National League outfit Chesterfield will play host to League Two high-flyers Northampton Town in an FA Cup first-round tie on Saturday.
The visitors currently occupy third spot in England's fourth tier after consecutive draws, while their opponents hold the same position in the division below and will aim to pull off something of an upset.
Match preview
Chesterfield come into Saturday's FA Cup first-round fixture hoping for another positive run in the domestic competition after reaching the third round last time around, beating Southend United and Salford City before earning a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea and losing 5-1.
They have already been in action in this year's competition too, entering in at the final round of qualifying with a trip to Anstey Nomads, and Paul Cook's side progressed as Armando Dobra, Akwasi Asante and Kabongo Tshimanga got on the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory.
On their return to league action after that win, the Spireites have built a fine run of form in their bid to return to England's fourth tier this term, going four league games unbeaten and scoring three victories, having firstly beaten Bromley before drawing 1-1 away at York City.
Following a 2-0 triumph at home to Boreham Wood, Cook's men would continue building momentum with a 2-1 triumph over Gateshead on Tuesday, as Joe Quigley drew them level in the first half and Liam Mandeville netted what turned out to be the deciding goal soon after half time, strengthening the Derbyshire outfit's position in the top three as a result.
Now briefly turning their focus away from their league pursuits, Chesterfield will aim to recreate last year's heroics and dump Football League opposition out of the FA Cup in their attempt to reach the later stages of the competition.
However, they meet a Northampton Town side who have also enjoyed a strong start to their league campaign, with the visitors sat third in League Two after 17 games.
In that time, the Cobblers have managed to earn 32 points and nine victories, although only one of those wins and six points have come from the last six outings, as they have somewhat faltered after a five-game winning run, firstly losing two games on the bounce before playing out a creditable draw away at fellow promotion-chasers Leyton Orient.
Jon Brady's side did then return to winning ways in dramatic fashion away at Stevenage, as Shaun McWilliams sealed a 3-2 victory with an 87th-minute goal soon after Alex Gilbey drew their hosts level, and they now come into Saturday's trip on the back of consecutive draws, most recently sharing the points at home to Newport County.
Their visitors went ahead inside two minutes through Omar Bogle and led throughout the contest, looking set to take all three points back to Wales, only for Sam Hoskins to pop up with a 93rd-minute winner and force a share of the spoils at Sixfields, keeping his side ahead of fourth-placed Sutton United and in the automatic promotion spots as a result.
Having failed to get past the first round in each of the last two seasons after a memorable trip to the fourth round in the 2019-20 season, the Cobblers will look to improve their cup fortunes this time around and get the ball rolling with a victory in Derbyshire.
- W
Team News
Joe Quigley led the Chesterfield line against Gateshead, and he could keep his place after getting on the scoresheet in that game, although Kabongo Tshimanga will be fighting to come in from the outset, with the 25-year-old boasting four goals in 11 league appearances so far this term.
Whichever striker is deployed will have plenty of support, with Liam Mandeville having also contributed four goals while Armando Dobra has shown quality on the left flank since arriving from Ipswich Town.
At the other end of the pitch, Laurence Maguire is vying to come in at the heart of the defence, having made over 150 appearances for the Spireites, but he is yet to start this season with Jamie Grimes and Tyrone Williams often preferred at the back.
Northampton Town's star man so far this season has been winger Sam Hoskins, who tops the League Two scoring charts with 12 goals in 13 fourth-tier appearances, and he should pose a major threat to the hosts' defence on Saturday.
He could again flank Louis Appere, who has only managed three goals in all competitions so far and will aim to find his scoring form, with Mitch Pinnock also playing an important role in the front line.
Sam Sherring should again partner Jon Guthrie in the middle of a back four with Shaun McWilliams set to operate at the base of the midfield.
Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Fitzsimons; King, Williams, Grimes, Clements; Oldaker, Jones; Mandeville, Whelan, Dobra; Tshimanga
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Burge; McGowan, Sherring, Guthrie, Lintott; McWilliams, Leonard; Pinnock, Hoskins; Appere, Bowie
We say: Chesterfield 1-3 Northampton Town
Saturday's game should certainly not be straightforward for the visitors, who come up against a side knocking on the door of League Two, but if Jon Brady deploys a full-strength Northampton side, they should have enough to come out of the contest with a victory and a place in the second round booked.
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