Barnsley travel to Vale Park to take on Port Vale this Boxing Day in a big festive football clash. Port Vale hang in the mid table, looking for a boost to kickstart the rest of their season, whereas Barnsley is in the fight for Play-offs.
Port Vale currently sit 15th in League One after 21 games. The Valiants have seven wins, five draws and nine losses, leaving them on 26 points, just nine points above the relegation zone.
In their last five games in all competitions, Port Vale have two wins, one draw and two losses.
Port Vale travelled to Exeter City at the start of December, where Oliver Luke Arblaster scored the only goal of the game in the first half, giving Port Vale the 1 - 0 win over ten-man Exeter, who had Will Aimson sent off late on. In the FA Cup Second Round Replays, Port Vale took on Stevenage again. A Ben Garrity brace gave Port Vale a strong 2 - 0 lead, but late goals from Harvey White and a 96th minute goal from Kane Hemmings took the game to extra time. Ryan Loft put Port Vale back ahead, but Nathan Thompson’s goal sent the tie to penalties. Loft and Garrity both missed their penalties, giving Stevenage the 4 - 3 wins.
Back in League One, Port Vale hosted Wigan. A hat-trick from Ethan Chislett gave Port Vale the 3 - 2 win, with Chris Sze and Charlie Wyke’s goals unable to complete the comeback for Wigan. In the Quarter-final of the League Cup, Port Vale hosted Middlesbrough. Jonny Howson, Morgan Rogers and Matt Crooks all scored in the 3 - 0 win for Middlesbrough.
The last time out for Port Vale was against Wycombe on Saturday. Kieran Sadlier opened the scoring for Wycombe early in the second half, but a goal from Garrity in the 91st minute gave Port Vale the 1 - 1 draw.
Barnsley, on the other hand, sit seventh in League One. In 21 games, Barnsley have 11 wins, five draws and five losses which leaves them on 38 points, just two points from Stevenage in the final Play-off place.
In their last five games in all competitions, Barnsley have three wins, one draw and one loss.
Sam Cosgrove left it late for Barnsley, with his goal in the 91st minute grabbing a big 1 - 0 win over Wycombe, who ended the game with ten men after Harry Boyes was sent off in extra time. In the Second round of the Football League Trophy, Barnsley travelled to Blackpool. John McAtee opened the scoring for Barnsley, but goals from Owen Dale and Jake Beesley gave Blackpool the 2 - 1 win.
Despite the early goal for Reading through Harvey Knibbs, a penalty from Herbie Kane and goals from Devante Cole and Max Watters gave Barnsley the 3 - 1 win. Next time out against Charlton Athletic, Adam Phillips gave Barnsley the lead in the first half. However, Corey Blackett-Taylor equalised late in the second half to grab a 1 - 1 draw for Charlton.
The most recent outing for Barnsley was against Stevenage. McAtee and Kane both scored after Luther Wildin opened the scoring in the fourth minute to give Barnsley the 2 -1 win.
Port Vale and Barnsley have met 115 times in their histories, with the first meeting coming all the way back in 1898. The two teams are barely separated, with Port Vale having 47 wins but Barnsley having 48 wins, with the other 20 games ending in a draw.