In the National League's third matchweek, Tamworth are set to host Hartlepool United on Tuesday at The Lamb Ground.
The home side have had a disappointing start to the season and are currently 18th with one point, while the visitors are in 10th place with four points.
Match preview
Tamworth began their 2024-25 season with a 1-1 draw against Sutton United on August 20, but it would be understandable if they were disappointed with the result considering they had taken the lead in the 84th minute, only to concede in added time.
In their second game on August 17, the hosts lost 2-0 against York City and only managed to produce three shots in contrast to York's 12.
Manager Andy Peaks will be particularly concerned that his team only had 28% possession in that match and just 42% against Sutton.
However, given that Peaks's side were recently promoted to the fifth tier after they won the National League North in 2023-24, their more pragmatic approach is understandable.
Tamworth have not lost a competitive match at home since November 11, when they lost 2-1 against Banbury United.
Opponents Hartlepool United were relegated from League Two in 2022-23 and finished 12th in the National League with 60 points last term, 11 short of the promotion playoffs.
The visitors began their season with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Yeovil Town on August 10, a match in which they had just 38% possession, before following it up with a 0-0 draw against Southend United on August 17.
Though they had prolonged periods without any chances in front of goal against Southend, boss Darren Sarll will have been delighted with the point considering his side were forced to play with 10 men from the 49th minute.
In fact, Sarll said after the game that the draw felt like a win, although he did mention that he thought the decision to send off Luke Waterfall was harsh.
Hartlepool have won their last two away games in the National League, though prior to these matches they failed to win any of their previous six fixtures on the road.
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Team News
Tamworth will likely name Nathan Tshikuna in the starting XI, especially as he has scored their only goal of the season so far.
Peaks could also name an unchanged defence, so expect Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Jamie Willets, Haydn Hollis and Luke Fairlamb to appear in front of goalkeeper Jasbir Singh.
As for the visitors, they will be without winger Luke Charman due to injury and Luke Waterfall because of suspension, but Charman could return for his side's next game on Saturday.
Hartlepool could start defender Manny Onariase in place of Waterfall, while Anthony Mancini could replace Charman.
Tamworth possible starting lineup:
Singh; Cullinane-Liburd, Willets, Hollis, Fairlamb; Fletcher, Morrison; Finn, Tshikuna, Acquaye; Creaney
Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Dixon; Stephenson, Onariase, Parkes, Ferguson; Sheron, Hunter; Grey, Campbell, Mancini; Dieseruvwe
We say: Tamworth 1-2 Hartlepool United
If Hartlepool can play with the same tenacity and desire that they showed against Southend, it would not be surprising if they emerged as victors on Tuesday.
However, Tamworth were able to cause Sutton difficulties in their opening game of the National League season, and they could prove to be stubborn opponents once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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