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

Hartlepool United and Newport County square off on Friday evening with the teams locked on the same points in the League Two standings.

The two clubs have also claimed nine points from their last five contests, and they will both expect to move into the playoff positions with victory at Victoria Park.

Match preview

On the back of Dave Challinor's surprise move to Stockport County, interim boss Antony Sweeney's focus will be on stabilising a team which have impressed many this season.

His first two matches have offered encouragement, Hartlepool following a narrow win over Everton Under-21s in the EFL Trophy with a draw against Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup.

As it stands, the 38-year-old remains unlikely to be handed the reins in the long term, but another victory on Friday night would not harm his chances.

While Hartlepool's last league game ended in a 5-0 defeat at Leyton Orient, nine points had previously been collected from a possible 12.

The main thing in Hartlepool's favour ahead of this contest is their home record, the Monkey Hangers not losing at Victoria Park in any competition since August 10.

Opponents Newport are going through their own transitional period with new manager James Rowberry having overseen just four matches since being named as the permanent successor to Michael Flynn.

Although eight goals were scored during his opening two games, County have since lost 1-0 at Morecambe and Swindon Town in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy respectively.

Rowberry will not be overly concerned about those results, particularly the first which came against League One opposition, but he will demand that his players rediscover their goalscoring touch on Friday night.

Dominic Telford currently finds himself on a remarkable run of form in the league, the 24-year-old contributing seven goals and one assist in just three games.

Team News

Mark Shelton is in line to come into the Hartlepool midfield after Gavan Holohan sustained an injury during the latter stages against Wycombe.

Goalkeeper Ben Killip and defender Jamie Sterry could both return to the starting lineup if they overcome minor injuries.

Barring any late fitness issues, Rowberry could stick with the Newport side which performed well at Morecambe.

Ed Upson and Alex Fisher are among the players who may be recalled to the team if Rowberry opts for a different approach.

Timmy Abraham, who will likely start among the replacements, is one yellow card away from a suspension.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:

Killip; Sterry, Liddle, Ferguson, Hendrie, Ogle; Featherstone, Daly, Shelton, Molyneux; Cullen

Newport County possible starting lineup:

Day; Norman, Clarke, Demetriou, Lewis; Azaz, Willmott, Cain; Cooper; Telford, Baker-Richardson

We say: Hartlepool United 2-1 Newport County

While Newport can claim to be one of the form teams in the division, we cannot ignore Hartlepool's home record. With that in mind, expect the North-East outfit to record a seventh league win in eight attempts at Victoria Park, potentially by the odd goal in three.