Title chasing Notts County are set to travel to SMH Group Stadium where they will take on promotion hopefuls Chesterfield on Saturday in their 10th match of their 2024-25 League Two campaign.
The hosts are 12th with 14 points after 10 games and are just two points from seventh-placed Fleetwood Town, who occupy the division's final promotion playoff spot, while the visitors are fifth with 18 points and are one point from first-placed Walsall.
Match preview
![Chey Dunkley of Chesterfield during the Chesterfield FC v Sheffield United FC pre-season friendly match at the SMH Group Stadium, Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom on 20 July 2024 [on August 7, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/chey-dunkley.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Chey Dunkley of Chesterfield during the Chesterfield FC v Sheffield United FC pre-season friendly match at the SMH Group Stadium, Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom on 20 July 2024 [on August 7, 2024]")
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Chesterfield have drawn their last two matches 2-2, including last time out with league leaders Walsall on October 5.
The Blues can perhaps count themselves fortunate to have picked up a point against Walsall considering they created no big chances while conceding five themselves.
Danny Webb, who is the assistant manager to Paul Cook, said in the aftermath of his side's draw that he was pleased the team were able to showcase their defensive resilience in the penalty area.
The hosts have proven difficult to beat in recent times given they are undefeated in their last four games and have lost just twice in their 11 most recent matches, winning five and drawing on four occasions.
Chesterfield's record at home this term is mixed, with Cook's side drawing four and winning two of their six matches at SMH Group Stadium, and they have also failed to keep a clean sheet at home.
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As for the visitors, they come into Saturday's clash having lost their last two fixtures, including their most recent league game 1-0 against Port Vale on October 5.
Boss Stuart Maynard said that he believed Lorent Tolaj's winner for Port Vale in the 23rd minute should have been ruled out for offside, but he will have been concerned that his team conceded three big chances despite having 72% possession.
The Magpies lost 2-0 against Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, though Maynard was full of praise for his team and even went as far as to say his young players were excellent on the night.
Of the 24 clubs in League Two, Notts County have averaged the highest possession figure, averaged the joint third most goals per match and have conceded the fourth least goals per game.
Prior to losing their last two games, Notts County had won six, drawn one and lost one of their previous eight fixtures, scoring 17 goals and conceding seven times in that period.
The Magpies' form away from home has been impressive in recent weeks, with Maynard's team winning four and drawing one of their five most recent fixtures on the road.
Team News
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Chesterfield will assess Devan Tanton, who has missed the last two games due to injury, as well as midfielder John Fleck.
The hosts could name a similar XI to the side that drew with Walsall, so expect goalkeeper Max Thompson to start behind centre-backs Chey Dunkley and Harvey Araujo.
Darren Oldaker and Tom Naylor may be selected to play in a double pivot, while Will Grigg is likely to lead from the front.
Meanwhile, Notts County will be without winger Jodi Jones as a result of a fractured tibia bone.
Alex Bass is likely to start in goal, and he could be shielded by centre-backs Lewis Macari, Matthew Platt and Jacob Bedeau.
Elsewhere, Daniel Crowley, Sam Austin and Alassana Jatta may be chosen to lead the attack, though Josh Martin could be an option to appear from the bench in the forward line.
Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Thompson; Mandeville, Dunkley, Araujo, Gordon; Naylor, Oldaker; Markanday, Banks, Dobra; Grigg
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Bass; Macari, Platt, Bedeau; Gordon, Robertson, Palmer, Tsaroulla; Crowley, Austin; Jatta
We say: Chesterfield 1-1 Notts County
Considering Chesterfield have drawn four of their six matches at home this season, it is difficult to see them losing on Saturday.
However, the hosts are yet to keep a clean sheet at SMH Group Stadium, and Notts County will no doubt get chances of their own in front of goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
