Preview: Solihull Moors vs. Chesterfield - prediction, team news, lineups

While the home side are playing their first game of the playoffs, Chesterfield were required to defeat Halifax Town to reach this stage.

Match preview

With Stockport County and Wrexham performing so well above them, Solihull went into their final games of the season aware that third position in the standings was their most realistic target.

The carrot of one less fixture and a home playoff semi-final proved enough to motivate the Moors to put together a five-match winning streak, scoring 15 goals in the process.

In fact, Neil Ardley's team have only suffered one defeat in their last 13 outings, that setback coming at champions Stockport courtesy of a last-minute goal.

At a time when Wrexham have now lost all momentum, there is an argument that Solihull are now favourites to earn promotion to the EFL for the first time in their history.

The West Midlands outfit also have fond memories of their last fixture with Chesterfield, prevailing in a five-goal thriller on away territory back on February 19.

At a time when Solihull have been having a two-week break from action, Chesterfield's seventh-placed finish led to a quarter-final tie with Halifax taking place earlier this week.

Having ended the regular campaign with just two wins from 10 matches, Paul Cook's team were underdogs against their Yorkshire opponents who had only lost twice over the same period.

However, goals from Danny Rowe and Jeff King earned Chesterfield an unlikely win, representing just the sixth success in 19 games since Cook took charge in February.

Nevertheless, that kind of return takes some pressure off the Spireites, who may prefer having to do things the hard way after previously failing to cope with the weight of expectancy to return to the EFL.

Solihull Moors National League form:

Chesterfield National League form:

Team News

Barring any injury issues, Solihull could line up with the same 11 players which started the 3-0 win at Boreham Wood on the final day of the season.

However, Ardley will be unable to call upon midfielder Jamey Osborne, who continues to serve a suspension.

Chesterfield will also be without a key player after Rowe was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs earlier this week.

Tom Denton appears most likely to replace Rowe, but Nathan Tyson, Akwasi Asante and Joe Quigley are also regarded as viable options.

Laurence Maguire, Calvin Miller and Tom Whelan will all hope to retain their places in the team after being recalled for the Halifax fixture.

Solihull Moors possible starting lineup:

McDonnell; Clarke, Howe, Gudger, Boyes; Storer, Maycock; Sbarra, Barnett, Dallas; Hudlin

Chesterfield possible starting lineup:

Loach; Williams, Grimes, Maguire; King, Kellarman, Mandeville, Whelan, Miller; Khan, Denton

We say: Solihull Moors 2-1 Chesterfield

Having had a two-week break from action, there is an argument that Solihull could be slow out of the blocks on Sunday. However, Ardley will be satisfied that his players are well rested, and they may have more in the tank to edge this contest in the closing stages.

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