Port Vale vs Cardiff City Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: August 7, 2025 | Vale Park | EFL League One | 20:00 BST

As we enter August, we see the return of English football! This midweek fixture sees the second match of the League One campaign, where Cardiff travel to Vale Park to take on Port Vale. Will Cardiff make two wins from two, or will the underdogs prevail?

Key Betting Tip: Cardiff to win at 2.31 odds represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our team of in-house tipsters.

Port Vale vs Cardiff Predicted Lineups

Port Vale Predicted XI: Maroši; Hall, Humphreys, Debrah; Ojo, Shipley, Byers, Heneghan; Waine, Stockley, Tolaj.

Cardiff Predicted XI: Turner; Bagan, Fish, Daland, Kpakio; Wintle; Ashford, R. Colwill, J. Colwill, Tanner; Salech.

Port Vale vs Cardiff Current League Standings

Port Vale returned to League One after finishing runners-up in League Two last season. They lost their opener away to Rotherham 2-1, with Jaheim Headley picking up a red card. They will hope to get off to a good start at home, however.

Cardiff, meanwhile, had to fight to beat Peterborough in their opener, overturning a 1-0 first-half deficit to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Ronan Kpakio and Rubin Colwill.

Port Vale vs Cardiff Head-to-Head Timeline

These sides have met just once in history, avoiding each other in the lower divisions, with their sole meeting in the EFL Cup.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

• August 2014: Port Vale 2-3 Cardiff (EFL Cup)

Recent Port Vale and Cardiff Matches Analysis

Port Vale Last 5 Matches:

• Port Vale 1-2 Rotherham (A) – League One
• Port Vale 1-1 Altrincham (A) – Club Friendly
• Port Vale 0-2 Birmingham (H) – Club Friendly
• Port Vale 5-1 Bath (A) – Club Friendly
• Port Vale 2-1 Rhyl (A) – Club Friendly

The Valiants had a poor end to their pre-season, which carried into the league, where they suffered a defeat to Rotherham. They are now three games without a win.

Cardiff Last 5 Matches:

• Cardiff 2-1 Peterborough (H) – League One
• Cardiff 2-2 Notts County (A) – Club Friendly
• Cardiff 2-2 QPR (A) – Club Friendly
• Cardiff 5-1 Cambridge United (A) – Club Friendly
• Cardiff 3-0 Southend (H) – Club Friendly

It was an excellent pre-season for the Bluebirds, which fortunately carried on into the league. It was a tough battle at home to Peterborough, with Port Vale being another difficult task on Thursday.

Port Vale vs Cardiff Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in a Cardiff victory. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Port Vale vs Cardiff Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Cardiff to Win @ 2.31 - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted an away victory in this fixture. Recent head-to-head and form suggest confidence in an Cardiff victory.

Key Players to Watch: Port Vale vs Cardiff

Connor Hall (Port Vale): The left centre-back’s goal came in vain as they went onto lose the game, however, his defensive performance cannot be undermined. Seven clearances, two interceptions and he didn’t get dribble past once.

Rubin Colwill (Cardiff): The Cardiff captain started the second half comeback by scoring the equaliser, leading by example. He played 3 key passes throughout the game, and won 50% of his aerial duels.

Port Vale vs Cardiff Match Facts

Referee: Tom Reeves. In his 245-match career, he has handed out an average of 2.9 yellow cards per game.

Broadcast Details:

UK: Sky Sports at 20:00 BST.

Stadium Information: Vale Park is located in, Stoke, England, and can hold up to just shy of 19,000 spectators.