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

Winless in 11, Hartlepool United welcome promotion hopefuls Doncaster Rovers to the Suit Direct Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Doncaster have won two games on the bounce, with a third in a row potentially seeing them climb as high as fourth.

Match preview

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Hartlepool go into this game on a wretched run of form that sees them without a win from their 11 league games so far this season.

Paul Hartley's side have lost just one of their last five games, but the four draws have prevented them from making any progress up the division.

Hartlepool's most recent result was a 2-2 draw at promotion-chasing Mansfield Town on Friday, where a Josh Umerah brace completed an unlikely comeback and gave the away side a crucial point in their survival battle.

Considering how poor their form has been, it is perhaps surprising that Hartlepool have only lost one game at home this season and that was a 3-1 defeat to playoff hopefuls Bradford City.

Pools' last home game was a 0-0 draw against Gillingham, so they will go into their fixture with Doncaster with the belief that they can frustrate their opponents.

Doncaster Rovers are meanwhile enjoying a much better start to the season, currently sitting in eighth and outside the playoffs only on goal difference.

Gary McSheffrey's side are unbeaten in three games in all competitions and have won their last two league games by an aggregate score of 6-2.

Last time out Doncaster ran out 2-1 winners at Rochdale, where goals from Kieran Agard and George Miller saw them take all three points from the Crown Oil Arena.

This away win followed an impressive 4-1 home victory over Crawley Town, so their form appears to be on an upwards turn going into the game on Tuesday evening.

Team News

Jamie Sterry is doubtful for Hartlepool here; the defender is expected to return soon, but it looks as though Tuesday night will come too soon for him.

Paul Hartley has an otherwise full squad to choose from, and Tom Crawford will be pushing for consecutive starts having returned from suspension against Mansfield.

There are a few injury concerns for Doncaster, as Tommy Rowe and Jon Taylor are expected to miss out again.

The duo missed the trip to Rochdale and are not expected to return here either, although Taylor would be closest to making a return to the bench.

Ben Close is however expected to return having gone off as a precaution in the victory over Crawley, and Reo Griffiths is also back having returned to training last week.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:

Killip; Murray, Lacey, Menayese; Tumilty, Crawford, Sylla, Shelton, Ferguson; Ndjoli, McDonald

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Mitchell; Knoyle, Williams, Olowu, Maxwell; Molyneux, Clayton, Close, Hurst; Agard, Miller

We say: Hartlepool United 0-2 Doncaster Rovers

Hartlepool have made a really disappointing start to the season and confidence is surely at a low point, whereas Doncaster are only looking up as they aim for the playoffs this season.

Despite Hartlepool's decent home record, their winless run this season looks set to continue against a buoyant Doncaster.

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