England's 2024-25 League Two season is set to begin on Friday, when National League champions Chesterfield host Swindon Town at SMH Group Stadium.
The home side won the National League title with 98 points from 46 games last term, while the visitors finished 19th in League Two with 54 points, 12 clear of 24th and last-placed Forest Green Rovers.
Match preview
The hosts will naturally be delighted that they have managed to return to the football league for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Interestingly, while they were the National League's best offensive side having scored 106 goals, their record of 65 goals conceded meant they were only the division's 13th-best defensive side.
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook has been in charge since February 2022 and took over after previous manager James Rowe left the club that January by mutual consent following allegations of misconduct.
Cook previously coached the Spireites from October 2012 to May 2015, and in that spell he led the team to the League Two title and League One playoffs.
It should be noted that Cook's side had an excellent home record in the 2023-24 season and won 22 of their last 25 fixtures on familiar ground.
Chesterfield come into the clash having won three of their seven pre-season friendlies, including a 3-0 victory last time out against Scunthorpe United on August 2.
Opponents Swindon Town finished 19th last term, and while they did finish 12 points clear of the relegation zone, they have been drifting down the table in recent seasons.
In fact, since they were relegated from League One in the 2020-21 season, the visitors finished sixth in 2021-22 with 77 points, 10th in 2022-23 with 61 points and 19th with 54 points last campaign.
It will be of serious concern to fans that manager Mark Kennedy, who was appointed boss in May, has said that the squad is not yet ready for the upcoming season.
This is despite the club welcoming in 11 new players ahead of 2024-25, and it is rumoured that Kennedy still wants to sign a goalkeeper and a striker.
Swindon come into the clash having won five of their six pre-season friendly matches, including a 1-0 success against Wycombe Wanderers last time out on August 3.
It should also be said that the visitors have only won twice away from home in League Two in their last 22 attempts.
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Team News
Chesterfield have been boosted in defence by the arrival of centre-back Chey Dunkley, and he could play next to Jamie Grimes.
Elsewhere, Will Grigg could be joined in the forward line by winger Armando Dobra.
The visitors will look to start new signing Jeff King on Friday at wing-back, and he will be keen to impress against his former club.
Harry Smith will likely start in the forward line and could start alongside Aaron Drinan, while Paul Glatzel could be positioned in midfield once again in order to accommodate the two forwards.
Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Boot; Mandeville, Grimes, Dunkley, Gordon; Banks, Oldaker; Colclough, Jacobs, Dobra; Grigg
Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Bycroft; Minturn, Freckleton, Wright; King, Clarke, Longelo, Glatzel, Delaney; Smith, Drinan
We say: Chesterfield 1-1 Swindon Town
Chesterfield will be full of confidence after their strong showing in the National League last season, but they could take some time to settle into their new division.
Swindon's poor away record suggests that victory is unlikely, but with a new manager and many new signings, they could prove difficult to beat on Friday.
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