This weekend, Port Vale will host Sunderland at Vale Park in an exciting FA Cup clash. The League One side will look to use their home advantage, while Sunderland aim to continue their impressive cup run and avoid a surprise upset.
Sunderland booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round after securing a narrow 1–0 victory over Oxford United on 15 February 2026. The Black Cats will be confident heading into this fixture, but Port Vale will be determined to put up a strong fight in front of their home supporters.
Match Preview
Port Vale are currently struggling in League One, sitting at the bottom of the table in 24th place with 27 points. They are 10 points away from the safety zone, with 14 matches remaining in the league season. Despite their difficult position, Port Vale have shown signs of improvement recently.
The team has enjoyed a relatively positive run of form, recording two wins and two draws in their last four matches across all competitions. In addition, Port Vale have been unbeaten in their last three home games, including one victory. Playing at Vale Park could give them the extra motivation needed to challenge a stronger opponent like Sunderland.
On the other hand, Sunderland have been performing better in the FA Cup compared to recent seasons. The club will be hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2013–2014 season. This opportunity could be a big step forward for the team as they aim to make a deeper run in the tournament.
However, Sunderland’s recent form has been mixed. In their last four matches across all competitions, the Black Cats have recorded two wins and two losses. Even so, their squad depth and experience could give them the advantage in this matchup.
Possible Starting Lineups
Port Vale: Gauci; Campbell, Humphreys, Hall; Lawrence-Gabriel, Walters, Shipley, Gordon; Waine, Archer; Sherif
Sunderland: Roef; Hume, Alderete, Ballard, O’Nien; Diarra, Xhaka; Talbi, Le Fee, Angulo; Isidor
Port Vale vs Sunderland Prediction
Port Vale may have the advantage of playing at home, but Sunderland’s overall quality and FA Cup experience could make the difference in this match. If the Black Cats can perform at their best, they should have enough strength to secure the win.
Predicted Score: Port Vale 1 – 2 Sunderland
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