Hartlepool vs Barnet Predictions

Having held League One side Bristol Rovers to a draw in the FA Cup last weekend, Barnet should come into this fixture full of confidence, though the hosts also held League One opponents to a draw, so they too will fancy themselves to kick on.

As things stand, Hartlepool are in a reasonably pleasing position in the league, though their recent for hasn’t bene particularly impressive. Matthew Bates’ men are without a win in four (in all competitions, while they’re now without a goal in three. Such form doesn’t exactly bode well, though having forced a replay by drawing 0-0 away against Gillingham last weekend in the FA Cup, Sunday’s hosts should come into this fixture with improved spirits.

Furthermore, although their recent results haven’t been too desirable, Hartlepool’s overall performance this season has been relatively pleasing, especially at home. Saturday’s hosts have lost one of their eight home games, while the underlying numbers tell us that they’re not especially easy to face. Bates’ men are averaging 1.59 expected goals for at home, while they’re giving up an average of just 1.05 at the other end. They have conceded in all but two of their home games, though they’ve only conceded more than once on two occasions.

As the league table shows, Barnet haven’t done quite as well as Hartlepool in terms of point accumulated, but they’re not too far behind. Like the hosts, they’re also looking to put an end to a winless run, which suggests that they’re not the best side, though if we dig a little deeper, it’s easy to see that John Still’s men are also tough to face.

Results have been a bit up and down when Barnet have played away from home during the current campaign, though overall, they’ve done well. Still’s side have picked up four wins on their travels, while their performances have been solid. That said, they have struggled offensively when faced with side that are adept at keeping things tight at the back, so it will be interesting to see how they fare at Victoria Park on Sunday.

From a betting point of view, at the prices, it’s not easy to fancy either side. For one reason or another, a case could be made for both, though neither appeal with the betting the way it is. Instead, the bet that catches the eye is ‘Both Teams to Score – NO’.

Hartlepool have looked useful from a defensive point of view at home and have been a tad unlucky not to keep a few more clean sheets, while Barnet have often defended well on their travels. Both teams also rank inside the top eight in terms of shots against. With the visitors averaging just 1.07 expected goals against on the road and with the hosts surrendering just 1.05 at home, backing at least one of the teams to misfire stands out. After all, both teams have found the net in just two of Barnet’s eight away games during the current campaign.