Chesterfield vs Notts County Prediction: Hosts are out for revenge

There is an East Midlands derby coming our way on Saturday (12:30, Sly Sports Main Event) as Chesterfield welcome Notts County to the Technique Stadium. This is the first meeting between the two sides since the Magpies were promoted back to the Football League in the 2023 National League play-off final, which they won via a penalty shoot-out.

Chesterfield won the title the following year and have started well being back in League 2. The Spireites sit in mid-table but are only two points off the play-off places. Notts County are fifth but are one point behind league leaders Walsall. Read on for my Chesterfield vs Notts County prediction, including match odds and team news.

Chesterfield vs Notts County Odds

Chesterfield are 1/1 to win this match and get revenge for that play-off final heartbreak. This gives them a theoretical chance of 50%. Notts County are priced at 5/2, giving them an implied probability of 28.6%. The draw is on offer at 11/4 (26.7%).

Both teams to score is available at 8/15, while over 2.5 goals is marketed at 4/7.

Notts County striker Alassana Jatta has scored four times in League 2 so far and he is valued at 15/2 to open the scoring on Saturday, or 12/5 to score anytime. His teammate and fellow forward David McGoldrick has found the back of the net on four occasions and he is 15/8 to score anytime, or 6/1 to open proceedings.

Magpies midfielder Dan Crowley has three goals in the league and he can be backed at 5/2 to find the back of the net at any stage during this contest.

Chesterfield duo Will Grigg and Dilan Markanday have three goals apiece, too, and they are 6/4 and 23/10 respectively to score anytime at the Technique Stadium.

Football Odds

Team News 

Spireites boss Paul Cook doesn't have too many injury concerns heading into the weekend. Young defender Devan Tanton has missed the last two matches and he will be assessed ahead of the weekend. They will also take a close look on veteran midfielder John Fleck, who joined up over the summer.

As the joint-leading scorers for Chesterfield, Grigg and Markanday will link up again in attack, while Tom Naylor will look to dictate the tempo from the middle of the park. Defender Chey Dunkley will be given a tough task in keeping the Magpies quiet.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last four league encounters so Cook may refrain from making wholesale changes at the moment.

For Notts County, they have been handed a blow in the tibia injury sustained by their joint-top scorer Jodi Jones against Gillingham last month. Last season's League 2 Player of the Season is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and isn't expected back until the second half of the campaign.

Draw or Notts County and both teams to score @ 8/5

This should be a very interesting encounter in the East Midlands, and I don't know about you, but I'll be tuning in for this on Saturday - what else are you going to do during an international break?

Chesterfield will be looking to get one back against the visitors, who are going through a period of inconsistency on the pitch right now. The Spireites are unbeaten in their last four in the league and they picked up an impressive draw with leaders Walsall last weekend.

Notts County were beaten by promotion rivals Port Vale last Saturday, and they have found games difficult when coming up against some of the other strong sides in the division.

Chesterfield look to be the next test for them, as some people had them pinned to follow Wrexham in completing back-to-back promotions this term. With the home advantage, and the visitors' inconsistent form, I can see the Spireites frustrating the Magpies.

Maynard and his players need to use this match to show that they can handle themselves against opponents they are competing with for promotion this season. They have been up and down in recent weeks but they've still picked up two wins from their last five.

It's a tough call because Chesterfield are doing well at the moment, but I'm leaning towards covering Notts County with a draw because I feel as though the team have a point to prove in a clutch game such as this.

Live on TV, they will want to fire a shot to their rivals that they are a threat to every side in the fourth tier. They have the attacking talent to do just that with the likes of Jatta, McGoldrick and Crowley, but whether it gets put into practice is another matter.

I have boosted the odds by adding both teams to score. Both sides feature players who have been prolific in front of goal in League 2 this term, so I think this East Midlands clash can deliver the goods in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

BTTS has been a winning selection in six of Chesterfield's 10 outings in the league, as well as in five of Notts County's 10 league fixtures thus far.

Alassana Jatta anytime goalscorer @ 12/5

I think there's value to be had in backing a goalscorer in this contest and there are plenty to choose from given the names that I have dropped throughout this preview.

The one I have gone with is Notts County's Jatta. Like most of the other candidates I've mentioned, he's had a strong start to the season and his record of four goals in six League 2 appearances is evidence of that.

I find it interesting that his last two goals have come on away soil, so I think a trend is starting to form for him on the road. In a game in which his team need to make a statement after a couple of disappointing defeats in recent weeks, I think he can step to be a source of inspiration for his side.

Offers

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