After losing their last two games in all competitions, Port Vale will try to return to winning ways when they welcome Morecambe to Vale Park on Boxing Day.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be desperate to end their poor run of form after failing to win any of their previous 10 competitive games.

Match preview

After enjoying a run of three consecutive victories in all competitions, Port Vale have lost their last two matches by a 1-0 scoreline, including Tuesday's EFL Trophy defeat to Salford City.

Matt Smith scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 10th minute, which ultimately ended Port Vale's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

Having been eliminated from all three cup competitions this season, Port Vale will now be dreaming of mounting a push for the League One playoffs with five points separating them from the top six.

The Valiants have not played a home game in over a month so they will be pleased to return to Vale Park where they have won their last two competitive matches.

As they attempt to claim a third consecutive home victory, Darrell Clarke's side can draw inspiration from the fact that they have won their previous two home meetings against Morecambe.

While Port Vale may be targeting a playoff push, Morecambe face an almighty task if they are to escape the relegation zone.

The Shrimps are currently bottom of the table, with six points separating them from safety after winning only two of their 21 league games this season.

In their most recent outing, Derek Adams took his side to Home Park to face his former club and current league leaders Plymouth Argyle.

The Pilgrims took a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Niall Ennis and Sam Cosgrove, and although Anthony O'Connor pulled a goal back in stoppage time, it was too little too late for Morecambe, who fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat.

Morecambe have now gone over two months without a victory, and they will need to improve at both ends of the pitch, after failing to keep a clean sheet in every game of their 10-match winless run, while they are the second lowest-scorers in the division.

Team News

Port Vale are expected to be without the services of Funso Ojo, who has been out of action since September due to an injury issue.

Dennis Politic dropped out of the side for the EFL Trophy defeat to Salford, but he could return to the starting lineup on Monday.

Ellis Harrison will retain his place in the forward line, and he will be looking to add to the seven goals that he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they will be unable to call upon Ash Hunter and Courtney Duffus, who are both sidelined with long-term injuries.

After coming on at half time against Plymouth, Dylan Connolly and Donald Love are both in contention to feature in the starting lineup.

Cole Stockton has only scored two goals this season, but both of those strikes have arrived in his last three appearances, and he will pose one of Morecambe's main goal threats on Monday.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Stevens; Smith, Jones, Hall; Worrall, Garrity, Conlon, Benning; Politic; Harrison, Wilson

Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Ripley; O'Connor, Bedeau, Delaney; Love, Weir, Shaw, Gibson; Connolly, Mayor, Stockton

We say: Port Vale 1-0 Morecambe

Port Vale may have lost their last two games, but they have won their previous two home matches, and we think that they will claim a narrow victory when they face a Morecambe side, who have failed to win any of their last 10 games in all competitions.

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