Chesterfield vs Walsall Prediction: Hosts can take advantage of heartbreak

Sunday’s play-off action in League 2 sees Chesterfield host Walsall (15:30, Sky Sports Main Event) after the Saddlers came within a minute of securing automatic promotion on the final day. Mat Sadler’s men thought they had done enough by beating Crewe Alexandra, until a last-second Bradford City goal saw them drop back down to fourth position. 

It means it’s all to play for as they travel to take on the in-form Spireites. Below you can find my Chesterfield vs Walsall predictions. 

Team News

Chesterfield are in good form, so we cannot expect too many changes from Paul Cook heading into this one. It should be a fairly standard 4-3-3 we see from the experienced manager, who has a few experienced heads throughout the spine of his team. 

Kyle McFadzean captained Coventry in the 2023 Championship play-off final and is back fit after a season littered with injuries, while midfielder John Fleck has plenty of Premier League experience with Sheffield United. Will Grigg will lead the line at 33 having played up and down the pyramid over the past decade, while 32-year-old Ashley Palmer should partner McFadzean at the back.

Paddy Madden, Tom Naylor, Chey Dunkley and Michael Jacobs are also all seasoned pros, with 14 players in their squad aged 30 or over. 

Walsall gaffer Sadler has tried everything to arrest this poor run of form and having won on the final day, he could stick with that team that beat Crewe 1-0. Jamie Jellis and Levi Amantchi could start up top in this 3-4-1-2, supported by goalscorer George Hall.

David Okagbue, Harry Williams and Taylor Allen make up a young back three that has struggled, along with the rest of the team, to steady the ship since January. Tommy Simkin could be in for a busy evening in goal if they continue their poor run. 

Chesterfield vs Walsall Odds

Chesterfield have been priced up at 23/20 to win this game, giving them an implied win probability of 46%. A draw is 23/10 while Walsall can be backed at 5/2 to secure a vital win away from home. 

In terms of goals, Grigg is the favourite to score first at 5/1 having scored 12 this term, while over 2.5 goals can be backed at 1/1. BTTS is 4/5 as we look ahead to this intriguing first leg. 

Chesterfield to win @ 23/20

Walsall have just one win in 14 but it felt like a defeat, and they’ve only won three games since mid-January, albeit one of those did come against Chesterfield. The Saddlers were a winning machine earlier in the campaign and dominated most matches, which took 12 points clear at the top of the table and 17 points clear of Bradford City - the team that eventually beat them to third spot. 

Their demise has been one of the stories of the season and coincided with star striker Nathan Lowe being recalled by Stoke City, but they’ve been unable to find any solutions in his absence. As they have fallen away, Chesterfield have stormed into the top seven. 

Over the last 13 games, Chesterfield sit top of the form table with 28 points and they are the form team going into these play-offs, with key players now back from injury. Walsall have the 21st-best record in League 2 during that same time span, so we simply have to back the home side to come out on top in this home leg. 

Chesterfield -2 handicap @ 8/1

You know I like to go for one big price in these selections, and I just feel massively confident looking at Chesterfield. I also think the home leg being first benefits them given how both outfits are coming into the play-offs and I think we could see a slow start from Walsall who have taken another massive knock as they saw promotion slip through their fingers last weekend. 

Heartbreak is going to be tough to deal with for Walsall and their form is shocking, despite that final day win. Sadler has a massive job on their hands to get his side going once again, while Chesterfield have been simply superb in the last few months of the season. Having scored 10 goals in their last three home games they could come out here and absolutely smash Walsall. Let’s back a big home win for a bit of fun. 

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