Mansfield battle Port Vale in the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium
(Picture: Getty Images)Mansfield meet Port Vale at Wembley in the League Two play-off final this afternoon, with a place in the third tier on the line.
Nigel Clough’s Mansfield have enjoyed a remarkable season, having been in the relegation zone back in October after a 14-match run without a win in all competitions.
The Stags turned their season around though and were in the hunt for an automatic promotion spot, before finishing seventh and then beating Northampton in the play-off semi-finals. Mansfield are looking to return to the third tier of English football for the first time in almost 20 years.
For Port Vale, it’s only been five years since they were relegated from League One. Three defeats in their final four games of season dented their hopes of going straight up, and they then needed penalties to get past Swindon in the semi-finals.
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Date, kick-off time and venue
The League Two play-off final is scheduled for a 4pm BST kick-off time today, Saturday May 28, 2022.
Wembley Stadium in London will host the match.
Where to watch Mansfield vs Port Vale
TV channel: In the UK, today’s final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage beginning on the latter at 3:30pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch the game online via the Sky Go app.
Mansfield vs Port Vale team news
James Perch is expected to start for Mansfield, just nine months on from fracturing his skull in training.
Matty Longstaff and Jamie Murphy will both be trying to force their way into the side, after they had to settle for a place on the bench in the second leg of the semi-finals.
Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke made more than 150 appearances for Mansfield as a player, over the six years he spent at the club.
Clarke should have a fully fit squad to choose from as he prepares to face his former employers.
Mansfield vs Port Vale prediction
It’s Port Vale who got the better of Mansfield in the two matches between the sides this season, winning 3-1 at home in March and earning a 1-1 draw on the road back in October.
But it was an impressive performance from the Stags in the semi-finals, while Port Vale were taken all the way to penalties.
Mansfield finished the season in better form and they look poised to secure League One football.
Mansfield to win, 2-0.
Head to head (h2) history and results
Mansfield wins: 18
Draws: 16
Port Vale wins: 24
