Northampton vs Hartlepool Predictions

• Both teams have scored in four of Northampton Town’s last five games.
• Four of the last six games to feature Hartlepool United, meanwhile, have contained goals at each end.
• Hartlepool defeated the Cobblers 2-1 in October’s reverse fixture.

Wobbling Northampton face tough test of promotion credentials

A run of just two wins from their last seven league games has dented Northampton’s hopes of automatic promotion and left Jon Brady’s men just three points clear of ninth place in League Two’s crazy promotion battle. Saturday’s visit of Hartlepool, who have won six of their last ten matches, has the potential to throw another spanner in the works.

The visitors have lost just five of the 24 games they’ve played since Graeme Lee took the managerial reigns in December, winning 10 and drawing nine of those contests. The Pools look set for a mid-table finish, but impressive wins over promotion-chasing Tranmere Rovers and Newport Country in recent weeks demonstrate the threat they pose to the hosts.

Northampton’s poor run has coincided with a defensive downturn, with Brady’s men going six games without a shutout after a superb run of five consecutive clean sheets in February. Both teams have now scored in four of their last five games, and a Hartlepool team which has seen goals at both ends feature in four of their last six may trouble the Cobblers again on Saturday.

Goals at both ends likely

With Northampton in poor form but boasting a strong home record after winning 11 of their 19 home league games, and Hartlepool performing well of late but losing on 11 of their 19 road trips this term, the win markets may be best avoided on Saturday.

Instead, back both teams to score, which has been a key feature of both sides’ recent runs and was a winning bet when Hartlepool won the return fixture 2-1 in October. A 1-1 draw, meanwhile, could be a decent correct score play.