Hartlepool United
- Hartlepool United are having a mixed time of things this season with one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five National League games.
- But two successive 4-0 away defeats to Woking have put a halt to any momentum Hartlepool had built up before Christmas and they enter this clash on the back of two straight defeats.
- United sit 10th with 37 points from 26 games, while Gateshead languish at the bottom in 24th with just 19 points from 25 matches.
Gateshead
- Gateshead’s philosophy is more to play on the front foot, taking the game to the opposition and dictating play through a possession-based approach.
- Rob Elliot has returned to the club to steady the ship and keep the team heading in the right direction, but the Heathens like to play a good, attacking brand of soccer with their wide players getting involved to create chances.
- Gateshead’s recent away form is dismal with no wins, one draw and two defeats in their last three away.
Head-to-Head
Hartlepool United have won three of the last five meetings between the sides, including a 1-0 victory on the road three months ago.
Key Players
United have the more consistent goalscorer, Alex Reid ( 5 in 21 NL games ), while Kain Adom is Gateshead’s biggest threat with 10 in 23 .
Betting Insights
- Gateshead are a big 7.37 outsiders and we will take the safer bet of ‘Over 2.5 goals’ (1.41) in the match.
- The Tyneside club average 1.46 goals per away game in the National League this term, but have conceded 2.54 per match away from home.
Prediction
We give the edge to Hartlepool here to grind out a result in what will be a cagey game in front of the cameras with United solid enough to justify their 1.34 odds for the win.
