Preview: Hartlepool United v Bristol City

By Albatross
January 21 2005

Looks familiar? Bristol City travel up to Victoria Park to face Hartlepool United this weekend, in what will be the sixth competetive game between the sides in just under 18 months. Can Pools record our first win over them in that time?

It is of course not long since our last meeting with City - a 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate that was built on a strong defensive performance and achieved despite illness that affected our forward line in particular. Pools have been unbeaten since then, with three wins and two draws. Our opponents have similarly been in good form, last weekend becoming only the second side this season to win away at Tranmere - although they will have been disappointed to have only drawn at home to Bradford in midweek.

City's away form has been pretty useful this season, with five wins, six draws and just three defeats. Their last defeat came at home to Luton seven games ago, while they are currently unbeaten in nine away league games going back to September. It's mainly on the back of this good away record that they've climbed into the Playoff Places, and they should provide a pretty stern test for Pools.

Leading Scorer for the Robins remains Leroy Lita with 19 in all competitions so far; at the moment his regular partner seems to be Steve Brooker, with Paul Heffernan mostly on the bench. Tony Butler looks set to go straight back into the side in defence, with Craig Ireland suspended; the only other concern seems to be young defender Ryan Harley, who has only played a couple of games anyway.

Pools though are facing a few problems. Clarke and Barron are certain to be out, and it looks unlikely that Joel Porter will be available after Mumps kept him out of the win at Boston; and Eifion Williams is also still doubtful after suffering from illness. It seems more than likely that we'll field the same lineup that started the game at York Street, Andy Appleby continuing up front alongside Boyd and Ben Clark filling in on the right of midfield.

This is to be honest a game that could go either way. Pools are strong at home, City are strong away; both sides are in the thick of the playoff battle, and both are on decent runs. I'm going for a draw, 1-1 with Sweeney to score for Pools.