Preview: Chesterfield vs. Morecambe - prediction, team news, lineups

Chesterfield play host to Morecambe on Saturday afternoon knowing that three points could be required to keep them in the hunt for the playoffs.

At a time when the home side sit in 10th position in the League Two table, Morecambe are bottom and have already been relegated.

Match preview

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Paul Cook will have mixed feelings about Chesterfield's first campaign back in the EFL, there having been the potential to put together a stronger bid for promotion.

Nevertheless, there is still the possibility they can end the season in the top seven, trailing by three points but boasting a superior goal difference and having the most favourable concluding double-header on paper.

Chesterfield have also lost just one of their most recent 11 fixtures, albeit prevailing only once in the last five encounters.

On a positive note, they came from 3-1 behind to earn a share of the spoils versus Bradford City last time out, a draw that could ultimately prove pivotal come the end of the season.

The Spireites head into this encounter having lost just three of their 22 home fixtures, albeit posting 10 draws along the way.

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Meanwhile, Morecambe head into this fixture already with one eye on next season having had their relegation to the National League recently confirmed.

Four consecutive defeats have led to a nine-point deficit to 22nd place with two matches remaining, Morecambe also five points behind Carlisle United above them.

Derek Adams has insisted that he will remain in charge for 2025-26, despite losing 32 of his 52 matches in charge since his return in June.

Whether the club's hierarchy retain the same opinion could be dependent on the next two games, the Shrimps in need of some momentum to enter next season as promotion favourites.

Team News

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Cook must decide between Kyle McFadzean and Jamie Grimes for one of his two central-defensive positions.

Lewis Gordon may also be preferred to Harvey Araujo at left-back, but they may prove to be the only selection dilemmas for Cook.

Will Grigg should retain his place down the centre of the attack having netted twice in his last four games.

The Morecambe XI is difficult to predict with Adams potentially considering rotating some of his team with next season in mind.

Seventeen-year-old Adam Fairclough may be handed more senior minutes, while David Tutonda will return to the squad after serving a one-match ban.

Chesterfield possible starting lineup: Boot; Mandeville, Palmer, McFadzean, Gordon; Fleck, Naylor; Olakigbe, Metcalfe, Colclough; Grigg

Morecambe possible starting lineup: Burgoyne; Taylor, Songo'o, Stott, Tutonda; White; Tollitt, Jones, Fairclough; Dallas, Angol

We say: Chesterfield 2-0 Morecambe

Although Morecambe will be playing for pride in this game, it may matter little against a determined Chesterfield side. We are backing the home team to score a goal in each half to seal a relatively comfortable victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.