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[monks data]
Mar 25, 2023 at 3pm UK at Victoria Park
Hartlepool
vs.
Leyton Orient

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

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

Two clubs with contrasting ambitions meet in League Two on Saturday afternoon, with relegation-threatened Hartlepool United hosting promotion-chasing Leyton Orient.

Hartlepool are second from bottom in the table following a run of eight matches without a win, while Leyton Orient find themselves six points clear at the summit thanks to an eight-game unbeaten streak.


Match preview

Under the stewardship of their third manager of the season, Hartlepool United are running out of time to secure League Two safety as John Askey aims to keep the Durham outfit in the EFL.

Last month, Askey replaced Keith Curle, who lasted just five months in charge after succeeding Paul Hartley in September, but the new boss has so far failed to transform the team's fortunes.

Askey has overseen four consecutive draws since his arrival, meaning that Hartlepool have failed to win any of their last eight outings, while the club sit two points inside the relegation zone with nine matches remaining.

Not only do Pools hold the worst defensive record in the division, but they also hold the second-worst home record, having won only three of their 18 games at the Suit Direct Stadium.

It goes without saying that Hartlepool will need to start turning draws into wins as quickly as possible if they want to retain their EFL status.

Richie Wellens, now in charge of Leyton Orient, pictured in 2021© Reuters

At the opposite end of the table, Leyton Orient are on course for promotion as they find themselves seven points inside the top three with a game in hand on many of their rivals.

The O's have lost just five of their 36 league matches this season, picking up 21 wins and 10 draws along the way, and they also boast the best defensive record in the division, having conceded seven goals fewer than second-placed Stevenage.

Richie Wellens's men head into Saturday's clash on an eight-game unbeaten run, with four draws and four wins coming since their last loss, and they have also kept a clean sheet in three of their previous four victories.

Having amassed 42 points more than Hartlepool this term – conceding 42 goals fewer than Pools in the process – Leyton Orient will be confident of enhancing their promotion aspirations this weekend.

Hartlepool United League Two form:

Leyton Orient League Two form:


Team News

Hartlepool will be without centre-back Rollin Menayese on Saturday as the 25-year-old continues to recover from an ankle injury, so Edon Pruti, Euan Murray and Daniel Dodds will continue in the middle of defence.

Having bagged 11 goals and two assists in 33 league outings this season, Josh Umerah will lead the line for the hosts, with Connor Jennings offering support in attack.

As for Leyton Orient, right-back Rob Hunt looks set to remain on the sidelines after missing the past seven matches due to injury, so Thomas James should retain his place in the backline.

Ruel Sotiriou has bagged two goals and two assists in his last five appearances and will likely start alongside Aaron Drinan and Paul Smyth in the visitors' forward line.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Stolarczyk; Sterry, Dodds, Murray, Pruti, Ferguson; Sylla, Kemp, Cooke; Jennings, Umerah

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Vigouroux; James, Beckles, Turns, Sweeney; Pratley, Moncur, El Mizouni; Sotiriou, Drinan, Smyth


SM words green background

We say: Hartlepool United 1-3 Leyton Orient

Leyton Orient look destined to strengthen their promotion bid with a straightforward victory over Hartlepool United, whose woeful defensive record is expected to take another significant dent.



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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 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.Over 1.5:data

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Data Pass: [t, league-two, odds, 3017105]

Who will win Saturday's League Two clash between Hartlepool and Leyton Orient?

Hartlepool United
Draw
Leyton Orient
Hartlepool United
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Leyton Orient
0.0%
0
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leyton Orient362110548242473
2Stevenage361910750311967
3Carlisle UnitedCarlisle371812758352366
4Northampton TownNorthampton371812750331766
5Bradford CityBradford371613845321361
6Stockport CountyStockport371791150321860
7Salford City371781257421559
8Mansfield TownMansfield361691155451057
9Sutton UnitedSutton371510124040055
10BarrowBarrow37157153842-452
11Swindon TownSwindon361312114942751
12Doncaster RoversDoncaster37156164050-1051
13Walsall361115103832648
14Tranmere RoversTranmere37139153638-248
15Grimsby Town351210133741-446
16Newport CountyNewport371013143843-543
17AFC Wimbledon371013143843-543
18Crewe AlexandraCrewe37915133447-1342
19Gillingham371011162540-1541
20Harrogate TownHarrogate37911174254-1238
21Colchester UnitedColchester3799193345-1236
22Crawley TownCrawley3689193959-2033
23Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool37613184066-2631
24Rochdale3768233357-2426

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