Looking to gain ground in the race for League Two promotion, out-of-form Salford City are set to host Chesterfield at Moor Lane on Tuesday.
The Ammies will be hoping to get back on track after a disastrous start to 2025, while the Spireites will try to build on their win on Saturday following their own descent down the table.
Match preview
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Jack Robinson's Salford were second in the table and dreaming of automatic promotion to the third tier after they beat MK Dons in early January, but with just one win in the 11 league games since, they have fallen behind their rivals.
Last time out, the Ammies drew 1-1 with seventh-placed Crewe Alexandra, and despite dropping two points, they will be relieved to have avoided defeat in such a crucial match.
That stalemate brought Robinson's men to 50 points and 11th in League Two, where they are now six points behind the playoff spots with 11 fixtures left to play.
However, the hosts will be confident of putting important points on the board in midweek considering that they have lost just twice at Moor Lane since early November, regardless of their disappointing 2025.
As the business end of the season draws near, Salford remain contenders to make the jump to League One, and triumph on Tuesday could see them leapfrog both Bromley and Colchester United and may even take them to within three points of the playoffs depending on results elsewhere.
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Meanwhile, Paul Cook's Chesterfield were in the playoff spots when they took maximum points against AFC Wimbledon prior to the turn of the year, but after two separate four-game losing streaks and only three wins since, they have dropped into the bottom half.
That being said, the Spireites came from behind to win 2-1 against Newport County in their most recent match, with goals from Ollie Banks and Aribim Pepple seizing all three points.
That victory took Cook's side up to 15th in the table, where they are now five points behind their hosts and 11 short of the playoffs, which seem a distant dream at this point.
Adding to the feeling that promotion is out of reach for the visitors is the fact that they have failed to win any of their away matches this year, and it is notable that they have only avoided defeat twice on the road since October across all competitions.
An unlikely win on Tuesday could take Chesterfield above Cheltenham Town and Swindon Town, though they would still be eight points behind both eighth-placed Grimsby Town and Crewe in a best-case scenario.
Team News
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Salford will be missing striker Cole Stockton, who has not featured since picking up an injury against Port Vale on February 22, so expect Francis Okonkwo and Hakeeb Adelakun to form a strike partnership on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Ben Woodburn could be stationed behind them as he was against Crewe, and the former Liverpool man will be hoping to build on the assist he made for Kelly N'Mai last time out.
As for Chesterfield, they will welcome striker Paddy Madden back into the squad after he served a suspension against Newport.
However, Aribim Pepple is likely to continue up top, supported by Liam Mandeville and Armando Dobra out wide, while Ollie Banks operates from an attacking midfield position.
Salford City possible starting lineup:
Jones; Edwards, Negru, Garbutt; Longelo, Ashley, Fornah, N'Mai; Woodburn; Okronkwo, Adelakun
Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Boot; Sheckleford, Palmer, Grimes, Sparkes; Naylor, Oldaker; Mandeville, Banks, Dobra; Pepple
We say: Salford City 2-0 Chesterfield
Both sides have collapsed in the second part of the season, but Chesterfield have been shockingly poor on the road this term.
To make matters worse, the Spireites have failed to score in six of their last 11 away matches, so expect little resistance from the visitors as Salford pick up what could be an important three points.
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