Chesterfield vs Notts County predictions: Spireites to edge home win over Magpies
Ross Kilvington
Chesterfield finished sixth in League Two this season
Notts County aiming to reach third tier for the first time since 2015
Recommended bet: Chesterfield to win @ Evens with LiveScore Bet
Chesterfield are hoping to take a step towards reaching League One for the first time since 2016 when they face Notts County in a League Two play-off semi-final first leg on Sunday.
The Spireites finished sixth in the table, just a single point behind their opponents, who have not featured in League One since 2015 and even spent four years out of the Football League between 2019 and 2023, two less than their opponents, who are in their second season back in the league.
It is set up to be an exciting play-off semi-final between these two well-matched teams.
The latest Chesterfield vs Notts County odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Chesterfield do not have any fresh injury concerns ahead of this first leg clash against County.
Kyle McFadzean was taken off at half-time against Swindon Town last weekend, but he is expected to make the starting XI on Sunday.
For the visitors, Lewis Macari suffered a serious injury against Colchester UNited in the penultimate game of the League Two regular season.
He will likely be replaced by Lucas Ness as Martin Paterson continues using a defensive back three.
The stats
Chesterfield hold the better of the head-to-head record against their opponents throughout the previous few years.
The Spireites have won the previous three meetings between these two teams, scoring seven goals in the process and conceding only three times.
County’s last win over Chesterfield came in the National League during the 2022/23 campaign, prevailing 2-1.
County faces the Derbyshire outfit in the play-offs that season also, winning 4-3 on penalties to secure a place back in the Football League at the expense of their opponents.
Chesterfield finished the regular season with five wins and two draws from their last seven matches, while Notts could only muster three wins in the same period, taking 10 points from 21 available.
Lee Bonis is the Spireites' top scorer with 16 goals this season, while Alassana Janna has 15 goals for the Magpies.
County scored more goals in League Two (74 vs 71) than their opponents, along with conceding fewer (52 vs 56), as they boasted a goal difference of +22 compared to +15 for Chesterfield.
The latest Chesterfield vs Notts County odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Chesterfield will still have that play-off final defeat to County from 2023 in their minds as Paul Cook's men eye revenge.
The first leg at home gives the Spireites a slight advantage and they begin the game as slight favourites for the win.
County did finish higher in the regular season, yet a poor run of form heading into this first leg has cast some doubt on whether the Meadow Lane side can make it through to the final.
In that case, expect a narrow win for the home side, a result which sets up the second leg nicely.
Score prediction: Chesterfield 1-0 Notts County
