HARTLEPOOL, England (Interstat) — Hartlepool United will host Forest Green Rovers in a National League fixture on Saturday, with the visitors looking to extend a positive run of form against a home side desperate to reverse a recent slide.

The match at Victoria Park pits two sides in contrasting rhythms. Forest Green arrives buoyed by a 3-1 victory over Braintree Town last Saturday and is unbeaten in three, having scored eight goals in that span. Their attack has been potent, netting four goals in three of their last six outings.

Hartlepool, meanwhile, is reeling from a 3-0 defeat at Boreham Wood and has struggled for goals. The club has failed to score in four of its last five matches across all competitions, including a staggering 7-0 loss at Wealdstone on March 31. Its only win in that stretch was a 3-2 victory at Morecambe.

Recent history favors the visitors. In the season’s earlier meeting on Sept. 6, Forest Green secured a 1-0 home win. A statistical projection for Saturday’s contest anticipates another tight affair, forecasting a 1-1 draw.

Forest Green’s campaign has been marked by offensive bursts but also inconsistency, with results ranging from a 4-0 win over Brackley Town to a 1-0 loss to Tamworth in recent weeks. Hartlepool’s form has been largely bleak since late March, with defensive frailties a major concern.

The result could have implications for end-of-season positioning, though both clubs have work to do to enter the promotion conversation. For Hartlepool manager Kevin Phillips, the match represents a critical opportunity to steady his squad before a quick turnaround against Southend United on Tuesday.

Forest Green will aim to capitalize on Hartlepool’s fragile confidence and build momentum ahead of their own next fixture against Morecambe on April 25.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. local at Victoria Park.