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Hartlepool United
League Two | Gameweek 46
May 7, 2022 at 3pm UK
Victoria Park
Colchester United

Hartlepool
0 - 2
Colchester


Hull (90+2')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Akinde (9'), Cooper (53')
Smith (79')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Hartlepool United and Colchester United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Hartlepool United will be looking to end an eight-game winless run when they play host to Colchester United on the final matchday of the League Two season.

The visitors, meanwhile, enter Saturday's contest in a positive mood after collecting seven points from their last three matches.


Match preview

Hartlepool United manager Graeme Lee applauds fans after the match on February 5, 2022© Reuters

Hartlepool enter the final matchday in 16th place, and after winning promotion from the National League last season, the Pools can be content with their efforts this term.

A win on Saturday could move Hartlepool up to 14th spot, but their recent form suggests that three points at the weekend may be a tough ask.

The Pools have failed to win any of their last eight matches, although they did manage to end a run of three consecutive defeats last weekend courtesy of a 1-1 draw with relegated Scunthorpe United.

Cameron Wilson struck in the 49th minute to give the Irons a slender lead, but a Nicky Featherstone penalty ensured that the spoils would be shared.

Saturday's hosts have lost their last three home matches, while they have also failed to score in five of their last six contests at Victoria Park, but Graeme Lee will be challenging his players to put on a positive showing at the weekend as they aim to give their home faithful something to cheer about before the summer break.

The visitors, on the other hand, enter the 46th game of a long and arduous season in impressive form after avoiding defeat in their last three matches.

Victories over Bradford City and Newport County were followed by an entertaining 2-2 draw against Walsall, which took place last weekend.

The U's took the lead through Freddie Sears, but goals from Brendan Kiernan and George Miller saw Walsall hit the front before Sears dispatched a spot kick to grab his second of the game, ensuring the encounter would end all square.

That result left Colchester in 19th place, and a win on Saturday would help the U's leapfrog Hartlepool in the league table.

Three points at the weekend would take their away tally for the season to 28, which would surpass the 27 points that they have picked up from home games this term.

Hartlepool United League Two form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D

Colchester United League Two form:
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • D


Team News

Hartlepool are expected to be without the services of Neill Byrne, Isaac Fletcher and Gary Liddle due to injuries, while Mark Shelton is a doubt for Saturday's contest.

Bryn Morris and Featherstone made their returns from injury last weekend and the pair are expected to keep their place in the starting lineup.

In fact, with options limited, Lee could name an unchanged lineup for the final game of the League Two season.

As for the visitors, Max Kenlock could be a doubt after the 25-year-old was forced off before half time against Scunthorpe.

If Kenlock is unable to feature on Saturday then Cameron Coxe could be given a starting place.

Sears took his tally for the season to 14 goals following his brace against Scunthorpe and the forward will lead the line once again on Saturday.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Killip; Sterry, Hull, Odusina, Ferguson; Morris, Featherstone, Crawford; Molyneux, Olomola, Bogle

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Hornby; Tchamadeu, Chambers, Smith, Coxe; Huws, Judge; Wiredu, Chilvers, Hannant; Sears


SM words green background

We say: Hartlepool United 1-2 Colchester United

With Hartlepool struggling for points and Colchester in fine form, we think that the U's will end the season with back-to-back away victories.



Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Hartlepool United win with a probability of 37.15%. A win for Colchester United had a probability of 35.4% and a draw had a probability of 27.4%.

The most likely scoreline for a Hartlepool United win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.85%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.01%) and 2-0 (6.69%). The likeliest Colchester United win was 0-1 (10.53%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.99%). The actual scoreline of 0-2 was predicted with a 6.3% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole correctly predicted that Colchester United would win this match.



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Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



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14Maidenhead UnitedMaidenhead461513186067-758
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19Ebbsfleet461412205974-1554
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22Kidderminster HarriersKidderminster461113224059-1946
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24Oxford CityOxford City4689295494-4033


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