Notts v Chesterfield... BIG match preview

A local derby is here. Yes it isn't Nottingham Forest, the one Notts would all like, or even Mansfield Town just yet, but Saturday sees Notts pit their wits with Chesterfield, just 40 minutes away.

Meadow Lane is the venue for what is sure to be a fascinating affair between two sides who should figure in the top places come the end of the season.

Meadow Lane... Hosts derby clash

For Notts to do that they must improve on their five draws, but remember they have only lost once, and that to an MK Dons side who quite simply looked a cut above anybody Steve Thompson's men are likely to face this season.

Chesterfield have started better than Notts, but there isn't much to choose between the sides on paper.

Despite a boost in matchday prices, a healthy crowd should still turn in for what is a derby and therefore should contain a lot of thrills and spills.

Team News

Notts - Midfielder Jay Smith again misses out with a groin injury while Myles

Ward... Big threat for Spireites missing

Weston remains two weeks from a first team comeback. New signing Michael Byron won't be fully fit for three weeks and Mike Edwards is still a long-term casualty. Spencer Weir-Daley will shake off a knock to his hip.

Chesterfield - Jamie Ward, Adam Smith and Nicky Travis continue to miss out for Lee Richardson's Spireites. Although no new injuries have surfaced, Richardson may be tempted into changes following last weeks poor performance.

Form guide

Notts - Five 1-1 draws, one defeat and one win so far in the league shows the Magpies are difficult to beat but have trouble scoring more than one goal a game to push for more maximum points. At home they are unbeaten, with a healthy record of one win and two draws, and this needs to be maintained against Chesterfield.

Chesterfield - The 1-0 defeat at home to Barnet last week was the Spireites first loss of the season. Aside from that they have three wins and two draws in the league and have looked especially good going forward. Away from home an impressive seven from nine points have been eamed.

The view

Roche... Excited about Notts pitch

Notts - Boss Steve Thompson spoke to the Official Site of his admiration for Chesterfield's deadly strike duo Steve Fletcher and Jack Lester: "Up front is there main threat of Fletcher and Lester who both know how to lead the line and score goals throughout their careers. It will be interesting to see how we equip ourselves, firstly to snuff them out, and then when we get the ball."

Chesterfield - Former Forest goalkeeper Barry Roche spoke to Spireites World: "The players we have, and with the big pitch on Saturday hopefully we can get the ball wide and aim for 'Fletch'. Big pitches seem to suit us and we can use our wide players and hopefully get a few goals."

Key men

Notts - It has to be Spencer Weir-Daley following his performance at Rotherham, and the fact he is the only Magpies striker to score so far. His pace and willingness to get a finishing effort on goal, no matter where he is or how many times he's tried before, will put the Chesterfield backline under serious pressure. Should he create himself, or have created for him, as many chances as he did at Millmoor he will surely score again, and probably with a little more fortune, hit at least a brace. Goals win games.

Chesterfield - Jack Lester is an immense threat at this level. It was widely rumoured that he may have interested Notts following his release from neighbours Nottingham Forest in the summer, but it was the Spireites who got their man, and what a fruitful addition he is already proving to be. A scorer six times in eight games, he is nothing short of prolific and a real handful with his touch, experience and drive too. Also, being a former Red he is sure to cause panic to Notts fans.

Big battle

Stephen Hunt v Steve Fletcher

In the absence of Mike Edwards youngster Hunt has had masses of extra responsibility thrown at him and in truth he started the season rather less impressively than his superb showings at the back end of last term. However he has showed signs of getting back to his best and will need to be there to deal with Fletcher, 13 years his senior. Fletcher is well known to Notts fans from his days at Bournemouth where he averaged about ten goals a season but did so much more damage with his bruising frame, superb heading ability and vital assists that make his goals ratio less important. Both six footers, this aerial battle is vital, and Hunt must, that's must, bely his inexperience.

Likely line-ups

Lee... To break goalscoring duck?

Notts: Likely to keep faith with the eleven that started well at Rotherham, with only Andy Parkinson for Lawrie Dudfield a possible swap. (4-3-3): Kevin Pilkington, Lee Canoville, Adam Tann, Stephen Hunt, Paul Mayo, Richard Butcher, Matt Somner, Neil MacKenzie, Jason Lee, Spencer Weir-Daley, Lawrie Dudfield.

Chesterfield (4-4-2): GK - Barry Roche. RB - Gregor Robertson. CB - Janos Kovacs. CB - Aaron Downes. LB - Phil Pickin. RM - Peter Leven. CM - Jamie Winter. CM - Derek Niven. LM - Jamie Lowry. ST - Jack Lester. ST - Steve Fletcher

Prediction

Notts' first half showing last term has persuaded me to predict a home win, despite the obvious capabilities of the opponents. 2-1 to Notts with Weir-Daley to score one and Jason Lee the other.