Chesterfield FC kick off their 2025/26 EFL League Two campaign by taking on Barrow AFC at the SMH Group Stadium in Chesterfield on Saturday, 2 August.
View our EFL League Two predictions after going through our key Chesterfield vs Barrow tips below.
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Chesterfield vs Barrow prediction: Draw on the cards
Key Stats
- Chesterfield won just once in their five preseason friendly matches (D2, L2).
- The Spireites are unbeaten in 25 of their last 29 competitive home games.
- Barrow are undefeated in their last seven away league outings (W3, D4).
- The Bluebirds last won a league H2H against Chesterfield in 1967.
Correct score prediction: Chesterfield 1-1 Barrow
Chesterfield closed their 2024/25 campaign poorly – losing back-to-back games and ultimately finishing in seventh position. Paul Cook’s men followed that up with just one victory, a 5-0 hammering of Burton Albion, in five friendly outings.
They welcome a Barrow side who pulled clear of the relegation zone last season, thanks to a seven-match undefeated streak to end the league campaign, including a run of four draws in the final four games. Andy Whing’s men played six friendlies in July, winning four of those and losing the other two. With both teams in uncertain form, we expect an interesting draw to play out at SMH Group Stadium.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts all the way
- HOME: 4/6 (1.66) – 60.2%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.8%
*odds from Oddschecker, subject to change
Chesterfield lost their final home match last term, halting an impressive seven-match unbeaten streak at home. Bookmakers price the hosts to win, at odds of 4/6 (1.66), suggesting a win probability rate of 60.2%.
On the other hand, Barrow enter this season-opening clash as underdogs following a relatively positive preseason in the summer. Bookmakers price the visitors at 19/5 (4.80) – a 20.8% chance of triumph.
All predictions for today’s games can be found in a comprehensive manner on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Who will claim bragging rights?
Barrow’s last H2H victory over Chesterfield was in the National League back in 2018, but it’s been 58 years since the Bluebirds beat the hosts in one of English football's top tiers. Meanwhile, Chesterfield won both H2Hs 1-0 last season.
England League 2 29/03/25
Barrow
Chesterfield
England League 2 23/11/24
Chesterfield
Barrow
England National League 24/08/19
Chesterfield
Barrow
England National League 26/01/19
Chesterfield
Barrow
England National League 14/08/18
Barrow
Chesterfield
Chesterfield preview: Home advantage in the opener
Tyrone Williams and Patrick Madden are expected to miss this clash. However, following a busy transfer window, Paul Cook could deploy all six of the club’s new summer signings, handing them their competitive debuts in the opening game of the new season.
Predicted lineup: Hemming (GK), Daley-Campbell, Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon, Fleck, Stirk, Markanday, Duffy, Bonis & Grigg
England League 2 11/05/25
L
Walsall
2
Chesterfield
0
England League 2 03/05/25
W
Accrington Stanley
0
Chesterfield
1
England League 2 26/04/25
W
Morecambe
1
Chesterfield
4
England League 2 21/04/25
D
Bradford
3
Chesterfield
3
England League 2 18/04/25
D
AFC Wimbledon
0
Chesterfield
0
Barrow preview: Odds lined up against them
Andy Whing has no injury issues to deal with, as his side travel to Derbyshire hoping to upset the hosts.
Predicted lineup: Stanway (GK), Canavan, Raglan, Foley, Jackson, Newby, Harper, Smith, Barkhuizen, Cameron & Hemmings
England League 2 03/05/25
D
Colchester
0
Barrow
0
England League 2 26/04/25
D
Bromley
3
Barrow
3
England League 2 21/04/25
D
Tranmere
0
Barrow
0
England League 2 18/04/25
D
Fleetwood Town
0
Barrow
0
England League 2 12/04/25
W
Walsall
0
Barrow
2
Player to Watch: Innes Cameron
Cameron struggled to find his footing for Kilmarnock last term, netting just once in 20 Scottish Premiership appearances. However, the newly-signed centre-forward will be brimming with confidence after an impressive preseason with Barrow, where he claimed MOTM on two occasions, striking three goals in the process.