Chesterfield need to fight to get back into this game with Walsall currently holding all of the cards. If the Spireites are to get a shot at League One next season, they certainly have a task on their hands.
Below, you can find Ben's bets for Walsall vs. Chesterfield in the League Two play-offs. The odds were correct at the time of writing.
At the time of writing this, the lineups were not available to us, so I have tried to make some assumptions about the lineup, whilst only tipping players I think will start. It is worth stating here that I would not advise placing any bets until the lineups are out for both teams.
Play-off games are so difficult to call, so there is still a higher level of risk with each selection. However, I've gone through the trends from the season and feel rather confident with our choices here.
So, without further ado, let's dive into my reasoning.
Sunday's game certainly was not a classic, but rather Walsall just proving that they are probably better than Chesterfield, and I can only see that being the case again in front of a home crowd.
Getting near Evens on this pick is rather generous, I feel, considering the Saddlers have scored the first goal in their home games 51% of the time this season which is great considering it is a three-way percentage.
Chesterfield also haven't kept a clean sheet against the Saddlers in the past three games, so I think we'll see this be the case again.
We're targeting the goal market here, and it certainly may seem a little bit strange to tip this here, considering we're also picking the hosts to score first. However, I think we could see a bit of a dismantling on Friday night.
In 70% of their home games this season, the hosts have scored twice or more, and even conceded two or more goals in the second half in nearly 60% of their games. It certainly adds to my belief that the second half will be lively.
Finally, I'm going to go with another Walsall win here. I predicted a draw in the first leg, thinking that the teams would be quite difficult to separate, but the visitors showed their class and now have a two-goal lead to take into this game.
However, I cannot see the Saddlers sitting on the game. Instead, I think they will look to boost fan confidence and try get to Wembley with a nice scoreline across the two legs.
The odds are quite nice, and considering Walsall have won four of the last five games between these two at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, I can only see that continuing here.
Unfortunately, I have a feeling that this game may already have been wrapped up, and in honesty, it does make sense why. After all, Walsall were seemingly up by January and a spectacular fall-off in the second half of the season is the reason why this tie exists.
A 2-0 lead going back to your home ground is always nice, and I think the Saddlers will only strengthen their position in the second half, rather than allowing Chesterfield a way back into the game.
Despite dominating the ball in the first leg, the Spireites fell two behind in the first half, and didn't manage to get a hand back on the game despite their domination of the ball something which must change if they are to claw themselves back into the game.
Predicted Walsall XI to face Chesterfield (3-4-1-2): Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Gordon, Chang, Stirk, Asiimwe; Hall; Amantchi, Jellis
Predicted Chesterfield XI to face Walsall (4-3-3): Boot; Mandeville, Palmer, McFadzean, Gordon; Naylor, Fleck, Metcalfe; Olakigbe, Colclough, Grigg
Ben is an accredited football journalist who follows anything from League One to Serie A, also working for the likes of SempreMilan and Total Italian Football. As an avid punter, he has become the master tester at BettingLounge, refusing to take bookies by their words when it comes to withdrawal times and much more.