Chesterfield could move into the playoff spots in League One if they can beat Wigan Athletic at the Proact Stadium on Saturday.
However, the Latics are looking for a third win in four games as they try to get their bid for promotion back to the Championship in full swing.
Chesterfield
© Getty Images
Despite losing manager Paul Cook after losing their playoff semi-final to Preston North End last season, the Spireites look to be mounting another push for a top-six place.
Dean Saunders took charge of Chesterfield over the summer and saw his side get off to a winning start against Barnsley.
However, a 3-1 League Cup defeat away to Carlisle United followed before the Derbyshire club lost to local rivals Sheffield United.
Chesterfield did manage to return to winning ways against Shrewsbury Town and, despite drawing 0-0 at home to Rochdale, the Spireites beat Millwall 2-0 last weekend to leave them three points behind leaders Walsall.
Saunders has signed Liam O'Neil from West Bromwich Albion, but managed to keep captain Sam Morsy at the club, despite reported interest from Brighton & Hove Albion before the transfer deadline.
The club have also tied Jay O'Shea and Ollie Banks to new contracts.
Recent form: DWLWDW
Recent form (all competitions): WLLWDW
Wigan Athletic
© Getty Images
Wigan's relegation from the Championship last season capped off a difficult campaign for the 2013 FA Cup winners.
David Sharpe replaced his grandfather Dave Whelan as chairman last spring and his first major decision was to replace manager Malky Mackay with Gary Caldwell.
The Lancashire club's current campaign got off to a bad start with defeat away to Coventry City before losing at home to Bury in the League Cup.
Wigan's luck looked to be turning with a draw at home to Doncaster Rovers and victory over Scunthorpe United, with successive clean sheets.
A defeat away to high-flying Gillingham left Caldwell's side in mid-table, but they redeemed themselves with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Crewe Alexandra.
However, Wigan are still searching for their first points on the road this term, having lost three of their final four fixtures last season.
The Latics have since dipped into the transfer market to sign Jack Hendry and ex-Bolton Wanderers defender Andy Kellett, while Haris Vuckic joins on loan from Newcastle United.
Recent form: LLDWLW
Recent form (all competitions): LLDWLW
Team News
© Getty Images
Gary Caldwell could look to give Kellett and Hendry their debuts in defence against Chesterfield.
The Wigan boss also faces a decision about whether to hand Vuckic a first start in attack, with either Craig Davies or Will Grigg likely to make way.
Meanwhile, Chesterfield could opt to name the same side that beat Millwall last weekend.
That could mean that Sylvain Ebanks-Blake continues to lead the forward line, but Armand Gnanduillet is a possible alternative should Saunders look to freshen up his attack.
Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Lee, O'Neil, Hird, Evatt, Jones, Ariyibi, Morsy, Martinez, O'Shea, Gardner, Ebanks-Blake
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
O'Donnell, James, Perkins, Hendry, Power, Grigg, Vuckic, Jacobs, Kellett, Kenny, Pearce
Head To Head
Chesterfield have struggled in recent encounters with the Latics, having failed to beat Wigan in their last 10 meetings.
The North West outfit have won six in that time, including the last time the pair met when goals from Gary Teale, Tony Dinning and Andy Liddell gave them a 3-1 win at the JJB Stadium.
Wigan's last defeat against the Spireites came in a Coca Cola Cup tie back in August 1997, which featured a young Roberto Martinez in midfield for the visitors, who lost 1-0 at Saltergate.
We say: Chesterfield 1-0 Wigan
Chesterfield are slight favourites with the bookmakers to beat the Latics and their home form, combined with Wigan's record on the road, suggests that the Spireites could indeed edge this encounter.
No Data Analysis info
