Oldham Athletic

vs

Chesterfield

Preview

Oldham Athletic

• Micky Mellon has instilled a pragmatic, direct style on Oldham Athletic.
• Oldham’s home record in League Two (W3, D5, L3, 11) is good, but their recent form has been inconsistent.
• They are a real threat from set-pieces and second balls.

Chesterfield

• Paul Cook’s patient and possession-based approach at Chesterfield has finally clicked and the Spireites have won three consecutive League Two games to climb to 7th in the table.
• The club’s recent tactical tweaks have allowed them to control games better, with the 4-2-3-1 system designed to allow a creative player to unlock teams.

Head-to-Head

• Oldham Athletic will be a real test for Chesterfield on Thursday evening, with their home form making them narrow favourites with the bookmakers (2.38) against Chesterfield’s 2.65 and the draw at 3.3.
• The hosts are 15th in League Two with 28 points from 22 games.
• The last meeting between these sides in the National League 2023/2024 ended in a 2-2 draw in Oldham.

Key Players

• Michael Mellon has been Oldham’s main man with seven goals in 16 League Two appearances, while Lee Bonis has been deadly for Chesterfield with six goals in 22.
• Mellon has scored four of Oldham's last five goals, while Bonis has five of Chesterfield's last seven.

Betting Insights

• I think the value lies in backing both teams to score on Thursday.
• Chesterfield’s away form in their last three is a win, a draw and a loss.
• Oldham have had some issues at home of late.

Prediction

• Chesterfield have the momentum and the extra attacking quality to nick it, although Oldham’s solid home defence and head-to-head history will make this close.
• I expect another close game on Thursday.