- Chesterfield are unbeaten in their last 5 League Two matches (W3, D2), including winning their last 2.
- Notts County have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 League Two games.
Spice in the air as Chesterfield and Notts County renew rivalry
Chesterfield sit 6th in League Two with 79 points from 46 games, one point behind Notts County in 5th, who have played the same number of games as the hosts. There is little to split these two clubs and the spice of their Wembley meeting in 2023 makes this play-off semi-final clash even tastier.
Paul Cook has overseen a change in identity for Chesterfield since taking the helm in February 2022. The Spireites play a patient possession-based game, overloading the middle third and building their attacks from the back, but they don’t just sit back and soak up pressure. They will draw their opponents out before picking the right moment to get into central positions or play late vertical passes. It’s an approach that has seen Chesterfield win 11, draw 8 and lose just 4 at home this season, conceding an average of just 1.04 goals per game.
Martin Paterson has had a similar influence on Notts County since taking over in June 2025. The Magpies are just as ball dominant as their opponents, but they play with a greater tempo and verticality. Notts County press with great intensity, aiming to create turnovers and exploit the space behind opposing defenders as quickly as possible.
Cagey and tense play-off contest could be an entertaining watch
The contrasting tactical approaches will make for an interesting matchup on Sunday, as Chesterfield will have to withstand Notts County’s physicality and directness. The home side has the momentum, better recent form and psychological edge, having won both of the clubs’ last 2 meetings, so they may just be able to edge what will be a cagey and nerve-wracking affair.
Chesterfield are favourites at 28/25, whilst Notts County are 58/25 and the draw is 12/5. The hosts are the better value, given their home form, recent results and better head-to-head record against the Magpies. However, the ‘Over 2.5 goals’ market at 89/100 looks like a fantastic shout, given the attacking output of these two sides in their respective home and away fixtures, and the fact that this fixture has averaged 3.0 and 2.7 goals per game for Chesterfield and Notts County’s respective home and away records.
Lee Bonis is the ‘main man’ for the hosts up front, with 12 goals in 45 League Two appearances. He has scored 4 of his team’s last 8 goals, but Alassana Jatta is the best in the division, with 15 goals in 31 appearances. Lucas Ness has scored 2 goals in the club’s last 5 outings and could be a good anytime scorer choice for the visitors on Sunday.
