As Port Vale prepare for their first home fixture of the season, they’ll be hoping to bounce back from a frustrating opening day defeat against Rotherham United. The visitors, Cardiff City, began their League One campaign on a more positive note with a comeback win against Peterborough. With both sides eager to build momentum early in the season, this Thursday night match offers plenty of value for punters – particularly when it comes to crafting a smart Bet Builder.
Here’s a three-part Bet Builder tip we’re backing ahead of the game. This trio of selections combines home advantage, midfield energy and attacking intent – and we break down the logic behind each below.
Here’s our Bet Builder pick for Port Vale vs Cardiff, which has been placed with Bet365:
WHY BETTING WITH BET365? | |
 | |
Open Account Offer – New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you five times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs , time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org | |
🏠 Port Vale to Win
Backing Port Vale to claim all three points may raise eyebrows given their recent head-to-head record against Cardiff, but context matters. While the Valiants came up short against Rotherham last weekend, they played the majority of the game with ten men and still managed to keep the scoreline tight. That performance, under testing circumstances, highlighted their resilience and ability to compete.
Thursday marks their return to Vale Park, where the atmosphere will be buoyed by a passionate home crowd eager to witness their first League One home game of the season. Despite missing key figures such as Ben Garrity and Jaheim Headley, Darren Moore still has a competitive side at his disposal.
Cardiff, meanwhile, may have earned a morale-boosting win over Peterborough, but they are still a team adjusting to life in League One after last season’s relegation. A long away trip on a Thursday night, coupled with lingering squad absentees and tactical bedding-in under a new manager, could leave them vulnerable. Port Vale will know this is a chance to assert themselves early in the campaign – and we fancy them to edge it.
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | Open Account Offer – New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you five times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs , time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org | New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. | New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. Acca Club: Available to new & existing customers. 3 or more selections. Min Odds: 3/10 (1.3) per leg. Max stake: £500. Max Winnings: £200,000 per boost. Profit Boost amounts vary. Horse Racing, Greyhounds & Trotting excluded. Exclusions apply. Full T&C’s apply. 18+ GambleAware.org. | New bettors. Select bonus at signup or use code SPORT. Wager deposit & bonus 8x. Max qualifying bet = bonus. Valid 60 days. Odds, bet & payment limits apply. T&Cs Apply; 18+ | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org |
🎯 George Byers – 1+ Shot on Target
George Byers offers more than just steady midfield control – he’s a player who regularly gets into advanced areas and isn’t afraid to test the goalkeeper. With Ben Garrity ruled out through injury, there’s even more responsibility on Byers to step up and provide forward thrust from the centre of the pitch.
Byers’ playing style suits a team looking to transition quickly, and against a Cardiff side who are still working on their defensive structure, he could find pockets of space in and around the box. The absence of Garrity also means Byers may see more of the ball in shooting positions, especially from the edge of the penalty area.
With Port Vale likely to create chances at home and Byers always willing to take on a shot when the opportunity presents itself, backing him to test the keeper at least once feels like a sharp inclusion in this Bet Builder.
Back Our Port Vale vs Cardiff Ultimate Bet Builder Tip Here
Newcastle vs Barcelona Ultimate Bet Builder Tip | |
60/1 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning This Bet Builder highlights Newcastle’s new striker Woltemade testing Barcelona’s defence, alongside two likely bookings. Burn’s physical style and Kounde’s battle with Gordon provide fertile ground for cards. With both sides highly motivated, these selections balance attacking threat with defensive pressure, making this a well-rounded betting approach. | |
🔥 Lorent Tolaj – 1+ Shot on Target
Lorent Tolaj is expected to lead the line once again for Port Vale, and his presence in the final third will be key to unsettling Cardiff’s defence. In the opening fixture, even when reduced to ten men, the Valiants found a way to threaten – and Tolaj will look to exploit a visiting backline that remains far from settled.
Cardiff are likely to reintroduce Calum Chambers into defence, but his return from suspension could come with some rust, while their usual right-back Perry Ng remains sidelined. This offers Tolaj an opportunity to find gaps in the defensive structure.
His physical style and ability to shoot from different angles make him a constant threat. Whether from open play or set-piece deliveries, the Swiss-born striker is more than capable of registering at least one shot on target – particularly with creative support from the likes of Byers and Shipley behind him.
Enhance your betting game with our daily free betting tips, predictions, and accumulators.
For more betting tips and news, check out:
Don’t forget to visit our Free Bets page for the best possible value from our Today’s Football Predictions, as well as our Predictions for Tomorrow’s Football Predictions.
