Oldham Athletic play host to Hartlepool United on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that will catapult them back into the National League playoff hunt.

At a time when the home side sit in 11th position in the standings, Hartlepool have recently dropped down to 16th place after a five-game run without a victory.

Match preview

After a dismal start to the season, Oldham have emerged as one of the dark horses for promotion having moved through the midway point of the campaign.

Although two defeats have been posted in six games, just three have been recorded in 16, with eight victories being earned during that period.

In a remarkable set of results, Oldham have been involved in six successive games in which the visitors have prevailed, with four of them going in the Latics' favour.

The most recent of those was the reverse encounter that took place on Boxing Day, with Micky Mellon's side coming from behind to earn a 3-1 triumph in the North East.

Oldham have now also scored in eight games in succession, something that will not be lost on opponents who appear to have lost their way.

Having began the season with five wins from seven, Hartlepool looked like promotion contenders, but they currently have just two victories since the beginning of October.

Prevailing at 19th-placed York City is their solitary success in 10 league outings, with two draws all that they have to show for their most recent five games.

John Askey is fighting to keep his job in the long term now that Hartlepool have dropped 11 points adrift of the top six, a position that would have been deemed their target after relegation from the EFL.

On a more positive note, Askey's side have gone three away games without suffering defeat, collecting five points against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Team News

Such was the level of Oldham's performance in the away fixture between these two teams that Mellon opted against making any substitutions.

Barring any fitness issues, the same XI is expected to be named with Mellon hoping that James Norwood can further add to the 14 league goals that he has scored this season.

Askey is expected to take a different approach with his Hartlepool side, with Kieran Burton and Anthony Mancini both pushing for recalls.

Although Louis Stephenson earned his first National League minutes as a substitute on Tuesday, the 17-year-old is unlikely to be considered for a start.

Oldham Athletic possible starting lineup:
Hudson; Hogan, Raglan, Kitching, Sheron, Hobson, Sutton, Lundstram, Norwood, Hope, Stones

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Dixon; Ferguson, Onariase, Burton, Brennan, Featherstone, Hancox, Cooke, Mancini, Umerah, Grey

We say: Oldham Athletic 2-1 Hartlepool United

Hartlepool will be determined to put things right after losing at home to Oldham earlier this week. Nevertheless, we can only predict a home win, even though the Latics may have to work harder for maximum points.


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