Altrincham and Hartlepool United square off on Wednesday evening with the opportunity to make considerable inroads up the National League standings.
These two clubs sit in 14th and 17th position respectively, within touching distance as high up as eighth spot.
Match preview
Having finished in fourth position during 2023-24, Altrincham had hoped to put together another surprise bid for promotion to the EFL.
As it stands, though, Phil Parkinson's side are only in 14th spot having won just five of their opening 14 games in the fifth tier.
Only three normal-time victories have been posted in their last 11, with Altrincham also suffering defeat to Solihull Moors in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round during that period.
On a more positive note, the Robins overturned a deficit to earn a late 2-2 draw at home to Gateshead on Saturday, keeping them within two points of eighth place.
However, Altrincham have now gone eight matches in all competitions without keeping a clean sheet, something that will not be lost on their opponents.
Hartlepool, meanwhile, are hopeful they will soon be on an upward trajectory after ending the run of form that led to Darren Sarll's sacking.
The 3-1 reverse to Brackley Town in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round was enough for Lennie Lawrence, not for the first time, to be promoted to caretaker boss.
A 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Maidenhead United came in his opening game on Saturday, with the Monkey Hangers having now collected four points from their most recent two fifth-tier fixtures.
Nevertheless, just two wins from 11 league matches have been recorded since August 24, highlighting the work that Lawrence has ahead of him to stabilise the situation.
Team News
Regan Linney may be brought back into the Altrincham XI having dropped down to the substitutes' bench for the Gateshead game.
He would likely get the nod over the goalless Joe Nuttall if it becomes a straight choice out of who to replace Jake Bickerstaff, who is also yet to score in this season's National League.
Meanwhile, Adam Campbell will expect a recall to the Hartlepool side having scored the leveller at Maidenhead on Saturday.
Greg Sloggett appears likely to drop down to the replacements for this contest, although Anthony Mancini is an option to be restored in midfield.
Altrincham possible starting lineup:
Ross; Golden, Olsen, Jones, Baines; Crawford, Humbles; Reddin, Wilson, Newby; Linney
Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Young; Dodds, Waterfall, Parkes, Ferguson; Grey, Sheron, Featherstone, Mathurin; Campbell; Dieseruvwe
We say: Altrincham 1-1 Hartlepool United
Hartlepool have reason to feel that they are the marginal favourites for this contest. Nevertheless, the home side showed their resolve against a higher-ranked North East opponent at the weekend, something that leads us to predict a hard-fought share of the spoils here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
