It was honours shared in a 2-2 draw at Meadow Lane back in November. An opportunist goal against the run of play by Wes Thomas was enough to ensure Notts went into the break just the one goal behind after trailing 2-0 to an enterprising Hartlepool display. Thomas netted a second for the only goal of the second half to secure the draw.
Pools are currently 12th in the league 4 points behind Notts with 47 points from 34 games and a PPG of 1.38 for the season so far.
Recent form has been pretty good for Hartlepool with just the one defeat in the last 6 league games. Home form is much the same having won the last 3 games at Victoria Park.
Hartlepool last six league games: P6 | W3 | D2 | L1 | GF 10 | GA 6 | GD +4 | Pts 11.
Hartlepool last six home games: P6 | W4 | D1 | L1 | GF 9 | GA 4 | GD +5 | Pts 13.
This equates to a PPG average for the last 6 league games of 1.83, a goals scored per game average of 1.67 and a goals conceded average of 1.0.
By comparison Notts are currently 6th in the league on 51 points courtesy of a better GD over Solihull and Bromley.
Notts have dropped to 11th in the last 6 form table but are 3rd for the last 6 league games on the road.
Notts have a last six league record of P6 | W2 | D3 | L1 | GF 6 | GA 4 | GD +2 | Pts 9.
This equates to a PPG average for the last 6 league games of 1.50, a goals per game average of 1.0 and a goals conceded average of 0.67.
Notts currently have the joint best defence in the league having leaked just 34 goals. Pools are 13th having conceded 47 goals so far this season.
The following chart plots how the two teams compare for league position, form, attack and defence.
Very much like those FIFA game ratings the wider the web the higher the ranking.
How the two teams compare for the season so far (National League):
On current form and with home advantage Hartlepool should be slight favourites, however Notts' defensive record is second to none and are currently on form away from home so expect a tight, cagey affair.
Notts continue to be at their most vulnerable in both the first 15 and last 15 mins of a game and at their most potent in the first 15 mins of the second half. It looks like Hartlepool are at their most vulnerable during the latter stages of a game which might be to Notts' advantage.
Goals scored and conceded per 15 min segment for both Notts and Hartlepool. Segments 31-45 mins and 76-90 mins include goals scored in added/injury time.
A win and 3 points for Notts could potentially see a jump in the table to 4th place subject to the outcome of Boreham Wood vs Yeovil. Fixtures are such that a defeat or even a draw could see Notts drop down to 10th.
Bookies appear to have Hartlepool as favourites for the win where you can get odds of 5/4. Notts are 2/1 for the away win and you can get 9/4 for the draw which probably looks best value right now. (oddschecker.com).
Note:
Betting odds are only used as another means to assess current form and sporting industry expectations of possible result. Notts County Stats do not endorse any form of gambling or betting industry associated businesses.