- Poole have started the new Southern League Premier Division South 2026 season with a 3-3 draw at Uxbridge and a 2-1 win away at Chichester City.
- Sholing, meanwhile, have played one league game, a 2-2 draw at home to Wimborne, in addition to a 4-0 away win at Dorchester and a 2-1 defeat at home to Bath City in the opening matches of the 2026 and 2025/2026 season's Southern League Premier Division South.
Poole’s promotion push begins here
Sholing have the better of the head-to-head record in this fixture but Poole have begun the season with a flourish and have enough momentum to suggest they can avoid defeat at Tatnam Ground, England. The Black and Whites have been the more impressive side in recent months, winning 3, drawing 1 and losing 1 of their last 5, while Sholing have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 3 of their previous 5.
Poole are 8th in the Southern League Premier Division South 2026 after 1 game and 3 points while Sholing are 14th after 1 game and 0 points, but the form guide should be the better indicator for this fixture. The main betting angle is therefore for Poole to avoid defeat in what should be a lively and open contest.
A tale of two contrasting styles
Poole like to play an attack-first style of football, making their money in the wide areas and trying to get into the channels as quickly as possible. The pace of the game is fast and they will try to put opponents under pressure, but that can leave gaps to play into if the opposition are willing to sit deep and soak up pressure.
Paul Doswell's men are more structured and will be the more compact and physically robust of the two teams on Tuesday. They have plenty of wing-play and direct service, which should do plenty of damage to Poole's defensive line.
Recent history and form point to Poole
There's nothing to split these two teams in the betting markets with Poole 23/20, Sholing 49/25 and the draw 47/20, so we are happy to side with the hosts here for the win. The over 2.5 goals market is also available at 77/100 while both teams to score is 31/50, both of which look likely in this clash.
Sholing have won two of their last three visits to Poole and the hoodoo is alive and well in this one. However, Sholing's recent form has been mixed at best and Poole's has been strong, so we're taking the Black and Whites to eke out a narrow win in this match.
Poole have scored 9 goals across their last 5 matches and the bulk of that damage has been done by Shaq Gwengwe, who has 4 goals in the same fixtures. He is the main danger man to watch for on Tuesday.
