**Hartlepool's got their backs to the wall** — five straight losses means this National League clash against Tamworth is basically a must-win to stop the rot. 🔴

Pool's been absolute grim watching lately, while Tamworth arrive with some momentum after beating Sutton and Wealdstone, even if they just got battered 5-1 at Aldershot. The H2H stats give Hartlepool a glimmer though — they're unbeaten against Tamworth in their last four.

Key storylines:

- **Hartlepool** need to snap their five-game losing streak or fans will be tearing their hair out
- **J. Hugill** and **W. Harris** are tasked with breaking through a Tamworth backline that's been leaky
- **T. Bramble** and the Tamworth midfield have shown they can be dangerous going forward, but inconsistency is their killer

Expected lineups:

- **Hartlepool United**: M. Merrick, C. McKeown, C. John, M. Kouogun, B. Ilunga, J. Hunter, J. Miley, J. Nolan, N. Sheron, J. Hugill, W. Harris
- **Tamworth**: J. Singh, L. Fairlamb, J. Cullinane-Liburd, J. Rye, T. Lyttle, B. Acquaye, T. Bramble, T. Kurtaran, T. McGlinchey, K. Donnelly, D. Creaney

Prediction:

**Hartlepool 2-1 Tamworth** — desperation at home edges it for Pool, though this feels like a coin flip given how wobbly both sides have looked lately.