Port Vale v Cardiff 3/1 Bet Builder Tips, Predictions & Cheat Sheet

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Promotion contenders Cardiff City make their first league visit to Vale Park since 2003 in a bid to extend their winning start to the League One season.
- Port Vale v Cardiff
- English League One
- 20:00
- Port Vale v Cardiff
- English League One
- 20:00
📂 Port Vale v Cardiff Cheat Sheet
📈 Port Vale v Cardiff Form & Tactics
The early red card for Jaheim Headley made it difficult to get a full read on Darren Moore’s approach against Rotherham on opening day, but it seems that their base formation will be a 3-4-3, which filters back to a 5-4-1 out of possession.
There is a lot of experience in the team, and square pegs in square holes. Byers and Jordan Shipley drive the team from midfield with all-round profiles, there is enough pace in the outside centre back roles with Cameron Humphrey organising from the centre, Jayden Stockley is the central striker target man profile, allowing the guile of Lorent Tolaj and speed of Ben Waine to support.
They deserved at least a point from the opening match, losing 2-1 to Rotherham.
What we learned from the opening day is that Brian Barry-Murphy is going to set Cardiff up with a back four where possible, but with a lot of flexibility in their play both on and off the ball.
They will look to involve Rubin Colwill as much as possible on the ball, and it was interesting that Barry-Murphy used Joel Colwill in partnership with his brother on opening day. J. Colwill supported R. Colwill to make the formation fluid between 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1, with Cian Ashford and Ollie Tanner providing energy and work rate out wide.
The team is exceptionally youthful, with an average age of only 22, Cardiff will have to ride out the inexperienced moments against a streetwise Vale side.
🏁 Ref Watch
Tom Reeves
Reeves has 54 matches under his belt at this level.
Reeves averages 2.87 yellow cards per fixture when officiating League One matches, which is low by EFL standards.
He also gives fewer than average fouls, 22.87 per match.
📊 Port Vale v Cardiff Key Stats
Port Vale only lost four times at Vale Park last season, but also drew a high proportion of their home matches.
Vale named four of their five most played players from 2024/25 in their starting XI on opening day, showing clear continuity from their promotion season.
Vale have an average age of 26.6, around average for the league.
Cardiff’s average age of 22.5 on opening day was the youngest on record since the 2005/06 season under Dave Jones.
Cardiff won only two away league games last term.
Cardiff’s xG underperformance in the Championship last season was the most extreme in the league, 17 goals lower than expected.
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For additional value, check out these Port Vale v Cardiff Betting Stats, bet365 6 Scores Challenge Tips and our Paddy Power Beat The Drop Predictions.
* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
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