The League Leaders take on Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium. Both teams are still unbeaten, the Spireites have won 6 and drawn 1, Oxford United have won 4 and drawn 3.
On the road they have been on fire, they started the season with a 4-1 win at Portsmouth, they won at Torquay 3-1 and won at Burton 2-1, last they drew 2-2 at struggling Cheltenham. They won their first home game of the season beating Bury 2-1, in their next 2 home games they drew against Wycombe 2-2 and then Rochdale 1-1.
Vital Quotes:
Cook told the official club website: ‘For me Oxford are a good benchmark of where you want to be as a club. I couldn’t compliment Oxford enough. Certainly now, if somebody said to me we could finish above Oxford, I’d bite your hand off.
‘It is first versus second on paper but I think as a League 2 fixture Chesterfield versus Oxford would always be a big game no matter were the two teams are.’
Oxford United Team News:
Oxford will be without key duo James Constable and Jake Wright. Forward Sean Rigg has returned to training after a hamstring injury and is in contention for the game.
Player to watch: Alfie Potter
A Tricky forward with bags of pace, first came to fame when he scored for Conference South side Havant and Waterlooville while on-loan from Peterborough, when they took a shock lead at Anfield in the 4th Round of the FA Cup eventually losing 5-2. He joined Oxford in 2009 on a season long loan and scored a last minute goal at Wembley against York City in the play-off final, helping his side to 3-1 victory and returning to the football league after 4 year exile.
He then signed for the club following season, last season he finished with a career best hall of 11 goals (10 in the League). He also came off the bench to score an 88th minute winner against their local rivals Swindon a 1st Round Football League Trophy match.
He will definitely be up for this match because he seems to thrive on the big occasions.
Chesterfield Team News:
Nathan Smith (ankle) and Matty Brown (hamstring) are still unavailable. New signing Ollie Banks will be hoping to make the squad.
Player to watch: Ritchie Humphreys
Humphreys has played a big part in the Spireites success so far this season, having played in midfield were he was often used as a wall so the players could use him to play quick one-two’s off, he is now playing at left back due to Smith being out injured and he has been linking up well with Roberts on the left-wing, putting him some dangerous balls into the box.
Match Facts & Stats
Last season the Spireites came a way with a victory at the Kassam Stadium thanks to an early goal from Richards. In their last 10 visits to Oxford the Spireites have won 3, drawn 4, and lost 3.
Ref Watch:
Trevor Kettle from Rutland is in charge of this one, I just hope he isn’t a whistling kettle. The Spireites have won their last 4 games with him in charge, thir last defeat was a 1-0 defeat at Macclesfield in April 2008. Last season he gave out 135 yellows, 9 reds in 35 games.
Match Prediction:
This should be hard fought game with both teams going for victory, I am going for a 2-2 draw. I would take that now because I would be happy for the Spireites to stay unbeaten.
Next Fixtures:
The one that the fans have been waiting for the local derby against Mansfield at the Proact Stadium, this is the one Spireites must win.
