Hartlepool vs Tranmere Predictions

• Hartlepool picked up 76% of their points at home.
• Tranmere picked up 35% of their points away from home.
• Tranmere failed to win in eight of their last ten visits to Hartlepool.

Graeme Lee demands more from Hartlepool

Following a 1-0 success as outsiders last time out, manager Graeme Lee exclaimed he was unhappy with the performance, indicating the high standards that he is aiming for since his mid-season appointment.

Hartlepool have lost just three of 16 games since Lee’s appointment (W8, D5) and that includes four wins over higher-tier opponents in cup competitions, alluding to the fact that the Monkey Hangers wear their outsider tag with pride ahead of this clash with second-placed Tranmere.

Inspiring further confidence is the fact that Hartlepool’s last home defeat was against champions elect Forest Green, and more importantly before the current managers appointment. Since then, the hosts have gone eight straight home games without a loss, suggesting they will not roll over here.

Tranmere look to bounce back

While Tranmere are the strongest home side in League Two, their questionable away form is what has held them back from running away with the league. That was highlighted in their latest away game, a disappointing 1-0 defeat to an out-of-sorts Walsall side.

Tranmere boss Micky Mellon has faced Hartlepool on five prior occasions, winning only twice (D1, L2) and that includes just one point from a possible six across the two away H2Hs therein.

Overall, I think it is worth taking on a home win in the ‘draw no bet’ market at decent value. While Tranmere have been far superior across the season, Hartlepool are pluckiness personified at home and could grind out a draw at the very least here.