Two sides separated by five points in the middle of the League Two table will do battle at Victoria Park on Tuesday, as Hartlepool United host Bradford City.

Thanks to an impressive recent run, the hosts have climbed above their opponents and up to 12th spot, although the Bantams did pick up an important victory at the weekend.

Match preview

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Following a mixed start to the campaign, Hartlepool United looked to have taken major steps early in the new year, as they enjoyed an eight-game league unbeaten run including four victories.

That run was put to an end by a 3-1 defeat to Walsall, but they bounced back by beating Harrogate Town 2-1 away from home before eventually falling to League One leaders Rotherham United in the EFL Trophy semi-final despite a valiant effort.

In that game, Graeme Lee's side took the lead twice through Joe Grey and Luke Molyneux, only for Michael Smith to equalise twice and the Millers to win a penalty shootout, denying Hartlepool a place at Wembley.

Upon their return to league action, the Pools played out a goalless draw with Leyton Orient at the weekend, seeing them remain 12th in England's fourth tier.

While the playoffs are almost certainly out of reach, Lee's men will still hope to finish the season strongly to earn a top-half finish.

They meet a Bradford side also keen to climb back to the top end of mid-table after a dismal run of form.

An underwhelming first half to the campaign triggered the dismissal of Derek Adams, and experienced manager Mark Hughes has now taken the reins at Valley Parade.

The former Manchester City and Stoke City boss did not have the ideal start, beginning with defeats to Mansfield Town and Swindon Town on home turf, before they were finally able to break a five-game losing run last time out.

The Bantams faced the unenviable task of a trip to league leaders Forest Green Rovers, but goals from Callum Cooke and Andy Cook ensured they returned to Yorkshire with an impressive 2-0 win.

That has seen Hughes's side move level with Harrogate Town and five points behind their hosts in the top half, and the Bantams will now look to add a second straight victory to begin a climb back up the table.

Team News

Hartlepool United will remain without midfielder Bryn Morris due to an injury, leaving Nicky Featherstone, Mark Shelton and Tom Crawford to line up as a trio.

Their line will be led by Omar Bogle, who has netted four goals in nine league appearances for the club since a January move from Doncaster Rovers.

Winger Luke Molyneux will hope to return to the front line after he was reduced to a substitute appearance last time out, despite finding the net in their eventual defeat to Rotherham United.

Bradford may look to deploy an unchanged starting XI from the one that defeated Forest Green Rovers at the weekend, with Andy Cook bound to lead the line after netting his 11th league goal of the season.

Callum Cooke will again support the strikers, having also got on the scoresheet in that game, with Gareth Evans, Elliot Watt and Alex Gilliead set to line up as a midfield trio.

Paudie O'Connor and Yann Songo'o partnered up at the heart of the back four last time out, and, after a clean sheet, they should both keep their places.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Killip; Sterry, Byrne, Odusina, Ferguson; Shelton, Featherstone, Crawford; Molyneux, Bogle, Grey

Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Bass; Hendrie, Songo'o, O'Connor, Foulds; Evans, Watt, Gilliead; Cooke; Pereira, Cook

We say: Hartlepool United 1-1 Bradford City

Bradford should be on a high following Saturday's win, while Hartlepool have been vastly improved over the course of several months, and we predict a tight affair as a result.

Ultimately, we see a cagey meeting finishing level as the Bantams have enough to avoid a midweek defeat away from home.

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