BLUEBIRDS TRAVEL TO VALE PARK
- ccfcinsider
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Cardiff City are on the road for the first time this season as they travel to face Darren Moore's Port Vale.
The Opposition:
Port Vale enjoyed a strong League Two campaign in 2024–25, finishing 2nd and earning automatic promotion to League One. Consistent performances both home and away made them one of the division’s most balanced and resilient sides.
The Valiants have bolstered their squad as they look to impress in their first season back in third tier. Darren Moore has bolstered his squad with the free transfer signings of Jordan Gabriel from Blackpool, Rico Richards from Aston Villa, Marko Marosi from Cambridge United, Ben Waine from Plymouth Argyle, Cameron Humphreys from Rotherham United, Liam Gordon from Walsall and Jordan Shipley from Shrewsbury.
Darren Moore typically favors a possession-based style, often using a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-1-2 formation to control midfield and build from the back. His teams emphasize disciplined structure, patient buildup, and fluid attacking transitions. Defensively, Moore prioritizes shape and pressing triggers, aiming to regain control quickly after losing possession.
The Bluebirds:
City come into this on the back of an opening day victory against Peterborough United with goals coming from Rubin Colwill and Ronan Kpakio.
BBM's style was clear with an impressive press from the front and some nice patterns of play, something he will hope his side can continue at Vale Park. However, this will be more of a physical test than that against Posh.
Opposition Player To Watch:
Lorent Tolaj is definitely the one to watch for Port Vale. Tolaj came through at Brighton, after three loan spells out, in 2023 the Swiss striker joined Aldershot. After an impressive campaign with The Shots, Tolaj joined Port Vale in the summer of 2024. In the forward's first season with The Vale, Tolaj contributed with 14 goals and 9 assists in all competitions.
Tolaj is a dynamic forward known for his strong movement off the ball and clinical finishing inside the box. He combines physical presence with intelligent positioning, often exploiting defensive gaps with sharp runs. While not a traditional target man, he contributes to link-up play and presses defenders with high energy.
Last Meeting:
Port Vale 2-3 Cardiff City (2014)
Last time these two sides met was in the Capital One Cup first round in 2014. Federico Macheda making his City debut shone for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Cardiff City as they advanced to the second round.
Joe Ralls opened the scoring for City with a long-range effort. Michael O'Connor equalled the tie before Federico Macheda hit a brace to put City in cruise control. Michael Brown netted a late consolation, but it wasn't enough for The Valiants.
Team News:
Cardiff City - David Turnbull and Calum Chambers back available for The Bluebirds. Alex Robertson and Perry Ng remain side-lined for City.
Port Vale - Jaheim Headley suspended for the hosts.
Preferred XI:
GK - Nathan Trott
RB - Ronan Kpakio
RCB - Calum Chambers
LCB - Jesper Daland
LB - Joel Bagan
CDM - Ryan Wintle
RCM - Rubin Colwill
LCM - Joel Colwill
RW - Ollie Tanner
LW - Chris Willock
ST - Yousef Salech
Score Prediction:
Port Vale 1-3 Cardiff City
Despite my predicted score line, this won't be plain-sailing. Port Vale's first home game since promotion, Vale Park will be bouncing which I could see resulting in a quick start for Vale. However, I feel City will grow into the game and come away with a convincing win, I hope.
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