Newport County will look to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they welcome Chesterfield to Rodney Parade on Friday.
The hosts are sitting in 13th position in the League Two table and level on 15 points with 12th-placed Chesterfield.
Match preview
© Imago
After losing three consecutive league games, Newport appeared to turn the corner with back-to-back home victories against Crewe Alexandra and Salford City.
However, the Exiles have been unable to produce similar results in their last two away games, having lost consecutive matches to Bradford City and Harrogate Town.
Last Saturday, Harrogate's Toby Sims scored the only goal of the game to condemn Newport to a fourth straight away defeat.
The Exiles will now return to Rodney Parade where they have won four of their five home league games this season (D1).
Impressively, Newport have racked up 12 goals across those five home matches, which is a figure that can only be matched by AFC Wimbledon.
The hosts may fancy their chances of claiming another victory, having won each of their previous three home games against Chesterfield.
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Meanwhile, the visitors have won three, drawn six and lost two of their 11 matches in their first EFL campaign since 2017-18.
Last season's National League winners may be unbeaten in five matches, but they will be frustrated with the fact that four of those games have finished all square.
The Spireites appeared to be on course to take maximum points in last Saturday's home clash against Notts County after Paddy Madden and Will Grigg grabbed a goal apiece to establish a 2-1 lead.
However, David McGoldrick tucked home the rebound from his saved penalty to net a 94th-minute equaliser and leave Chesterfield to reflect upon a third consecutive 2-2 draw.
While they may be frustrated with the recent flurry of draws, the Spireites can be proud of the fact that they are the league's joint highest scorers with 19 goals to their name.
They will look to produce another strong attacking display in Friday's fixture as they go in search of their first away win over Newport since December 1969.
Team News
![Chey Dunkley of Chesterfield during the Chesterfield FC v Sheffield United FC pre-season friendly match at the SMH Group Stadium, Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom on 20 July 2024 [on August 7, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/chey-dunkley.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Chey Dunkley of Chesterfield during the Chesterfield FC v Sheffield United FC pre-season friendly match at the SMH Group Stadium, Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom on 20 July 2024 [on August 7, 2024]")
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After representing Antigua and Barbuda, goalkeeper Nick Townsend is set to return to the Newport starting lineup for the upcoming home fixture.
Defender Anthony Driscoll-Glennon is also expected to start after serving a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Having scored two goals in his last three appearances, forward Kyle Hudlin should retain his place up front for Friday's contest.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon defender Chey Dunkley and midfielder John Fleck due to neck and hamstring injuries respectively.
Goalkeeper Ryan Boot is also a doubt after he was left out of last Saturday's matchday squad due to a wrist injury.
Grigg could return to the starting lineup after the experienced striker came off the bench to find the net against Notts County.
Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; Evans, Jameson, Clarke, Driscoll-Glennon; Mawene, Morris; Evans, Wildig, Kamwa; Hudlin
Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Thompson; Mandeville, Naylor, Araujo, Gordon; Metcalfe, Oldaker; Markanday, Dobra, Berry-McNally; Grigg
We say: Newport County 2-1 Chesterfield
Chesterfield have taken four points from their last two away games, but we think that they will be left empty-handed when they face a Newport side that have won four of their five home league matches this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Sully
