The Anorak: Cash in on Port Vale promotion party

PORT Vale can gain promotion today by defeating Northampton at Vale Park.

Considering the financial constraints Port Vale manager Mickey Adams has faced, including a transfer embargo, it’s a fantastic achievement that the club from the Potteries are sitting second with two games to play.

They will want to get the job done at home in front of a full house, and if the nerves don’t get to them, they should beat goal-shy Northampton, who have scored only once in their past five outings. Compare this to free-scoring Port Vale who thumped third place Burton Albion 7-1 two weeks ago. The front pairing of the division’s top-scorer Tom Pope and the evergreen Lee Hughes should have too much firepower for the Cobblers, who again couldn’t score at Wycombe midweek. Take the 10-11 general as the stand-out single of the weekend.

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Some bookmakers are shamefully not even pricing up Dumbarton’s match against relegated Airdrie, but you can get 8-13 with Coral for the Sons to continue their good run of form. Their manager, the former Hibs captain Ian Murray, has done a terrific job since inheriting a side which were anchored at the foot of the table, and requiring one more win to avoid the play-offs they shouldn’t be lacking any motivation to secure safety with three points today.

West Ham, with big Andy Carroll firing, can keep Wigan in the bottom three by winning at 5-4 (Hills).

Tottenham, who will be rested after ten days without a game and have Gareth Bale back, could be value at 2-1 to beat Manchester City.

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