Our prediction for this League 1 match:
Port Vale
Match Time & Date:
26/12/2023
16:00
Prediction: 1-1
Barnsley
Port Vale and Barnsley square off against each other at Vale Park in what is expected to be a close League One clash. The Valiants have been showing signs of improvement of late, with the team beating both Exeter and Wigan, while sharing the spoils with Wycombe. Port Vale are eyeing their fifth home win of the process, but the Boxing Day game will be anything but a walk in the park for the home side.
As for the home team, midfielder Conor Grant is pushing for a start. The Tykes, on the other hand, aim to build on a 2-1 win over Stevenage. Barnsley are eager to climb to the playoffs berth and given their attacking potential, both teams to score betting option should be considered. Barnsley head coach Neill Collins has a luxury to field the best possible side against Port Vale.
Highlighted Player (Funso Ojo ):
Funso Ojo is a Belgium international who plays for Aberdeen as a midfielder. Ojo was born in Antwerp on August 28, 1991, starting his youth career at Olse Merksem. In 2004 he was spotted by PSV scouts, moving to Eindhoven very soon.
Funso Ojo made 11 appearances for PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie before moving to Beerschot AC, yet another club from his youth career. The Belgium international played for the likes of Royal Antwerp, Dordrecht, Willem II, and Scunthorpe United before signing a deal with Aberdeen in 2019. Funso Ojo made his Scotland Premiership debut in a 3-2 win over Hearts.
Speaking of his international career, Ojo has one cap with the Belgium U21 team, but he has yet to earn a call-up for the Belgium senior team. His primary position is central midfield, but he is capable of producing fine displays as a defensive midfielder. As his parents are of Nigeria descent, the Aberdeen footballer has a dual citizenship.
Highlighted Team (Barnsley):
Barnsley are an English club nicknamed the Tykes. The club was founded in 1887 and it has to be noted that they spend more seasons in the Championship than any other club in the history. The Tykes played in the Sheffield and District League from 1890, but in 1895 they were part of the Midland League. Barnsley play their home games at Oakwell, the stadium that was built in 1887.
The capacity of the stadium is 23,009 and it was opened back in 1888, just one year after the club’s foundation. The Tykes made it to the FA Cup final in 1910, but Newcastle United proved to be a big catch for the Oakwell outfit in the title game.
Nonetheless, Barnsley won the FA cup trophy in 1912 and that is considered the club’s biggest success. Barnsley defeated West Bromwich Albion in the two-legged tie (0-0, 1-0) to clinch the prestigious trophy for the first and only time in their history.
Anderlecht 
Porto 
Athletic Bilbao 
Elfsborg
AZ
Galatasaray 
Heidenheim 
Chelsea 
Manchester United 
Bodo Glimt
Real Sociedad
Ajax
