Walsall will take on Chesterfield on Friday, 16 May, in the second leg of their League Two playoff semi-final.
The hosts come into the match in a commanding position after winning the first leg 2-0 away from home, but the playoffs are unpredictable at the best of times, so they won't be looking forward to a trip to Wembley just yet.
As part of this week's round of League Two betting tips, check out our Walsall vs Chesterfield prediction below.
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Walsall vs Chesterfield prediction: The visitors to make things close
Key stats
- Walsall have lost two of their last three home matches.
- Prior to the first leg, Chesterfield had lost just one of their last 13 matches.
- Both teams have scored in two of the last three meetings between these clubs.
Correct score prediction: Walsall 1-2 Chesterfield
Walsall's victory last week went against the trending results of both teams, so it feels unlikely that the same thing will happen twice in a week. Walsall also come into the match not needing a win; in fact, our predicted result would see them through. Given that Chesterfield will be the more aggressive team, it makes more logical sense to back them to win, particularly when combined with their recent form.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Walsall are the narrow favourites
- HOME: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Walsall vs Chesterfield odds are weighted in favour of the hosts, which is good news for us as it adds more value on our prediction of an away win. Ladbrokes have given the hosts a 44.4% chance of winning on the night, while Chesterfield have been given just a 32.3% chance of victory.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Advantage Walsall
Walsall do have an impressive recent record against Chesterfield, which is perhaps why they are being backed by the bookies to win once again on Friday night. The Saddlers are unbeaten in their last four matches against Chesterfield (three wins and one draw), with the Spireites' last win in this fixture coming in August 2016.
England League 2 11/05/25
Chesterfield
Walsall
England League 2 15/02/25
Walsall
Chesterfield
England League 2 05/10/24
Chesterfield
Walsall
England League 1 07/03/17
Walsall
Chesterfield
England League 1 16/08/16
Chesterfield
Walsall
Walsall preview: Barrett remains on the naughty step
Connor Barrett remains unavailable for Walsall after being red-carded on the final day of the regular season. Barrett has been a mainstay at the back for the club all season, so his absence at the back will be felt. Ellis Harrison, Priestley Farquharson and Jack Earing will all miss out due to injury, with Harrison the only one with a fighting chance of playing in the final should Walsall qualify.
Predicted lineup: Simkin (GK), Okagbue, Williams, Allen, Asiimwe, Stirk, Gordon, Chang, Jellis, Hall, Mat
England League 2 11/05/25
W
Chesterfield
0
Walsall
2
England League 2 03/05/25
W
Crewe
0
Walsall
1
England League 2 26/04/25
L
Accrington Stanley
1
Walsall
0
England League 2 21/04/25
D
Newport County
0
Walsall
0
England League 2 18/04/25
D
Harrogate Town
2
Walsall
2
Chesterfield preview: Will the returning duo be unleashed from the start?
The only positives that Chesterfield could take from the first leg were that Jack Sparkes and Armando Dobra both made their injury comebacks off the bench. Given how poor the team were in that match, though, there is every chance the duo will be thrown in from the start this time around.
Predicted lineup: Boot(GK), Mandeville, Palmer, McFadzean, Gordon, Metcalfe, Sparkes, Naylor, Olakigbe, Dobra, 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
Player to watch: Will Grigg
Will Grigg is most famous for a) scoring the winner for Wigan against Man City in the FA Cup back in 2018 and b) his song at Euro 2016. However, he can etch his name into Chesterfield's history books if he can contribute towards a comeback win on Friday night. Grigg is the club's top goalscorer this season with 12 league goals to his name.