Can Scunthorpe Cause An Upset Away At Chesterfield?

There`s 10 places, but only six points, between play-off hopefuls Chesterfield and last season`s League Two champions Scunthorpe United who sit in 17th position. Indeed, Mark Robins` Irons have two games in hand over Paul Cook`s men and will be looking to test their play-off metal against the Spireites in tomorrow`s FA Cup third round replay at the Proact Stadium.

Scunny failed to hold onto a two goal lead at home in the first leg with a Eoin Doyle penalty and a close range Jay O`Shea effort coming in the last 20 minutes to level the tie. Alex Davey and Lyle Taylor had put the Yorkshire club ahead in the first half.

The reward for winning tomorrow`s encounter is a fourth round fixture against second tier high-flyers Derby County and it is the home team who are the strong favourites for the win with Skybet pricing Chesterfield up at a slim 5/6.

Whilst part of this reasoning has to be the side`s superior league position, another is the recent performances of 23-goal striker Doyle. The 26-year-old Irish centre forward has bounced back after going through something of a sticky spell, failing to score in two, by hitting the back of the net in successive games.

He followed on from his Scunthorpe success by converting another penalty at home to Port Vale in the club`s 3-0 triumph last time out. Armand Guanduillet opened the scoring before Charlie Raglan`s header made it three in the 70th minute.

As a result of this, Doyle has been touted as a potential transfer target for reigning Scottish champions Celtic and is 23/20 (Betbright, betfair, ladbrokes) to score at any time tomorrow night.

Scunthorpe can, however, take some confidence from the fact that the Irishman`s last two goals have come from the penalty spot. This suggests that the Iron may be able to take the game by the scruff of the neck if they can keep Chesterfield`s main man quiet.

Taking the game by the scruff isn`t something that is beyond United either, the team unbeaten in nine games away from home in all competitions. This success continued at the weekend with a emphatic 4-1 win against Walsall.

James Chambers` own-goal put Robins` side one to the good before Tom Hopper made it two in the first 45. Walsall were right back in it when Michael Cain reduced the deficit six minutes after the restart but it came to nothing with top scorer Paddy Madden and Neal Bishop adding two goals in the space of two minutes ten minutes later.

Such a rich vein of form will give all associated with the club confidence with bet365`s 4/1 on an away win looking very tasty indeed. The same bookmaker have priced up a draw after 90 minutes at 3/1.

The away side have also scored in every match since 1st November but have also only kept one clean sheet in that same timeframe. This was in the FA Cup against Conference side Forest Green Rovers. As a result it is 3/4 (888sport, Betvictor, unibet) should you want to back both teams to hit the back of the net at least once.

In team news, the favourites will be without their on-loan striker Mani Dieseruvwe. The Sheffield Wednesday youngster is not eligible to play in cup games under the terms of his loan agreement. In more positive news for the home club, talismanic defender Ian Evatt should be fit following a long-term calf injury.

Scunthorpe will be without Walsall scorer Hopper, Jacob Murphy and Liam O`Neil who are also bound by the contractual constrains placed on them by their parent clubs.

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12/01/2015     © Frixo 2026