Preview: Chesterfield vs Barrow - prediction, team news, lineups

After missing out on promotion last season, Chesterfield will be desperate to get off to a strong start when they welcome Barrow to the SMH Group Stadium for their League Two opener on Saturday.

The Spireites have been mixed in pre-season, while the Bluebirds have won more often than not.

Match preview

Paul Cook's Chesterfield made the playoffs after battling all campaign long, but they were beaten home and away by Walsall back in May, and now they have to pick themselves up again.

The Spireites finished seventh in the regular season, picking up 70 points across their 46 matches, just enough to scrape in ahead of eighth-placed Salford City yet still eight shy of automatic promotion.

Ahead of their return to League Two action, Cook's side played five pre-season fixtures, and fans would be forgiven for being concerned considering that they only managed to win once.

That being said, the fourth-tier team did earn a draw against Premier League club Nottingham Forest on July 12, and that result could give supporters a glimmer of faith.

Additionally, Chesterfield play at home on Saturday, and given that they have lost just one of their last eight competitive fixtures - winning four and drawing the remainder - some may even be cautiously optimistic.

Meanwhile, Andy Whing's Barrow failed to win any of their final four league fixtures in 2024-25 and ended their season far off the pace.

The Bluebirds ranked 16th in the table by matchday 46, and their tally of 59 points had them 11 behind their hosts in the playoffs.

With their sights set on a stronger promotion push this time around, Whing's men have performed admirably in pre-season, winning four and losing two of their warm-up matches.

However, both of the League Two side's defeats were against higher-tier opposition, and it would be fair to say that they were up against easier challenges this summer than Chesterfield.

Regardless, Barrow will be ready to get their campaign underway on the road this weekend, and fans will take heart from the fact that the Bluebirds are unbeaten in competitive away games since February.

Chesterfield pre-season form:

Barrow pre-season form:

Team News

Chesterfield will be without right-sided defender Tyrone Williams as he works his way back from an injury, so expect to see a back four consisting of Vontae Daley-Campbell, Chey Dunkley, Kyle McFadzean and Lewis Gordon on Saturday.

At the opposite end of the pitch, striker Paddy Madden is a doubt for this match, and Lee Bonis could start in his place, backed up by Dilan Markanday from an attacking midfield position.

As for Barrow, they have a relatively fit squad to choose from, so anticipate a strike partnership of Connor Mahoney and Innes Cameron up top, with Jack Earing, and Rakeem Harper anchoring the midfield.

In the backline, the versatile Sam Foley could start in a trio with Niall Canavan and Charlie Raglan, just as he did against Bolton in pre-season.

Chesterfield possible starting lineup:

Hemming; Daley-Campbell, Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon; Fleck, Stirk; Dobra, Markanday, Duffy; Bonis

Barrow possible starting lineup:

Winterbottom; Canavan, Foley, Raglan; Shipley, Harper, Earing, Jackson; Worrall; Cameron, Mahoney

We say: Chesterfield 2-2 Barrow

Chesterfield have been mixed in preparation for this clash, but they have faced tougher opposition, and their home record in competitive matches must not be discounted.

However, Barrow have also proven their resilience on the road in 2025, and they could frustrate their hosts on Saturday.

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