The Carabao Cup begins its first round with an intriguing clash as League Two side Chesterfield hosts League One team Mansfield Town at the SMH Group Stadium. For Chesterfield, this match represents a chance to cause a cup upset and find some much-needed momentum after a strong start to their league campaign. Under the management of Paul Cook, the Spireites will be looking to their home advantage and fighting spirit to overcome the higher-tier opposition. However, they will be wary of the potential for a classic cup shock. Mansfield Town, under the management of Nigel Clough, comes into the fixture with the same ambition. This is a chance for the Stags to build on their recent form and secure a comfortable passage into the next round, but they must avoid complacency against a determined Chesterfield side.
Chesterfield has had a strong start to their season, with a number of wins in their opening two league matches. The team has been active in the summer transfer window, bringing in several new faces to bolster their squad. They will be relying on their key players, such as forward Lee Bonis and midfielder Ryan Stirk, to make an impact. Mansfield Town, on the other hand, comes into the fixture with a difficult start to their League One campaign. They secured a notable 2-1 defeat to Doncaster Rovers in their last outing, which will not have done much for their confidence. This match promises to be an interesting tactical affair, with Mansfield Town expected to dominate possession and Chesterfield likely to adopt a more defensive approach, looking to hit their opponents on the counter-attack.
Match Details
Competition: Carabao Cup, First Round
Location: Chesterfield, England
Stadium: SMH Group Stadium
Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Kick-off Time: 2:45 PM ET / 7:45 PM BST / 8:45 PM CEST
Referee: Adam Herczeg
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
The history between these two teams is a long one, with their most recent meeting being in the FA Cup in 2020. Mansfield Town won that encounter 3-0. However, both teams have had mixed starts to their current seasons. Chesterfield’s recent form is strong, with a number of mixed results in their pre-season friendlies and an opening-day defeat in the League Two. Mansfield Town’s recent form is poor, with their win in their last outing a key indicator of their potential this season. The Carabao Cup is a different competition entirely, and both teams will be viewing this match as a chance to secure a crucial win and gain momentum for the rest of their seasons.
Chesterfield:
Chesterfield enters this match with the pressure of a difficult start to the season. The team will be looking to its key players, including new signings and in-form midfielders, to stabilize the team and deliver a performance worthy of their home crowd. Manager Paul Cook is expected to use this match to give minutes to some of his new signings and to test new tactical setups. The team will be looking to its home crowd for support as they aim to progress to the second round of the cup. With their superior squad depth, they are the clear favorites to win this match.
August 9, 2025: Chesterfield 2–0 Cheltenham Town (League Two)
August 2, 2025: Chesterfield 1–0 Barrow (League Two)
July 26, 2025: Chesterfield 1–4 Sheffield United (Friendly)
Mansfield Town:
Mansfield Town is facing a tough challenge against a higher-division opponent. The team will be motivated by the prospect of a cup upset and a chance to beat their rivals. Manager Nigel Clough has a number of new signings at his disposal, including midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh and striker Dom Dwyer, and they will be looking to make an impact in this match. Mansfield Town will likely adopt a defensive and disciplined approach, aiming to frustrate Chesterfield and capitalize on any set pieces or counter-attacking opportunities. The team’s resolve and fighting spirit will be their biggest assets in this match, as they seek to pull off a shock result and advance to the next round.
August 9, 2025: Mansfield Town 1–2 Doncaster Rovers (League One)
August 2, 2025: Mansfield Town 1–2 Burton Albion (League One)
July 26, 2025: Mansfield Town 2–0 Sheffield Wednesday (Friendly)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
Mansfield Town is expected to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game. They will rely on their creative midfielders and attacking forwards to create scoring opportunities. The key matchup will be between Mansfield Town’s attack and Chesterfield’s defense. For Chesterfield, the strategy will be more pragmatic, with a focus on staying compact and frustrating their opponents. They will look to the pace of their wingers to launch quick counter-attacks. The match will be a test of Chesterfield’s resilience against Mansfield Town’s quality. While an upset is always possible in a cup tie, Mansfield Town’s superior individual talent should ultimately be the deciding factor.
How to Watch Chesterfield vs. Mansfield Town on TV, Live Stream
CountryTV/Live StreamUnited KingdomSky Sports Football, Sky Sports+, TNT SportsUnited StatesESPN+CanadaDAZN CanadaAustraliabeIN Sports
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports+, with TNT Sports also providing live coverage. In the United States, you can catch the action on ESPN+. In Canada, the game is available via DAZN Canada, while in Australia, beIN Sports will be broadcasting the match. For all other regions, broadcasting information can vary, so it’s best to check official EFL Cup or local sports broadcasting websites for the most up-to-date information on how to watch the match live.
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