Colchester – Port Vale

Colchester host bottom‑of‑the‑table Port Vale at the Community Stadium with both sides sitting on 12 points, though the U’s sit a spot higher in 19th place thanks to a superior goal difference (‑2 to Vale’s ‑4). The home side have struggled to find the net, managing just 11 goals while conceding 14, whereas Vale have been even more stingy in attack with only six scores from ten games. With Colchester’s record of two wins, six draws and three losses contrasted against Vale’s three wins, three draws and four defeats, the fixture promises a tight battle for the crucial points needed to escape the relegation zone. Both teams will be eager to turn their modest point totals into a vital lift in the standings.