Chesterfield v Walsall: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Walsall finished fourth in League Two, making them the highest-ranked side in the play-offs, but the Saddlers’ form tailed off dramatically at the end of the season and they may be there for the taking at Chesterfield.

Walsall missed out on automatic promotion by only a point but they had been odds-on for the title at the beginning of March and squandered the opportunity following a run of only one win in 14 games.

Chesterfield, meanwhile, come into this semi-final showdown in very different circumstances having surged last to snatch seventh away from Salford, Grimsby and Colchester.

The Spireites lost only one of their final 13 league matches and sealed their place with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Accrington on the last day of the campaign.

Walsall also edged to a 1-0 win in their last league fixture, but their opponents Crewe were in a world of pain having won only one of their last 12 fourth-tier fixtures.

Mat Sadler’s side took four points from their two league meetings with Chesterfield, although there is a feeling that the roles may be reversed in this play-off showdown at the SMH Group Stadium.

Chesterfield v Walsall betting tips and predictions

Chesterfield to win - 21/20

Walsall were odds-on for the title in early March but failed to win in 13 games before stopping the rot with a 1-0 victory at a woefully out-of-form Crewe on the final day of the campaign.

Mat Sadler’s side struggled ever since talented teenager Nathan Lowe was recalled by parent club Stoke in January and, having netted 15 goals in his opening 23 games, he proved irreplaceable.

Walsall failed to score in three of their final five league games and they look there for the taking at Chesterfield, who are the form team heading into the play-offs.

The Spireites lost only one of their last 13 games, winning on eight occasions, and that bodes well for this opening clash at their beloved base.

Chesterfield lost only three of their 23 home league games this term and that included a 5-2 drubbing of champions Doncaster as well as score draws with the other promoted pair of Bradford and Port Vale.

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, which may give them the edge.

This pair shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at the SMH Group Stadium earlier in the campaign 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, failing to score on five occasions in that spell.

Chesterfield’s squad boasts a lot of EFL quality and experience and they arrive in much better form than their visitors which may ultimately prove the difference.

Will Grigg anytime goalscorer - 7/5

With talented forward Armando Dobra sidelined through injury, Chesterfield are relying on Will Grigg to provide their goalscoring prowess and the former Championship forward is coming up with the goods.

Grigg is a seriously experienced operator for this level and, although 33 years of age, is still probably capable of mixing it at a higher level.

The former Sunderland man scored 24 goals in 38 games in Chesterfield’s National League-winning campaign last season and he is starting to rediscover that form.

Grigg has 14 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions this season but he has struggled with injuries and four of that tally have come within his last six appearances.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.

Chesterfield v Walsall odds

Chesterfield - 21/20
Draw - 9/4
Walsall - 14/5

View the full market and more odds for Chesterfield v Walsall on site.

Read Chesterfield v Walsall how to watch, live stream, TV channel, kick-off time, head-to-head stats and more on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.