Walsall vs Chesterfield Prediction: Goals expected in second leg

Walsall host Chesterfield in the second leg of their League 2 play-off semi-final (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event) holding a two-goal lead after the first leg. That result came as somewhat of a surprise as Mat Sadler’s men found their form despite having thrown away a 14-point lead at the top of the league to fall into the play-offs. 

Can they get the job done on Friday? Read on to find my Walsall vs Chesterfield predictions. 

Team News

We can expect more of the same from Walsall after a wonderful performance in that first leg has secured them a 2-0 lead to bring back to the Bescot. Jamille Matt and George Hall should continue as the front two, and I can see Sadler naming the same XI, given there has been a decent break between these two fixtures. 

Defender Taylor Allen took himself into double figures for the season when he converted a penalty, and he will start alongside Harry Williams and David Okagbue. Nathan Asiimwe and Liam Gordon were impressive as the wing-backs, and Sadler will want them to show the same attacking intent and bravery as they did in the first leg - as Chesterfield will look to pin them back. 

Alfie Chang bagged the other goal in the away leg and he was withdrawn just after the hour mark for Brandon Comley, but Chang is expected to get the nod again. The experienced Albert Adomah could be called upon in the final third to see the game out. 

For Chesterfield boss Paul Cook, this game represents a real dilemma. His side were picked off in that first leg so he will have to be slightly wary of going all-out attack too early, even though his side need at least two goals. They created a few chances of their own, with Will Grigg spurning a great opportunity, but the experienced striker will be backed again to score by his manager. 

The entire front three underperformed but I can’t see Cook ripping up his gameplan completely, with Michael Jacobs a potential option to freshen things up. John Fleck will have to have more control of this game from midfield, as Chesterfield look to pull off an unlikely comeback. 

Walsall vs Chesterfield Odds

Walsall are unsurprisingly the favourites to win this game on the night, and the tie. You can get 23/20 on them to win the game in 90 minutes, while they are just 1/25 to win the tie. On the night, a draw can be backed at 13/5 while a Chesterfield win is 11/5 and remember - they need to win by two just to force extra time. 

Over 2.5 goals could be worth considering at 10/11 while BTTS is 4/5. Matt is the favourite to open the scoring at 11/2. 

BTTS @ 4/5 

I’ll back BTTS to come in during this game, based on the strength of both attacks and the game state. Chesterfield have to come out an open up, with Grigg and his fellow attackers chasing the goals they need to keep them in the tie. 

Meanwhile, Walsall showed how effective they can be in that first leg, and I don’t think Sadler will be particularly keen to set up defensively. His side won just one of their last 14 matches heading into the play-offs, but pulled off an unlikely victory to put themselves in pole position to qualify for Wembley. 

That first result went against the form book, but Walsall’s underlying numbers have remained good in an attacking sense of late. As a result, I’ll back both teams to score in what should be an open and interesting second leg at the Bescot Stadium on Friday night. 

Will Grigg to score anytime @ 2/1

We talked about form a lot in the build-up to the first leg and ended up with egg on our faces, but I do want to back Grigg to score in this second leg. The Spireites had lost just one of their last 13 games of the regular season, so combined with Walsall’s dreadful run, the two-goal win defied all logic.

This second leg is going to be an even affair in my eyes, but Chesterfield have to show more attacking intent and ruthlessness in front of goal. Grigg remains their biggest goal threat having scored 12 goals and three in his final three matches of the regular league season. He should be able to take advantage of a Walsall defence who will be nervy if they concede the first goal. 

I’m not sure Chesterfield can turn this tie around, but I think we’re getting a decent price on Grigg to score anytime. 

Offers

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