Port Vale and Rochdale face off in a League Two fixture on Saturday, 31st October 2026, with both clubs seeking crucial points to climb the table. Entering the weekend, Rochdale sits 17th in the League Two standings with 15 points from 13 matches, while Port Vale occupies 23rd place in the relegation zone with 12 points from 11 games.
Manager Jon Brady has lined up Port Vale in a 3-5-2 formation. Marosi starts in goal, protected by a central defensive trio of Humphreys, Moon, and Connor Hall. Lawrence-Gabriel and Headley operate as wing-backs, flanking a midfield featuring Dempsey, Byers, and George Hall. Watters and Hernández lead the attack in the starting lineup.
Opposing manager Ian Watson has selected a 4-2-3-1 formation for Rochdale. Waller takes his place in goal behind a back four consisting of Sherring, Flint, Wilson, and Tasker. Gilmour and Adeeko anchor the midfield, supporting an attacking trio of Hayes, Silcott-Duberry, and Middleton, with Brown deployed as the lone central forward.
Match officials for the fixture include referee Emily Heaslip, assisted on the lines by Marvyn Amphlett and Andrew Ellis, with Callum Jones serving as the fourth official.
Statistical comparison highlights contrasting profiles heading into the match. Port Vale has scored 6 goals while conceding 12 across their campaign, compared to Rochdale’s 15 goals scored and 22 conceded. In shooting metrics, Port Vale has registered 93 total shots with 38 on target, 55 off target, and 30 blocked, alongside a 72% passing accuracy. Rochdale has recorded 86 total shots, including 36 on target, 50 off target, and 36 blocked, with a 79.46% passing accuracy. In game management situations, Port Vale has gained 1 point from losing positions and dropped 5 points from winning positions, whereas Rochdale has secured 2 points from losing positions and dropped 2 points from winning positions.
Recent form across competitions shows mixed momentum. Port Vale’s last six outings include a 5-0 victory against Manchester City U21 in the EFL Trophy, a 2-0 defeat to York City, a 1-1 draw with Gillingham, a 1-0 win against Chesterfield, and a 1-0 win over Grimsby Town. Rochdale’s recent fixtures feature a 5-0 loss to Accrington Stanley in League Two, a 2-2 draw with Grimsby Town, a 3-2 defeat against Crewe Alexandra, a 1-1 draw with Tranmere Rovers, and a 5-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town in the EFL Trophy.
Historical head-to-head records between the two clubs reflect closely contested encounters. Previous meetings include a 3-2 victory for Port Vale in a club friendly on 23rd July 2022, a 1-1 League Two draw on 22nd February 2022, and a 1-0 win for Port Vale in the EFL Trophy on 5th October 2021.
