Hartlepool vs Rotherham United Match Analysis and Prediction

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Hartlepool United and Rotherham United take a break from their league action on Wednesday to seek to reach the final of the EFL Trophy.

The hosts find themselves in mid-table in League Two, while Rotherham sit four points clear at the top of the League One standings.

Rotherham have enjoyed a near-perfect season so far, establishing an advantage in the promotion race and moving to within one win of a trip to Wembley Stadium.

However, Paul Warne will have been disappointed at the weekend after witnessing his side lose their 11-match unbeaten record in all competitions to MK Dons.

Against the odds, Milton Keynes Dons came from behind at a player disadvantage, securing a result which has moved them to within seven points of Rotherham with 10 matches remaining.

Warne will be glad to have a break from focusing on league issues, but picking up just seven points from a possible 15 has left their bid to return to the Championship less of a foregone conclusion.

For all their dominance, Rotherham have also scored just nine times in eight outings, and Warne will be demanding widespread improvements ahead of this match.

Rotherham have twice required a penalty shootout to reach this stage of the competition, eliminating Port Vale and Cambridge United respectively, with Hartlepool also doing the same in the quarter-finals as they defeated Charlton Athletic.

Hartlepool have avoided defeat in four matches against League One opponents in the EFL Trophy this season, providing them with the hope of an upset.

Since falling to a 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fourth round, they have collected 16 points from a possible 21 in the fourth division.

On three of occasions, Hartlepool have come from behind to claim a maximum return, and they now sit just eight points adrift of the playoff spots.

Hartlepool United vs Rotherham United head to head

The two sides have previously met on 12 occasions across all competitions, where Rotherham have taken 6 victories while Hartlepool have won 2, and they have drawn in 4. Hartlepool have scored 8 goals and conceded 20. In their last five matches, Rotherham have won twice, Hartlepool once with two draws.

Hartlepool United 1-2 Rotherham United 29/04/00

Hartlepool United 0-0 Rotherham United 27/09/05

Rotherham United 0-0 Hartlepool United 04/02/06

Hartlepool United 3-1 Rotherham United 17/10/06

Hartlepool United 1-2 Rotherham United 12/11/13

Hartlepool latest home form

Hartlepool have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in any of their ten most recent matches. They recently defeated Charlton Athletic through penalties after a 2-2 draw in the EFL Trophy. In their last five matches, they have scored 8 goals and conceded 5.

Hartlepool United 1-1 Stevenage 22/01/22

Hartlepool United (P)2-2 Charlton Athletic 25/01/22

Hartlepool United 3-1 Barrow 08/02/22

Hartlepool United 1-0 Tranmere Rovers 15/02/22

Hartlepool United 1-1 Sutton United 19/02/22

Hartlepool United latest away form

Hartlepool have recently been on a relatively good form on the road, having lost just two of their seven most recent away matches. They recently lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. In their last five matches, they have won three and lost two, scoring 6 goals and conceding 7.

Crystal Palace 2-0 Hartlepool United 05/02/22

Crawley Town 0-1 Hartlepool United 12/02/22

Colchester United 1-2 Hartlepool United 22/02/22

Walsall 3-1 Hartlepool United 26/02/22

Harrogate Town 1-2 Hartlepool United 05/03/22

Rotherham United latest home form

Rotherham lost their last league home game 2-1 to Milton Keynes Dons. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in more that 10 previous matches. In their last five, they have four and drawn one scoring 6 goals and conceding 4.

Rotherham United (P)1-1 Cambridge United 25/01/22

Rotherham United 1-0 Accrington Stanley 05/02/22

Rotherham United 1-1 Wigan Athletic 18/02/22

Rotherham United 2-0 Morecambe 22/02/22

Rotherham United 1-2 Milton Keynes Dons 05/03/22

Rotherhame United latest away form

Rotherham have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their six most recent matches. Their last away defeat came on January 15 when they lost 1-0 to Fleetwood Town. In their last five matches, they have scored 9 goals, keeping clean sheets in all.

Doncaster Rovers 0-5 Rotherham United 01/02/22

AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Rotherham United 08/02/22

Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Rotherham United 13/02/22

Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Rotherham United 26/02/22

Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Rotherham United 01/03/22

Hartlepool United news

Without any fitness issues, Lee is likely to name a similar Hartlepool side that battled back to see off Harrogate Town last Saturday.

However, Joe White, who has started in five occasions since his arrival in January, is cup-tied after having represented Newcastle United in the earlier stages of the competition.

Rotherham United news

With some changes likely to be made, Joshua Kayode could feature down the middle of the attack, with Michael Smith potentially being rested on Wednesday.

Richard Wood and Angus MacDonald may also get the nod in the back three, replacing any two of the trio who featured against MK Dons.

Prediction and Odds

The trip to Wembley comes open for both sides, giving this contest a big-match feel, especially for the hosts who have less to fight for in their respective league.

However, the visitors cannot be disregarded and with their recent good away record, they are most likely going to take the victory.

Odds: 1 2.45 X 2.05 2 2.20