Hartlepool United
- Hartlepool United have shown a marked improvement in form over the last few weeks, winning back-to-back games and three of their last five in the National League 2025/2026.
- Their most recent results have seen them lose 3-2 away to promotion-chasing York City, edge out Solihull Moors 4-3 away, and beat Carlisle United 3-1 at home.
- Hartlepool United are 9th in the National League 2025/2026, but their 51-point haul from 34 games places them just two points below 7th-placed Halifax Town, who have played two more games.
- Simon Grayson has instilled a compact, results-first style in Hartlepool United since taking over as head coach in June 2025.
Halifax Town
- Adam Lakeland has been the architect of an impressive Halifax Town side since taking over in June 2025.
- The Shaymen are a pragmatic, hard-to-beat 4-4-2 that pick their spots in terms of when to press, and have thrived when disciplined in their mid/low block and can hurt sides on the break.
- Halifax Town have failed to win any of their last two trips to Hartlepool United, but they’re coming off the back of back-to-back 2-2 draws at home to Rochdale and Sutton United.
Head-to-Head
- Hartlepool United have won two and drawn one of the last three head-to-head meetings.
- Halifax Town have failed to win their last two trips to Hartlepool United.
Key Players
Tyrese Sinclair has scored three goals in Hartlepool’s last five games.
- Hartlepool United have scored 10 goals in their last five matches.
- Will Harris has scored four of Halifax Town’s last seven goals and 18 in 33 National League appearances this season.
Betting Insights
- The odds for a home win for Hartlepool United, 1.94, look a bit on the short side.
- Over 2.5 goals looks likely at 1.78, and both teams should find the net at 1.64.
Prediction
I’m expecting a set-piece battle between two teams who like to play on the front foot, with the wide duels and transitions having the greatest chance of deciding the outcome.
