Chesterfield arrive at the Kassam Stadium as unquestionably the best team in the division.

John Sheridan’s team could be up by the time tomorrow’s game kicks off, and they look to have a squad that will be competitive in League One next season.

So in many ways they are a prime example and marker of what Oxford United would hope to be next season.

But it doesn’t come that easily.

“Remember, they’ve been established in this league for the last ten seasons” said U’s boss Chris Wilder.

“If you look at our history over the last ten years, it doesn’t compare.

“Without going into their financial situation, they’ve brought in some very good players.

“They know the League, they’ve got players that have played at a lot higher level than our players have.

“John’s managed to attract some good players and done some really good deals.

“They’ve got some experienced players that know their way round the football pitch, and John and his assistant, Tommy Wright, have steered them into a fantastic position.”

There should be a great atmosphere at the game with Chesterfield set to bring over 1,000 fans to celebrate promotion, and Oxford feting some of their 1986 Milk Cup winners.

Although the Spireites are a point away from going up, they are likely to be mathematically guaranteed promotion by the time they run out at the Kassam.

That is because third-placed Wycombe and fourth-placed Shrewsbury both have testing away fixtures before the Oxford-Chesterfield clash.

Wycombe are at fifth-placed Torquay today, while the Shrews have a local derby at Hereford at lunctime tomorrow.

If either one of Wycombe or Shrewsbury fail to win, Chesterfield are up.

Oxford have already beaten the Sprieites, though, springing a shock 2-1 win at the B2net Stadium on November 23.

“It was a good performance up there,” Wilder recalls.

“It was a real backs-to-the-wall performance, not the game, but in terms of us going into it.

“We were on a poor run and the result kick-started our season – against a team that was smashing everybody left, right and centre.

“To go there and win was special. It wasn’t an unbelievable rearguard action, we were brave, and we deserved the win on the day.”

Steve MacLean and Tom Craddock got United’s goals that night, as they battled back from a goal down at half-time.

Chesterfield have scored a lot of goals this season.

Among their heavy wins have been 4-0 against Hereford, 4-1 against both Stockport and Wycombe, 5-2 against Accrington, and 5-0 just last month against Rotherham.

Chesterfield were also involved in a remarkable 5-5 draw at home to Crewe in October.

As if to prove their love for goals, four days later, following a 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, they lost 8-7 on penalties!