Chesterfield vs Man City U21 Prediction: Spireites set to show their class

Having only celebrated promotion from the National League last season, Chesterfield are returning to the EFL Trophy for the first time in seven years and they will be hoping to make a winning start to Group C in the Northern section against Manchester City U21’s.

Read on for my Chesterfield vs Man City U21 prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

The Spireites drew their opening game in League Two 1-1 against Swindon but they responded in emphatic fashion, posting a 5-0 victory over Crewe at Gresty Road on Saturday.

Paul Cook’s side were beaten 2-1 away at Derby in the opening round of the EFL Cup, which means they may be determined to put up a stronger showing in the EFL Trophy.

Manchester City U21’s saw their domestic season in the Premier League 2 begin with a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool U21’s, while last season in the EFL Trophy they failed to win any of their three matches, drawing with Grimsby before enduring losses against Barnsley and Bradford.

Team News

Chesterfield had six players sidelined for Saturday’s 5-0 victory at Crewe and Ryheem Sheckleford, Ash Palmer, Paddy Madden and Liam Mandeville are all-but certain to miss out again on Tuesday.

Ryan Colclough and Devan Tanton were supposed to start Saturday’s victory, but the former was not risked due to a tight thigh, while the latter saw his calf flare up in training on Friday. That pair are unlikely to be involved either this midweek.

Chesterfield vs Man City U21 Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Chesterfield vs Man City U21 page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Chesterfield are 23/20 to get their EFL Cup campaign underway with a victory, while Manchester City U21’s are 9/5 and the draw is available at 5/2.

A high-scoring encounter is forecast and both teams to score is available at 2/5, while over 2.5 goals is priced at 4/9.

Chesterfield to win @ 23/20

Despite only securing promotion from the National League last season, Chesterfield are amongst the favourites for the League Two title and they lived up to that billing in Saturday’s 5-0 rout of Crewe.

Cook’s side had been frustrated in a 1-1 draw at home to Swindon prior to that, so it was an excellent response away at a team that had been beaten in the League Two play-off final just last season.

On the whole, U21 sides hailing from Premier League clubs tend to struggle in this competition against senior squads and that was the case for Manchester City last season.

The Citizens drew 2-2 away at Grimsby in their opening EFL Trophy assignment before losing 3-1 at Barnsley and 3-0 at Bradford, suggesting that they may struggle against a side expected to contend for the League Two title.

Chesterfield half-time/full-time @ 5/2

With Chesterfield expected to have a class edge on their younger rivals, it may be worth backing the Spireites to stamp their authority early on.

In their latest 5-0 crushing of Crewe, Chesterfield took just 32 seconds to take the lead through James Berry and they were three goals to the good after 12 minutes with Berry bagging a brace and Will Grigg also hitting the target.

Of the seven goals they have scored this season, six have come in the opening half which bodes well for another fast start at the SMH Group Stadium.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.