Hartlepool United v Eastleigh
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 7th January 2020, 7.45pm
Victoria Park
In Opposition
Eastleigh arrive at Victoria Park this evening sitting one point and two places above Pools in the congested middle ground of the National League table.
The Spitfires enjoyed a late charge to the play-offs last
season only to taste defeat at the hands of Salford City in the semi-finals but
they still hold ambitions to reach the top seven once again this term.Ben Strevens had to cope with the loss of several of his best
performing players during the summer, including top scorer Paul McCallum who
was enticed away by Solihull Moors.However, an intelligent recruitment plan has seen him build
another strong squad at Silverlake Stadium and hopes remain high that they can
drive their way up the table in similar style to last season.They have won just once in their last five National League
outings but Strevens will be crossing his fingers that their blank weekend will
have recharged the batteries ahead of tonight's game at The Vic.One To Watch
Danny Hollands has once again been one of the key players for Eastleigh this season and he will be hoping to make them tick once more tonight when they visit Victoria Park.
The experienced midfielder has been an ever-present in the
heart of The Spitfires' engine room this term and has also weight in with nine goals,
including the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Pools in September.The former Bournemouth and Portsmouth star will be a crucial
element for Ben Strevens' men as they look to put together a run of form which
will carry them towards the top seven.Head To Head
Tonight's game will be the sixth competitive meeting between the two sides and Pools are still waiting for their first victory over the Hampshire outfit.
The Spitfires have won three of the previous five encounters
though Pools did take a point from a 1-1 draw when they made the trip to
Silverlake Stadium earlier this season.Eastleigh won at The Vic during their first visit in September
2017 but the sides shared the spoils on their most recent trip last season when
it finished 1-1.Last Meeting
Eastleigh 1 Pools 1
Saturday 28th September 2019
Eastleigh: Stryjek, Partington, Green, Atkinson, Seaman (Bearwish 64), Payne, Smart, Miley, Hollands, Williamson (Barnett 60), Barnes (Rendell 76).
Subs not used: Flitney, Scorey.
Pools: Killip, Kioso, Raynes, Richardson, Cunningham, Kitching, Holohan, Mafuta, Kennedy, Kabamba (James 72), Toure (Muir 82).
Subs not used: Crichlow-Noble, Bale, Hawkes.
On The Whistle
Simon Mather will take charge of his second Pools game of the campaign when he is the man in the middle for tonight's meeting with Eastleigh.
The official is in to his second season on the National
League's list of referees and he presided over Pools' defeat at Stockport County
back in October.Mather came to The Vic twice last season too, watching us
overcome Maidenhead United 2-1 in August 2018 and also taking charge when we
drew 1-1 with Havant & Waterlooville in December 2018.Live Commentary
You can once again listen to full live online commentary of tonight's game at The Vic right here on the Official Website from 7.35pm.
Pools legend Brian Honour will be alongside Mark Simpson to
provide full coverage of the action to fans all over the world as Dave Challinor's
men look for three points.Click here now to access the FREE live online commentary.
Buying Tickets
Tickets for the game are available in advance from Victoria Park or online but will also be on sale before kick-off from the Main Ticket Office or from either of our two Matchday Ticket Offices.
Click here now for full information on buying tickets for games at The Vic.
Betting Odds
Pools 34/33
Eastleigh 23/10
Draw 5/2
Click here for a full list of markets and odds ahead of this evening's game.