Two clubs with contrasting ambitions meet in League Two on Saturday afternoon, with relegation-threatened Hartlepool United hosting promotion-chasing Leyton Orient.
Hartlepool are second from bottom in the table following a run of eight matches without a win, while Leyton Orient find themselves six points clear at the summit thanks to an eight-game unbeaten streak.
Match preview
Under the stewardship of their third manager of the season, Hartlepool United are running out of time to secure League Two safety as John Askey aims to keep the Durham outfit in the EFL.
Last month, Askey replaced Keith Curle, who lasted just five months in charge after succeeding Paul Hartley in September, but the new boss has so far failed to transform the team's fortunes.
Askey has overseen four consecutive draws since his arrival, meaning that Hartlepool have failed to win any of their last eight outings, while the club sit two points inside the relegation zone with nine matches remaining.
Not only do Pools hold the worst defensive record in the division, but they also hold the second-worst home record, having won only three of their 18 games at the Suit Direct Stadium.
It goes without saying that Hartlepool will need to start turning draws into wins as quickly as possible if they want to retain their EFL status.
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At the opposite end of the table, Leyton Orient are on course for promotion as they find themselves seven points inside the top three with a game in hand on many of their rivals.
The O's have lost just five of their 36 league matches this season, picking up 21 wins and 10 draws along the way, and they also boast the best defensive record in the division, having conceded seven goals fewer than second-placed Stevenage.
Richie Wellens's men head into Saturday's clash on an eight-game unbeaten run, with four draws and four wins coming since their last loss, and they have also kept a clean sheet in three of their previous four victories.
Having amassed 42 points more than Hartlepool this term – conceding 42 goals fewer than Pools in the process – Leyton Orient will be confident of enhancing their promotion aspirations this weekend.
Team News
Hartlepool will be without centre-back Rollin Menayese on Saturday as the 25-year-old continues to recover from an ankle injury, so Edon Pruti, Euan Murray and Daniel Dodds will continue in the middle of defence.
Having bagged 11 goals and two assists in 33 league outings this season, Josh Umerah will lead the line for the hosts, with Connor Jennings offering support in attack.
As for Leyton Orient, right-back Rob Hunt looks set to remain on the sidelines after missing the past seven matches due to injury, so Thomas James should retain his place in the backline.
Ruel Sotiriou has bagged two goals and two assists in his last five appearances and will likely start alongside Aaron Drinan and Paul Smyth in the visitors' forward line.
Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Stolarczyk; Sterry, Dodds, Murray, Pruti, Ferguson; Sylla, Kemp, Cooke; Jennings, Umerah
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Vigouroux; James, Beckles, Turns, Sweeney; Pratley, Moncur, El Mizouni; Sotiriou, Drinan, Smyth
We say: Hartlepool United 1-3 Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient look destined to strengthen their promotion bid with a straightforward victory over Hartlepool United, whose woeful defensive record is expected to take another significant dent.
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