League Two Preview: Chesterfield vs Grimsby Town - Analysis and Insights

With England’s fourth division going full speed ahead while other top divisions break for international fixtures, there is no shortage of interest in the fixtures scheduled for the upcoming weekend.

Chesterfield vs Grimsby Town sees two teams side by side in the table face off in a game which could see the winning team start to push for a playoff spot. With contrasting results in the league so far, it looks set to be an interesting game.

💭 Good memories of our last trip to Chesterfield!

🎥 Watch the highlights of our 1-4 win against the Spireites in our most recent meeting back in April 2022.#GTFC

— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) September 4, 2024

With Chesterfield the home side, the game will be hosted at the SMH Group stadium at 3pm on Saturday.

To prepare you for the match, we take an in depth look at both sides, investigating potential strategies, lineups, key players and absences that could decide the result.

Chesterfield vs Grimsby Recent Form

In a mixed start to the season, Chesterfield’s win/loss/draw record is perfectly balanced, with two of each. They started their season with a 1-1 draw to Swindon Town, and lost their next fixtures to Championship side Derby County in the Carabao Cup by two goals to one.

However, a turnaround in form saw them dominate Crewe Alexandra 5-0 away from home, before winning via a penalty shootout against Manchester City’s U21’s in the EFL Trophy. They then disappointingly drew to a 10 man Salford City, and compounded that result with a 1-0 loss to Gillingham in which both sides finished the game with a red card each.

Well Done the Chesterfield fans who went to the Cup Group game against Lincoln... Yes we won ... 🩵⚽ https://t.co/92gHc3nWhv pic.twitter.com/luRMfnCJgH

— The Football League Lads (@blinkudie) September 4, 2024

Grimsby have matched the inconsistency shown by Chesterfield with their own patchy record, which started out with a 1-0 loss to Fleetwood Town. However, they then beat Bradford City in the Carabao Cup 9-8 in a penalty shootout, and followed that with a 3-2 win over Cheltenham.

Heavy losses followed, as they lost to Notts County 4-1 in the league, and 5-1 against Sheffield in the Carabao cup to extinguish early optimism. They did return to winning ways in their league game against Bradford, keeping their 100% record against them this season.

With 3 wins and 3 losses, Grimsby have exhibited impeccable inconsistency so far. With both teams matching each other so closely so far this season, both will be desperate to capitalize on faltering opposition.

Chesterfield vs Grimsby Goal Scorers

Chesterfield have shown significant reliance on their midfield for goals in the early part of the season. Wide midfielder James Berry tops the scoring charts with 3, tied with Albanian winger Armando Dobra. Center back Tom Naylor and midfielder Darren Oldaker round out the scoring with one each.

Magic finish from Armando Dobra ✨@ChesterfieldFC are back in front in the opening minutes of extra-time! pic.twitter.com/SORaEco3Bq

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 13, 2023

Only one Grimsby Town player has scored multiple goals this season, this being midfielder Jordan Davies with two. The rest of the squad, such as Charles Vernam, Danny Rose, Jason Svanborsson and Harvey Rodgers are all on one goal apiece.

With no chief goal scorer as of yet, Grimsby will be hoping that one of their forward players steps up and shows what he is all about, as with Chesterfield the slightly more goal-friendly team, they will need to fight goal scoring fire with some of their own.

Chesterfield vs Grimsby Recent Meetings

02/04/2022: Chesterfield 1-4 Grimsby. 11/12/2021: Grimsby 0-1 Chesterfield. 02/12/2018: Chesterfield 0-2 Grimsby. 07/04/2018: Grimsby 1-0 Chesterfield. 05/08/2017: Chesterfield 1-3 Grimsby.

Chesterfield vs Grimsby Team News

Grimsby have been dealt a big blow in the lead up to this match as top scorer Jordan Davies went off injured after just 15 minutes during their humbling defeat to Notts County. However, apart from that Grimsby has a clean bill of health.

Chesterfield have no injury absences to speak of, but will be missing Chey Dunkley after he was sent off with two yellows in Chesterfield’s defeat to Gillingham last time out.

Chesterfield vs Grimsby Predicted Lineups

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1): Boot (GK), Daley-Campbell, Naylor, Grimes, Gordon, Banks, Oldaker, Markanday, Dobra, Berry, Grigg.

Grimsby (4-1-4-1): Wright (GK), Warren, Rodgers, McJannett, Hume, McEachran, Svanborsson, Green, Khouri, Vernam, Rose.

Chesterfield vs Grimsby Player to Watch

The man so good a song was modified to chant his name … “Will Grigg on fire, your defense is terrified”. Will Grigg is probably the best known footballer in the world simply because of that song, but his footballing ability isn’t half bad either (remember that FA Cup winner against Manchester City anyone?).

Will Grigg was once voted the 25th best player in Europe…

What on earth? 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/a3kDLcSAVA

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) September 2, 2024

Playing with Chesterfield in the National League last season, Grigg reminded everyone of his potency in front of goal: 25 goals in 38 games later and he had fired them back into the EFL.

He may be past his prime, but at 33, he still has a few more years in him, and with the goals he scored last season, he will be more motivated than ever to keep that form up.