Preview:Hartlepool United vs Boston United - prediction, team news, lineups

Fighting for promotion from the National League, Hartlepool United are set to face Boston United at the Prestige Group Stadium on Wednesday.

Pools are hoping to continue their unbeaten streak in midweek, while the Pilgrims are looking to bounce back from defeat last time out.

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Match preview

Simon Grayson's Hartlepool have made a strong start to the 2025-26 campaign, winning three and drawing three of their six games to date.

On Saturday, Pools followed up their 1-1 stalemate on the road to Southend United by earning a point in a 0-0 against Boreham Wood, and while the result was less than ideal, they did secure an impressive fifth clean sheet of the season.

That draw left Grayson's side fourth in the table with 12 points, and they are now three points short of top-of-the-table Rochdale, though they are sure to be one of the major contenders for promotion given that they boast the league's best defence.

Playing at the Prestige Group Stadium this week, the hosts will take confidence from their home record that features only one defeat on their own turf since mid-March.

A fourth victory of the season on Wednesday would be enough to lift Hartlepool into the first-place automatic promotion spot, but their first defeat could see them drop down to seventh, where they may only remain in the playoff places on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Graham Coughlan's Boston survived in the National League last term after being promoted from the National League North, but they have made a slow start to their second season in the division.

Most recently, the Pilgrims were thrashed 3-0 by relegation rivals Truro City, marking their third loss in four matches.

To make matters worse, Coughlan's men have scored in just one of those four games, with Lenell John-Lewis and Greg Sloggett netting in a 2-1 victory over Wealdstone on August 25.

Despite their lacklustre form, Boston have managed to stay clear of the drop zone so far, and their tally of six points has them 17th in the table.

Adding three points to their total could move the Pilgrim's up to 10th in a best-case scenario, but defeat could drag them down into the bottom four.

Hartlepool United National League form:

Boston United National League form:

Boston United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Hartlepool will be without centre-back Maxim Kouogun after he was sent off against Boreham Wood, so Reiss Mcnally and Cameron John could be joined by Tom Parkes in a back three on Wednesday.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Alex Reid should start alongside Danny Johnson in a strike partnership, backed up by a midfield trio of Matty Daly, Nathan Sheron and Jamie Miley.

As for Boston, Lenell John-Lewis is likely to lead the line once again as a lone centre-forward, though Dylan Hill and Arjan Raikhy should offer support from out wide.

Coughlan is also expected to start Connor Teale, Tommy Fogarty and Alex Lankshear at centre-back this week, with Michael Kelly and Ben Grist operating at wing-back.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:

Cartwright; Francis, McNally, Parkes, John, Topalloj; Daly, Sheron, Miley; Reid, Johnson

Boston United possible starting lineup:

Lovett; Grist, Teale, Fogarty, Lankshear, Kelly; Hill, Richards, Sloggett, Raikhy; John-Lewis

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We say: Hartlepool United 2-0 Boston United

 

Hartlepool have conceded just one goal this season, and they will be expecting to continue their unbeaten campaign on Wednesday.

On the other hand, Boston have blanked in three of their last four matches, and they are unlikely to find the back of the net in midweek. 

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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