After a disappointing Boxing Day defeat at Mansfield, Hartlepool United are looking to bounce back with the visit of Oldham to the Suit Direct Stadium. In the first game of 2022, Graeme Lee and Michael Nelson will be hoping to start the year right.
The Opposition
Oldham are currently bottom of the Football League, sitting 24th in League Two. They're without a win in their previous five games, though the Latics did play out a spectacular 5-5 draw with Forest Green in early December.
Oldham are currently led by former PSG, Malaga, and Tunisia midfielder Selim Benachour. He took over following Keith Curle's dismissal earlier this season after previously coaching the Latics' under-18s side. The team features former Blackburn goalkeeper Jason Leutwiler and Carl Piergianni, a former team-mate of Mark Shelton at Salford.
The History
The sides have met 69 times in the past, with Pools winning 22, Oldham winning 33, and 14 games ending in a draw. Most recently, the sides played out a 0-0 draw in September 2021.
Current first-team coach Tony Sweeney will have fond memories of the fixture, scoring against the Latics in 2012, 2011, and 2008.
Team News
Pools have a full squad to choose from against Oldham, with Jamie Sterry only taken off as a precaution against Mansfield. Jordan Cook returned the bench against the Stags, and the forward will be hoping for game time as the fixtures come thick and fast.
How to Follow
If you're not traveling to the Suit Direct Stadium on Saturday, you can follow the action with audio commentary via iFollow. Join Alex Chandy and Adam Boyd for full commentary purchasing your audio pass below: