Two teams who have massively underachieved this season face off in TNT Sports live National League game on Saturday evening. Read my Woking vs Hartlepool match preview and betting predictions below.
After a fourth place finish and a playoff semi-final last season, Woking fans could be forgiven for dreaming of another playoff campaign this year.
However, these dreams have been scuppered, with the Cardinals currently sat in 20th, just one point clear of the relegation zone. Much loved manager Darren Sarll was sacked with his side battling relegation, with Michael Doyle trusted to steady the ship.
It was a big risk appointing a 42-year-old with no previous experience, but a risk chief executive John Katz was willing to take.
The Kingfield was a fortress for Woking last season, with the Cardinals picking up 40 points from 23 home games. This has not been the case, with Woking currently having the worst home record in the league, picking up just 12 points in-front of their home crowd.
Despite possessing an abundance of talented attackers, Woking have struggled for goals, with only Kidderminster (29) scoring fewer goals.
Reece Grego-Cox has been plagued with injuries throughout his career. The 27-year-old has scored 15 goals in 30 appearances for Woking across two seasons. Keeping him fit is imperative to the Cardinal's survival hopes, especially given Padriag Amond's departure to Waterford.
The Monkey Hangers are set for an exciting final 14 games of the season. They are seven points off the playoffs but just eight clear of relegation - highlighting the insanity of the National League.
After relegation from League 2 last season, Hartlepool had expectations of competing towards the top of the National League. John Askey failed to meet these expectations, so was sacked.
His temporary replacement was 76-year-old Lennie Lawrence whose last managerial role was as caretaker manager at Crystal Palace 12-years-old. It was a move that baffled many and put relegation fears to the forefront of Hartlepool fans minds.
Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips was recently appointed as new manager, recording successive 2-1 wins over York and Bromley to start his managerial reign and ease relegation fears somewhat.
However, with many teams below them having games in hands over Hartlepool, a loss to Woking could have them looking over their shoulders once again.
Phillips first task will be to tame the chaotic nature of Hartlepool games, with 22/32 seeing three or more goals, and their away games seeing an average of 3.5 goals. A journey to a team who rank highest for games with under 2.5 goals seems the perfect opportunity to do just this.
Woking enjoyed a stellar season last year, finishing fourth and taking the title of the 'best of the rest.' Notts County and Wrexham are two of the greatest teams the National League has ever seen, while Chesterfield - who came third, are showing their ability this year as they sit 22 points clear atop of the table.
Woking were an exciting, dynamic team, possessing an abundance of attacking talent, with Padriag Amond, Rhys Brown, Reece Grego-Cox and James Daly providing major attacking impetus.
Their defence was also majorly impressive, conceding just 48 goals. The side this year is a shadow of last years.
Hartlepool were relegated straight back to the National League at the first time of asking, after finishing three points from safety. Their leaky defence was a major issue, with the 78 goals conceded a league high.
The club had no stability, with three permanent managers (Peter Hartley, Keith Curle and John Askey) taking the reins throughout the season.
Josh Umerah's 12 goals gave the Monkey Hangers a sniff at survival, but ultimately they fell three points short, with a 6-pointer at home to Crawley in the last few games seemingly sealing their fate.
Joshua Casey
Club captain Josh Casey is slowly cementing himself as a club legend. Now in his sixth season with the Cardinals, the 32-year-old offers tremendous bravery and tenacity in defence. Without him, Woking would be a lot worse off.
Anthony Mancini:
The injury to Mancini at the end of August completely stifled Hartlepool's early season momentum. The 22-year-old signed from Accrington in the summer and is the creative lynchpin in this side. While he is arguably not full fit yet, Mancini is one of the best players in the league and Hartlepool's season lies in his hands.
Jayden Luker is a highly rated 18-year-old currently on loan from Luton. The teen opened the scoring in the 2-0 victory over Oxford City last time out and is a generous price to make it two goals in two.
Jayden Luker to score @ 4.33
1-1 @ 7.00
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