- Hartlepool United are 5th in the National League with 6 points from 3 games (W2, L1).
- Eastleigh are 8th in the National League with 6 points from 3 games (W2, L1).
Side with the Pools at the Suit Direct
Hartlepool are the odds-on favourite for this National League encounter at 3/4, but that's perhaps a shade short considering Eastleigh are available at a bigger price of 329/100 and the draw at 27/10. However, we feel that Pools are likelier to edge this Friday's fixture one way or the other and the recent head-to-head record supports the home side.
Hartlepool United have won 2 of their last 5 meetings with Eastleigh (D3), who have failed to win any of those same 5, while the hosts also beat the Spitfires 1-0 at The Suit Direct Stadium in the National League 2025/2026. The visitors have also failed to win any of their last 2 away matches against Hartlepool (D1, L1).
Both sides have dangerous attacking weapons
Pools boss Antony Sweeney has his side looking very well structured and physical, with players seemingly aware of their roles and the importance of maintaining their shape. They are set up to be difficult to break down but also to strike quickly when the game opens up, which it often does for Hartlepool.
Eastleigh boss Matt Gray seems to prefer a faster tempo and his team are much more attack-minded, so this could be a match of defence versus drive in the wide-open spaces. Gray has the tools to make this an interesting match, as his side carry plenty of bite up top and Harry Sidwell has been a main driving force behind Eastleigh's early season success, with 2 goals in 3 National League 2026/2027 matches.
Eastleigh’s attack will be on the move
Eastleigh arrive after a 3-2 home win over Scunthorpe United, following an away loss to Kidderminster Harriers. Hartlepool, on the other hand, come into this on the back of a 2-1 defeat away to Sutton United after good wins over Aldershot Town (1-0) and Barrow (2-0) respectively.
Hartlepool look the more likely winner and we feel they should edge this one, but their narrow win profile and the odds on offer suggest that this could be a tight, low-margin scrap. Under 2.5 goals at 97/100 looks a neat alternative to the home win, although we're sticking with Pools' recent dominance at The Suit to see them through.
