- Hartlepool form: Hartlepool have won one and lost four of their last five National League 2026/2027 games
- Hornchurch form: AFC Hornchurch have won three of their last five and are on a two-game winning streak
- Table position: AFC Hornchurch's 21 points from 13 games is enough for 9th place in the National League 2026/2027 table
Hartlepool hope to drag Hornchurch into a scramble
Home record and defence
Hartlepool United have managed to pick up just two home wins in their six National League 2026/2027 fixtures in front of their own fans and have a solid defensive record in the North-East. Peter Wild's side have conceded just 1.00 goals per game at The Suit Direct Stadium, England and this could be a long and tough night for Hornchurch.
League position and recent form
Pools sit 20th in the National League 2026/2027 with just 12 points from 13 matches so they'll be desperate to pull themselves out of the relegation zone as soon as possible. They've also won just one of their last five National League 2026/2027 matches, losing four, so momentum isn't with them.
Tactical approach
However, Pools have a unique skillset and can set up in a deep block but also roll out a more high-tempo game with pressing phases when the match state dictates, so they could attempt to drag this game into a scrap and hit on the counter.
Hornchurch have a high-tempo attack that could punish Pools
AFC Hornchurch's 21-point haul from 13 games is keeping them in the top half of the National League 2026/2027 and Daryl McMahon has been on a front-foot strategy since January 2024. They have a clear and simple game plan to dominate territory with a 3-5-2 setup that has plenty of width and aggression from the wing-backs.
Hornchurch have won just two of their seven away games so far in the National League 2026/2027 but they've averaged 0.86 goals per away game and conceded 2.43 – this should be a volatile matchup.
Bet on over 2.5 goals for an exciting game
Odds and prediction
The bookies have Hartlepool as the slight favorites at 2.18 with Hornchurch listed as 2.91 and the draw is going at 3.3 for this one. This looks like a tough game to call for all three outcomes and it could pay to back over 2.5 goals at 1.76 to take advantage of Hornchurch's attacking edge and Hartlepool's penchant for open games.
Players to watch
Hornchurch are in better form, have a sharper attacking edge and can upset the apple cart here against a Hartlepool side that have been rocked by four defeats ahead of this clash.
- Will Harris is Pools' top scorer with three goals in 11 National League 2026/2027 appearances but has scored two of their six goals in the last five games, so he could be a decent anytime goalscorer pick.
- Hornchurch's Joseph Kizzi tops their charts with three in nine and can make things happen for the Urchins in the National League 2026/2027 – Dominic Poleon is red-hot right now with two of Hornchurch's last four and can take advantage of any defensive mistakes in this one.
