Chesterfield vs Walsall predictions, betting tips and odds: Sinking Saddlers face an uphill battle

Where to watch Chesterfield vs Walsall

You can watch Chesterfield vs Walsall in the League Two playoffs at 3.30pm on Sunday, May 11, live on Sky Sports Football

Chesterfield vs Walsall prediction & best bet

Chesterfield
1pt 11-10 general

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Chesterfield vs Walsall odds

Here are the latest odds ahead of Chesterfield vs Walsall in the League Two playoff semi-final

Odds correct at time of publishing

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Chesterfield vs Walsall predictions

Walsall finished seven points above Chesterfield in the League Two table but the Saddlers look second best in this playoff semi-final.

Missing out on automatic promotion by only one point after finishing fourth that may be tough for Walsall to take given the situation that they had earlier found themselves in.

The Midlands side had been odds-on for the title as recently as early March but failed to win in 13 games before stopping the rot with a 1-0 victory at struggling Crewe on the final day of the campaign.

Mat Sadler’s side struggled to adapt once 15-goal striker Nathan Lowe was recalled by parent club Stoke in January and their inexperienced squad may be put to the sword by Chesterfield, who finished fast to snatch seventh away from Salford, Grimsby and Colchester.

The Spireites lost only one of their final 13 matches, winning on eight occasions, and their 1-0 victory at Accrington on the last day of the season was enough to secure their playoff place.

Paul Cook’s men had started the season as ante-post title favourites following their dominance in the National League the year before and they certainly know how to get over the winning line.

Chesterfield’s squad is packed with EFL quality and experience - Kyle McFadzean anchors the defence while Will Grigg leads the line - and they arrive in much better form than their visitors.

Despite needing a late flourish to record a top-seven finish, Chesterfield lost only three of their 23 home league games and that included a 5-2 win over champions Doncaster plus draws with promoted pair Port Vale and Bradford.

These teams drew 2-2 at the SMH Group Stadium this season but the departed Lowe grabbed both of Walsall’s goals on that occasion and they have won only two of their last 12 away games, firing five blanks during that period.

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Key stat

Chesterfield have won eight of their last 13 league matches.

Chesterfield vs Walsall team news

Chesterfield
The hosts remain without Vontae Daley-Campbell, Janoi Donacien, Chey Dunkley, Mike Jones, Ryheem Sheckleford and Tyrone Williams. Meanwhile, Ollie Banks, Armando Dobra and Bailey Hobson are unlikely to feature.

Walsall
The Saddlers have Priestly Farquharson and Jack Earing on the sidelines, otherwise Mat Sadler has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Chesterfield vs Walsall predicted line-ups

Chesterfield (4-3-3): Boot; Mandeville, Palmer, McFadzean, Gordon; Metcalfe, Naylor, Fleck; Olakigbe, Grigg, Colclough.
Subs: Drummond, Duffy, Jacobs, Grimes, People, Oldaker.

Walsall (3-4-1-2): Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Asiimwe, Stirk, Chang, Gordon; Hall; Jellis, Matt.
Subs: Amantchi, Adomah, Gordon, Lakin, Johnson, McEntee.

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