- Recent form: Fylde have won their last 2 matches, beating Scunthorpe United (2-0) and Atherton Collieries (5-0).
- Opponents' form: Hartlepool have lost 4 of their last 5 games and won just once.
Fylde to maintain their momentum
Form and standings
AFC Fylde have taken 23 points from their opening 13 National League 2026/2027 games to sit 7th in the table, while Hartlepool United have taken 12 points from 13 matches to sit 20th. The Coasters come into this match in fine form with 3 wins and just 2 defeats in their last 5 competitive matches.
Tactics and personnel
Craig Mahon has done a tremendous job since his appointment as AFC Fylde boss on 1 July 2025. His team are a possession-first team that like to play the ball on the ground and build from the back. However, they do have a keen counter-pressing game and won't allow the opposition much time on the ball if they lose it.
Players to watch
- They've scored 8 goals in this run, and the likes of Luca Thomas (6 goals in 9 National League 2026/2027 appearances), Cedric Main (3 goals in Fylde's last 5) will be looking to add to their season's total on Tuesday.
- They lost 1-0 at home to Tamworth FC in the National League 2026/2027, then went to Forest Green Rovers and beat the National League 2026/2027 table-toppers 4-2.
- They then suffered another home defeat, this time 0-2, to Marine in FA Cup Qualification 2026.
Hartlepool situation
Peter Wild has done a decent job since taking over at Hartlepool on 1 October 2026. His Pools have a high-tempo, high-press game that can make opponents make mistakes and turnovers. They can then punish teams on the counter-attack with their pace and skill. However, this style of play doesn't always lend itself to a tight tactical battle like this one. The Pools enter this game in poor form with 4 defeats and just 1 win in their last 5.
Fylde are a short odds
AFC Fylde are the expected winners here, and odds of 1.71 on the home side seem a little short, but they are the right call in this encounter. The Pools need to be at the top of their game to beat Fylde at Mill Farm, and I don't see them getting the win here.
Hartlepool's away record in the National League 2026/2027 season is 2 wins and 5 losses from 7 matches, and that shaky road form makes me think Fylde should be able to get the job done on Tuesday. Hartlepool's high-tempo press could make it difficult for the Coasters to play their style, but this should also leave space in behind the home defence for the hosts to exploit if they are patient.
Fylde have a knack for grinding out results at home, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats from 6 games in the National League 2026/2027. The head-to-head record is split 1-1 across the last 2 meetings between these sides, but Hartlepool have failed to win at Fylde in their last 3 visits. The best bet here is for a home win, as the visitors would need a near-perfect performance to turn the tide on Fylde.
