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

With a shot at the playoffs still a possibility for both sides, Halifax Town play host to Chesterfield on the final day of the National League season on Saturday lunchtime.

The hosts stayed within touching distance of the top seven following a 2-1 win at Maidenhead United last weekend, while Chesterfield boosted their own chances with victory over Dagenham & Redbridge by the same scoreline.

Match preview

© Reuters

It may be a classic case of too little too late for Halifax when it comes to their promotion bid, as a spate of losses in the spring has threatened to derail their chances of pushing for a spot in the top seven and a place in the playoff quarter-finals.

Pete Wild's side had lost three of their last four before travelling to an out-of-form Maidenhead in gameweek 41, but they managed to get back on track and keep their promotion bid alive with a 2-1 win over Alan Devonshire's side last time out, as Jake Hyde and Jeff King struck before Danilo Orsi bagged a consolation for the 10-man hosts.

As a result, it is not impossible for 10th-placed Halifax to usurp some of their rivals and secure a playoff berth, but their destiny is out of their own hands as Eastleigh and Bromley sit one point clear in eighth and ninth respectively, so Wild will need results to go his way while his side try to do their talking on the pitch.

Halifax suffered playoff heartbreak against Boreham Wood last year, but another less-than-positive home result this weekend would kill off any faint hopes of a second shot with the big boys, and Wild's side welcome Chesterfield to The Shay having lost four of their last six on familiar territory.

© Reuters

In contrast, Chesterfield's fate is in their own hands, as Saturday's visitors occupy the seventh and final spot in the playoff places before the final day of a season like none other.

James Rowe's side also experienced several blips in the month of April to rule them out of contention for a top-three finish, but they have since recovered with 10 points taken from the last 12 on offer, including a 2-1 success over Dagenham & Redbridge last time out.

Liam Gordon drew first blood for Dagenham just before the hour mark last Saturday, but a brace from Danny Rowe - including a penalty in the 87th minute - ensured that Chesterfield kept the wind in their sails and more importantly, a spot in the top seven.

Indeed, the visitors to The Shay are clinging on tight to that final playoff place, and they could still leapfrog Wrexham in sixth, but anything less than a win here would either open the door for Halifax or allow Eastleigh and Bromley the chance to snatch a last-minute spot in the next round.

Rowe's men travel to Halifax having won six of their last eight fifth-tier games on the road, but the hosts have come up trumps in the last three meetings between the two sides, including a 2-1 win at Chesterfield last month.

Team News

Halifax midfielder Danny Williams serves the third and final game of a three-match suspension after his sending off versus Boreham Wood, so Jack Senior will continue to feature on the left.

Fellow midfielder Jack Earing is unlikely to play again before the campaign concludes, and it remains to be seen if striker Jamie Allen will be passed fit after a shoulder issue.

Wild should opt to stick with the same winning formula from their win at Maidenhead, though, as Hyde goes in search of his 13th league goal of the season.

Chesterfield welcomed Curtis Weston and Gavin Gunning back to the fold last time out despite concerns over their fitness, and a full week between matches should allow both players ample time to recover before going again.

However, left-back Alex Whittle was nowhere to be seen against Dagenham, but Joel Taylor is fine and ready to deputise on that side.

Tom Whelan could earn a start in midfield if Weston's Achilles problem flares up again, but other than that it should be as you were for the visitors.

Halifax Town possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Maher, Byrne, Clarke; King, Woods, Green, Summerfield, Senior; Hyde, Stephenson

Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Montgomery; Maguire, Evans, Gunning; Carline, Clarke, Weston, Oyeleke, Taylor; Rowe, Mandeville

We say: Halifax Town 2-2 Chesterfield

With both sides enjoying the rare luxury of a full week off before the final day of the season, the two managers have had plenty of time to come up with a winning formula for their respective playoff pushes.

The hosts simply have to go for goals lest they risk missing out entirely, but Chesterfield are a force to be reckoned with on the road, so we expect an exciting affair between two sets of fresh legs to end all square as the teams learn their playoff fates.