Preview: Hartlepool United vs. Newport County - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts were able to secure three points at the weekend, and they will be hoping to continue that run as they are just one point above the bottom two.

Match preview

Hartlepool United have had a difficult first half of the season, having only won three games so far which has left them 21st in the table.

Sitting just a point above the relegation zone brings a level of added pressure to Pool heading into Tuesday night as a defeat could see them drop down the table.

However, Keith Curle's men were able to pick up an important three points at the weekend against Crawley Town, securing a strong clean sheet in the process.

Rollin Menayese found the back of the net in the 68th minute with an own goal by Travis Johnson wrapping things up for Hartlepool.

The team will now be pushing to secure consecutive results, and even though it is impossible to climb and further up the table it would put more pressure on Harrogate Town.

The visitors cannot afford a defeat either as while they are 18th in the table, there is only eight points between them and the relegation zone.

However, they will head into this one on the back of a 1-0 loss against Doncaster Rovers where Kyle Knoyle scored the only goal of the game.

Despite that, Newport County should bring a level of confidence into this one due to the fact they have been much stronger away from home so far this season.

The Exiles have only suffered four of their 11 defeats on the road, proving that they have no problem with taking the game to a team while being the visitors.

Considering the fact that Hartlepool have the worst defensive record in the division, Graham Coughlan will be hoping that his men are able to test their opponents this time around.

Hartlepool United League Two form:

L

W

L

L

L

W

Hartlepool United form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

L

W

Newport County League Two form:

D

D

L

W

W

L

Newport County form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

W

L

Team News

After securing three points at the weekend Curle might opt to make minimal changes to his starting XI in a bid to provide some consistency and momentum.

Hartlepool will likely deploy a back five once again on Tuesday, while Jake Hastie could be an option to use from the first whistle rather than the bench this time around.

Despite the fact Newport failed to score at the weekend, Omar Bogle will have plenty of belief that he can get on the scoresheet this weekend considering Hartlepool's defensive record.

He will likely continue to be partnered by Will Evans upfront, but Offrande Zanzala is another attacking option that the Exiles have.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:

Killip; Tumilty, Menayese, Murray, Ferguson, Sterry; Sylla, Featherstone, Cooke; Hamilton, Hastie

Newport County possible starting lineup:

Day; Drysdale, Farquharson, Demetriou; Lewis, Norman, Moriah-Welsh, Bennett, Waite; Bogle, Evans

We say: Hartlepool United 2-1 Newport County

Neither team has been able to set the world alight with their performances this season, and both will be desperate to secure three points because of that.

While Newport County will have the belief that they are the favourites, Hartlepool should be able to ride the confidence of Saturday's win to secure another result.

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