIX Impact, Kyle Dempsey (3.7 per match over 12 appearances, one goal) and Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (3.4 per match over 12 appearances, one assist) have been Port Vale’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for Port Vale (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), Kyle Dempsey averages 2.0 key passes per 90 over 989 minutes, with a key pass in seven of the last 10 appearances. Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel averages 0.7 key passes per 90 over 1038 minutes, with a key pass in four of the last 10 appearances.

Predicted Rochdale XI (4-2-3-1): S. Waller, A. Flint, K. Wilson, C. Tasker, O. Adebayo-Rowling, H. Gilmour, G. Middleton, B. Adeeko, E. Francis, C. Hayes, D. Brown — derived from the last 8 line-ups, most-used eleven. By TACTIX Impact, Sam Waller (3.9 per match over four appearances) and Aden Flint (3.8 per match over eight appearances, two goals and one assist) have been Rochdale’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for Rochdale (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), Sam Waller averages 3.2 saves per 90 over 360 minutes. Aden Flint averages 0.4 tackles per 90 over 720 minutes, with a tackle in three of the last eight appearances.

The referee

E. Heaslip takes charge; across the last 5 matches refereed (this competition) the referee has shown 4.2 yellow cards a game and 0.00 reds.