Contents
- Competition: League One
- Date: 24th March 2026
- Kick-off: 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
- Venue: Eco-Power Stadium
Tuesday night brings Doncaster Rovers against the Valiants, and it feels a bit heavier than a typical mid table clash. The table says 17th versus bottom, so yes, there is a gap. Still, it does not tell the full story.
Doncaster are trying to edge away from trouble, which brings its own tension. The Valiants, meanwhile, are still fighting to stay afloat. You might expect a clear lean toward the hosts. However, recent form hints this could be closer than it looks.
Doncaster Rovers vs Port Vale Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Port Vale
0 : 1
Doncaster Rovers
League One
-
Doncaster Rovers
1 : 2
Port Vale
League Two
-
Doncaster Rovers
0 : 1
Port Vale
EFL Trophy
-
Port Vale
2 : 3
Doncaster Rovers
League Two
-
Doncaster Rovers
1 : 0
Port Vale
Club Friendlies 3
-
Doncaster Rovers
1 : 2
Port Vale
League One
If you glance at recent meetings, the Valiants have usually come out on top. Eight wins from the last eleven since 2015 is not a small edge, and five clean sheets underline that control.
Doncaster Rovers have only two wins in that stretch, though one did come earlier this season. Still, this fixture rarely turns chaotic. Goals tend to stay modest, around 2.6 per game, give or take.
Doncaster Rovers team overview
Doncaster Rovers head into this one looking a bit more settled, which probably matters more than anything right now. The Red and White Army are unbeaten in four, with two wins and two draws, and that kind of run steadies a dressing room.
What stands out, though, is the defending. Back to back clean sheets hint that something has finally clicked. Grant McCann’s side also sit five points clear of the bottom four, which gives a little breathing space.
At home, results have held up reasonably well, with three wins from five. Owen Bailey, with 12 goals, still drives most attacks, even from deeper areas. Luke Molyneux should play higher again. One concern, perhaps, is Robbie Gotts on nine bookings, one away from suspension.
Last matches of Doncaster Rovers
-
Barnsley
0 : 1
Doncaster Rovers
League One
-
Bolton Wanderers
0 : 0
Doncaster Rovers
League One
-
Doncaster Rovers
2 : 1
Blackpool
League One
-
Doncaster Rovers
1 : 1
Luton Town F.C.
League One
-
Plymouth Argyle
2 : 1
Doncaster Rovers
League One
Doncaster Rovers lineup
Goalkeeper
-
29
Thimothée Lo-Tutala
Defenders
-
5
Matty Pearson
-
12
Neill Byrne
-
2
Jamie Sterry
-
23
Jack Senior
Midfielders
-
4
Owen Bailey
-
17
Glenn Middleton
-
18
Elliot Lee
Forwards
-
9
Brandon Hanlan
-
22
Robbie Gotts
-
11
Jordan Gibson
Port Vale team overview
Port Vale’s season has not quite settled into a clear rhythm, though there are small signs things are improving. The Valiants hit a rough patch in February, losing three of four, and it felt like momentum slipped.
That said, Jon Brady’s side have steadied a bit, with just two defeats in their last nine across competitions. Not dazzling, but more reliable.
The 1-0 win over Bolton helped. You could sense the relief, especially with a second clean sheet in three games. However, away form still nags at you. Two losses in the last three trips is not convincing.
There is, however, a twist. The Valiants have won six of their last seven visits here. George Hall should keep his place after scoring, while Ben Waine continues to push for a start.
Last matches of Port Vale
-
Port Vale
1 : 0
Bolton Wanderers
League One
-
Blackpool
3 : 2
Port Vale
League One
-
Port Vale
0 : 0
Huddersfield Town
League One
-
Port Vale
0 : 2
Bradford City
League One
-
Port Vale
1 : 0
Sunderland
FA Cup
Port Vale lineup
Goalkeeper
-
46
Joe Gauci
Defenders
-
3
Jaheim Headley
-
6
Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel
-
5
Connor Hall
-
27
Eli Campbell
-
15
Liam Gordon
Midfielders
-
33
George Hall
-
14
Funso Ojo
-
8
Ben Garrity
Forwards
-
12
Rhys Walters
-
21
Martin Sherif
Prediction
This one feels like it could drift into a stalemate, and not a particularly lively one either. Doncaster Rovers have tightened things up with back to back clean sheets, which changes the tone a bit. The Valiants are not far off that defensively, with two shutouts in their last three.
You can see where this is going. Chances may be limited. Moreover, Port Vale games rarely open up anyway. A 0-0 draw, dull as it sounds, does not feel far fetched.
Four reasons we expect under 2.5 goals in this game
- Doncaster Rovers kept a clean sheet in each of their last two matches.
- Four of the last six meetings between Doncaster and Port Vale ended with under 2.5 goals.
- Port Vale kept a clean sheet in four of their last six matches.
- Only one of the last nine games of Port Vale produced more than two goals.
Main prediction Doncaster Rovers - Port Vale
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
Doncaster Rovers vs Port Vale standings in League One
| Regular Season | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln City | 39 | 25 | 9 | 5 | 74 - 34 | +40 | 84 |
| 2 | Cardiff City | 39 | 23 | 8 | 8 | 73 - 41 | +32 | 77 |
| 3 | Bolton Wanderers | 39 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 55 - 39 | +16 | 66 |
| 4 | Bradford City | 39 | 19 | 8 | 12 | 49 - 44 | +5 | 65 |
| 5 | Stevenage | 38 | 17 | 9 | 12 | 41 - 38 | +3 | 60 |
| 6 | Stockport County | 37 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 51 - 48 | +3 | 60 |
| 7 | Plymouth Argyle | 39 | 18 | 5 | 16 | 60 - 54 | +6 | 59 |
| 8 | Reading | 39 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 57 - 51 | +6 | 58 |
| 9 | Huddersfield Town | 39 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 59 - 51 | +8 | 57 |
| 10 | Wycombe Wanderers | 39 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 55 - 43 | +12 | 56 |
| 11 | Luton Town | 39 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 52 - 49 | +3 | 55 |
| 12 | Peterborough United | 38 | 15 | 5 | 18 | 57 - 52 | +5 | 50 |
| 13 | Barnsley | 37 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 59 - 60 | -1 | 50 |
| 14 | AFC Wimbledon | 38 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 49 - 55 | -6 | 50 |
| 15 | Mansfield Town | 37 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 47 - 41 | +6 | 49 |
| 16 | Leyton Orient | 38 | 14 | 6 | 18 | 55 - 62 | -7 | 48 |
| 17 | Doncaster Rovers | 38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | 41 - 59 | -18 | 47 |
| 18 | Burton Albion | 39 | 12 | 10 | 17 | 44 - 54 | -10 | 46 |
| 19 | Wigan Athletic | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 41 - 51 | -10 | 45 |
| 20 | Exeter City | 39 | 11 | 9 | 19 | 42 - 52 | -10 | 42 |
| 21 | Blackpool | 39 | 11 | 9 | 19 | 46 - 63 | -17 | 42 |
| 22 | Rotherham United | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 35 - 58 | -23 | 36 |
| 23 | Northampton Town | 39 | 9 | 8 | 22 | 33 - 56 | -23 | 35 |
| 24 | Port Vale | 36 | 7 | 10 | 19 | 29 - 49 | -20 | 31 |