Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of the Port Vale vs Sunderland FA Cup clash on Sunday afternoon. Premier League Sunderland are favourites to progress; however, League One bottom club Port Vale will be hoping their pitch and the magic of the cup will be equalising factors.
The Valiants beat Fleetwood Town in the third round, followed by an upset win against Championship side Bristol City. The Black Cats progressed in the third with a penalty shootout win at Everton and then a 1-0 win at Oxford United to book their place in the fifth round.
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FA Cup Fifth Round, Port Vale vs Sunderland: Team News and Predicted Lineups
Date: Sunday, 8th March 2026
Venue: Vale Park
Kick-off: 13:30 GMT
Last meeting: Port Vale 1-2 Sunderland (10th August 2021, League Cup)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Current odds: Port Vale 11/2, Sunderland 4/9
Port Vale Team News
Vale have no new injury issues with boss Jon Brady expected to keep faith in the team that beat Bristol City in midweek. Ahead of the game on Sunday, Brady said how proud he was of his squad and that Sunderland will find their pitch tough. “It’s incredible, they’ve worked so hard for each other they’re so connected to each other.
“We’re doing something in the moment, they’re finding out each other’s stories through their journey in life and it’s really connecting them. It’s very special. I’m always proud of this group since I’ve been here because people at the start probably doubted, but now what we’re trying to instil is paying dividends and long may that continue.
“It will be the ultimate test, but we are looking forward to it. Our pitch is tough to play on, but it’s tough for us to play on too.”
Sunderland Team News
The Black Cats will be without 10 first-team players. Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki are suspended, while the following are out injured. Bertrand Traore (knee), Robin Roefs (hamstring), Nordi Mukiele (calf), Brian Brobbey (groin), Dennis Cirkin (hamstring), Reinildo (knee), Romain Mundle (hamstring), and Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle).
Head coach Regis Le Bris has said that despite his squad being a lot smaller due to injuries and suspensions, he will select a strong team. He said: “The group will be small but we still want to go strong – the best XI as possible. It’s important for us and for the club and the fans. The group will be a bit different, yes, but still with 11, 12, 13 or 14 good players.”
On Port Vale’s pitch, “It can’t be an excuse. We play the game full of energy. We have to adapt because you can’t play, probably, especially next to your box. It’s hard to play short because the level of risk is high, but you can’t play football. You need to adapt because it’s key in that game, but it’s not so different. At the end, you have to find a solution. We play with the pitch, so I don’t want to highlight too much this part of the game.”
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Port Vale Predicted Lineup
Gauci
Hall
Gabriel
Archer
Walters
Gordon
Waine
Sherif
Humphreys
Shipley
Magloire
Subs: Amos, Headley, Stockley, Brown, John, Campbell, Ward, Gray, Hernandez
Sunderland Predicted Lineup
Ellborg
Geertruida
Ballard
Alderete
O’Nien
Xhaka
Le Fee
Rigg
Angulo
Talbi
Isidor
Subs: Moore, Mayenda, Diarra, Aleksic, H.Jones, J.Jones, Geragusyan, Whittaker, Kindon
Featured image courtesy of SmartFrame & Adam Gee/News Images
