Preview: Chesterfield vs. Halifax Town - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are enjoying an unbeaten run of late as they seek to consolidate their place in the playoff, whereas Halifax will be aiming to push for a top-half finish.

Match preview

Chesterfield made it four wins from their last five National League matches last Saturday with a 1-0 away success at third-placed Woking, with Oliver Banks netting the decisive strike from the penalty spot.

The Spireites return to action on home soil after back-to-back away victories, having dispatched Wealdstone by a convincing 4-0 scoreline just over a week ago in Middlesex.

Paul Cook's side sit fourth in the fifth-tier standings, a mammoth 26 points behind league leaders Wrexham, but more importantly 13 points inside the playoff positions with eight games left to play.

Chesterfield have managed 11 wins out of their 18 home matches so far this campaign - only Wrexham, Notts County and Eastleigh have earned more to date as the season reaches its business end.

Saturday's visitors Halifax are also enjoying a five-game unbeaten spell, although - unlike their hosts - they are still in two competitions as the season approaches April.

The Shaymen made it through to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy thanks to a 2-0 win at Aldershot Town a fortnight ago, before a home encounter with Yeovil Town ended in a 1-1 draw last weekend.

Chris Millington's men are 16th in the National League table, possessing a sizeable nine-point advantage over 21st-placed Gateshead - albeit the Tynesiders have played two games fewer.

Halifax have struggled to pose a significant attacking threat on the road so far this season, with Town netting just 12 goals in 19 fifth-tier away matches - two fewer than any other side in the division.

Chesterfield National League form:

L

W

W

D

W

W

Halifax Town National League form:

D

L

W

D

D

D

Team News

Chesterfield will be without the services of Danny Rowe for the remainder of the season after the striker made the loan switch to fellow National League outfit York City this week.

Armando Dobra returned to the matchday squad for the first time since February during the win at Woking last Saturday, and the Albanian youth international will be pushing for a start in this one.

Halifax Town have welcomed Max Wright in on loan from League Two club Harrogate Town, with the 24-year-old pushing for a place in the Shaymen midfield on Saturday.

Matthew Warburton will be looking to score in successive games for the Shaymen after netting the opener against Yeovil last time out on home soil.

Chesterfield possible starting lineup:

Fitzsimons; Palmer, Grimes, King, Maguire; Jones, Banks, Colclough, Dallas; Quigley, Mandeville

Halifax Town possible starting lineup:

Johnson; A Senior, J Senior, Stott, Golden; Gilmour, Hunter, Dieseruvwe, Debrah; Warburton, Alli

We say: Chesterfield 2-0 Halifax Town

Chesterfield will have one eye on the playoffs with their top-seven berth looking relatively secure, but we do not envisage the hosts taking their foot off the gas just yet.

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