Preview: Chesterfield vs. King's Lynn Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Promotion-chasing Chesterfield will play host to King's Lynn Town on New Year's Day as the league leaders aim to extend their current unbeaten run to 14 games in all competitions.

At the other end of the table, King's Lynn are battling for survival as they enter the contest five points adrift of safety.

Match preview

Chesterfield sit top of the pile in the National League courtesy of a better goal difference than promotion rivals Halifax Town.

In fact, the Shaymen were Chesterfield's latest opposition as James Rowe's side welcomed their opponents to the Technique Stadium in midweek for a pivotal contest at the top of the English fifth tier.

For the majority of the encounter, it seemed as though the points would go home with Halifax after Matthew Warburton gave the visitors the lead in the 18th minute, but Jack Clarke equalised five minutes from time to ensure that the contest ended honours even.

Clarke's late strike extended the Spireites current unbeaten run to 10 league games, and they will now turn their attention to a home fixture against a struggling King's Lynn Town side.

With Chesterfield still yet to taste defeat at home this term, they will be supremely confident that they can pick up three more points to start the new year with a flourish.

Although King's Lynn are struggling in the relegation zone, they have been boosted by the arrival of Tommy Widdrington as manager.

The new Linnets boss has started his reign with two wins from his first three games in all competitions, which included a 2-1 victory over Nantwich Town in their most recent fixture.

In that encounter, a Joshua Barrett brace was enough to see King's Lynn advance to the next round of the FA Trophy, but Widdrington's side have been unable to build upon that success due to the fact that they have not played since that contest on December 18.

Widdrington would have preferred to have started the new year with a slightly easier test than an away trip to the league leaders, and optimism may be at a premium in the away dressing room given the fact that the Linnets have lost their last five away games.

What will be a concern for the new manager is that in those previous five away encounters, King's Lynn scored just two goals, while they conceded on 13 occasions.

Team News

Chesterfield are still without Jeff King, who is unavailable due to a medial knee ligament injury.

Akwasi Asante and Gavin Gunning both returned from injury to start the midweek fixture against Halifax.

The hosts will be looking to Kabongo Tshimanga to supply the goals, with the current National League top scorer looking to add to his 18-goal tally.

As for the visitors, Oliver Scott is expected to be included in the King's Lynn squad after signing on non-contract terms.

Meanwhile, Widdrington is expected to pick a front two of Malachi Linton and Gold Omotayo.

Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Loach; Williams, Gunning, Kerr; Miller, Kellermann, Weston, Oyeleke, Whittle; Asante, Tshimanga

King's Lynn Town possible starting lineup:
P. Jones; A. Jones, Bird, Bowry; Sundire, Coleman, Clunan, McGavin, Barrett; Linton, Omotayo

We say: Chesterfield 3-1 King's Lynn Town

Although King's Lynn have shown signs of improvement, we think that they will be unable to trouble the almost invincible force that is Chesterfield, and we believe the hosts will ease to a comfortable victory.

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