Take a look at everything you need to know ahead of our Boxing Day visit to Vale Park.
Port Vale v Barrow
Saturday 26th December 2020, 3pm
Vale Park
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Port Vale enjoyed an excellent start to the 2020/21 campaign and were sitting pretty in the play-off positions at the end of October on the back of four wins from five in League Two.
However, John Askey’s men have struggled to maintain that level of consistency in the weeks that have followed and come in to this weekend’s game with just one league win their last nine outings.
A ridiculous 6-3 win at Bolton Wanderers at the beginning of the month boosted confidence, but Vale have since drawn back-to-back home games and lost 4-3 at Walsall last time out despite taking a 2-0 first half lead.
Fans will be hoping they can rediscover their best form over the festive period and go in to the New Year with renewed hope of a return to League One for the first time since 2017.
One To Watch
Front man Devante Rodney has run in to some great form in recent weeks and looks one of Port Vale’s main threats ahead of Barrow’s Boxing Day visit to Vale Park.
The 22-year-old powerhouse signed for The Valiants during the summer following his release from Salford City and has fired five goals in his last ten appearances.
Blessed with strength, pace and a keen eye for goal, Rodney broke through in to senior football with Hartlepool United after coming through the ranks at Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday.
Head To Head
Saturday’s game will be the 17th competitive encounter between the two clubs but the first since they shared a division back in the 1966/67 campaign.
On that occasion it was Vale who had the better of it, winning 2-1 on home turf after taking a point in a 2-2 draw from their visit to Barrow earlier in the season.
The Bluebirds’ last victory over Vale came back in February 1938 – that 3-0 home triumph is one of only two wins we have managed in this fixture.
Referee
Samuel Barrott will take charge of his second Barrow game of the campaign when he’s on the whistle for our Boxing Day trip to Vale Park.
Bluebirds fans may remember he was on the whistle for our 1-1 draw with Colchester United at The Progression Solicitors Stadium in the opening month of the season.
He’s overseen 13 games in all competitions so far in 2020/21, his most recent coming at Boundary Park just over two weeks ago when he saw Sunderland beat Oldham Athletic in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Betting
Port Vale have been installed as 21/20 favourites for three points on Boxing Day, with The Bluebirds rated a 12/5 shot and the draw also priced up at 12/5 with our friends at Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at Sky Bet’s range of odds on Saturday’s action.
Live Streaming
Match Passes to watch Saturday’s game live on iFollow Barrow are now available – fans are reminded that Season Ticket holders do not get free access to away games.
Fans in the UK can buy a Match Pass to watch the action now priced at £10, while overseas supporters pay £7.
Click here now to buy your Match Pass for this weekend’s game.
Live Commentary
We will also provide an audio commentary of this weekend’s game when we link up with BBC Radio Cumbria with Adam Johnson and Mark Boyd who will describe all the action as it unfolds.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.