Scunthorpe United vs Hartlepool United: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 26 September 2026

Scunthorpe United and Hartlepool United meet at the Attis Arena on Saturday in a National League fixture carrying considerably more importance than might normally be expected in September.

Scunthorpe begin the weekend 22nd with seven points from nine matches, having lost six times already, while Hartlepool sit 19th with nine points after an equally difficult opening period. Both sides have a minus-four goal difference.

The visitors also arrive in North Lincolnshire amid managerial upheaval. Lee Clark resigned immediately after last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat by Worthing, leaving Adam Clayton and Gary Liddle in interim charge for Saturday’s game.

With Scunthorpe having lost their last two and Hartlepool their last three league matches, this already resembles an early-season relegation six-pointer.

Match Details

Competition: Enterprise National League

Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026

Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Venue: Attis Arena

Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire

Matchday: 10

Scunthorpe’s official website confirms the Saturday afternoon fixture at the Attis Arena.

Match Preview

Few would have expected Scunthorpe to be occupying a relegation position at this stage.

Andy Butler’s side finished fifth in the National League last season and reached the play-off semi-finals, having only returned to the fifth tier the previous year. Twelve months later, their immediate priority has changed from challenging for promotion to stopping an alarming early-season slide.

The Iron have taken seven points from nine games, scoring 11 and conceding 15. Alfie Beestin, James Gale and Tyrell Sellars-Fleming currently share the club’s league scoring lead with only two each.

Hartlepool’s numbers are different but hardly more encouraging.

Pools have nine points from nine matches, with three victories and six defeats. They have scored only seven league goals, fewer than Scunthorpe, while conceding 11.

The immediate challenge for Clayton and Liddle is therefore obvious: restore confidence to a side that has lost three consecutive league matches and has just seen its head coach resign.

There may be a short-term reaction to that change, but Hartlepool also have significant injury problems.

That makes this a difficult contest to predict despite Scunthorpe holding home advantage.

Scunthorpe United Analysis

The Iron’s most recent game produced a damaging 1-0 defeat away to newly promoted Hornchurch.

Butler altered his formation and made two changes, with Alfie Beestin replacing the injured Joe Rowley and James Gale coming into the side for Luke Brennan.

Scunthorpe eventually increased the pressure after falling behind but struggled to turn territorial possession into clear opportunities. Brennan came closest to an equaliser after coming from the bench, only to be denied by the goalkeeper.

That defeat followed a 2-1 home loss against league leaders Boreham Wood.

There were at least encouraging elements in that performance. Scunthorpe recorded 11 attempts, four on target, and Sellars-Fleming headed their equaliser from a corner before Boreham Wood found the winner.

The problem has been sustaining those competitive spells across entire matches.

Set pieces remain important

Scunthorpe’s dead-ball threat is one area Hartlepool must take seriously.

Against Boreham Wood, the Iron turned three of their four corners into attempts and scored from one through Sellars-Fleming.

The same statistical review recorded Scunthorpe winning 20 of 37 aerial duels.

Against a Hartlepool side missing several defenders, attacking corners and wide free-kicks could therefore become one of Butler’s clearest routes to goal.

Scunthorpe need more from open play

The bigger issue is creativity.

Eleven goals from nine matches is not disastrous, but no individual has established himself as a reliable scorer.

Danny Whitehall provides experience through the middle, Gale offers physical presence, while Sellars-Fleming can attack from wider or advanced positions.

Kyle Hurst and Brennan give Butler more direct running.

But Scunthorpe have too often required either transitions or set pieces to create their clearest opportunities.

Jacob Butterfield’s ability to dictate possession from midfield therefore becomes particularly important against a Hartlepool side likely to protect central areas.

Hartlepool United Analysis

Hartlepool’s week has been dominated by events away from the pitch.

Their 3-1 defeat by Worthing proved to be Clark’s final match in charge.

Worthing led 2-0 before Will Harris gave Pools hope with just over ten minutes remaining, only for José Márquez to score a third during stoppage time.

The result extended Hartlepool’s league losing sequence.

They had already been beaten 2-0 at Kidderminster and 2-1 by Altrincham, with Jack Hunter sent off in the latter fixture.

Their last league victory came on 5 September when Chris Popov scored the only goal against Woking.

Clayton and Liddle therefore inherit a side short on both confidence and attacking output.

Hartlepool’s finishing problem

Before the Kidderminster fixture, Clark publicly challenged his players to become more clinical.

He felt their 1-0 victory over Woking should have been significantly more comfortable given the opportunities created.

That concern remains relevant.

Seven league goals from nine matches means Hartlepool are averaging below one per game.

Will Harris has nevertheless been increasingly involved around the penalty area and scored against Worthing, while Jack Nolan has threatened from distance and Brooklyn Ilunga provides energy from the flank.

Chris Popov also gives the interim coaches a more direct attacking alternative.

Change of manager

The tactical question is how much Clayton and Liddle alter immediately.

With only a few training sessions available, a complete structural transformation would be unrealistic.

A more likely scenario is simplification: improved defensive distances, greater intensity without possession and quicker forward passing.

Hartlepool’s official announcement emphasised supporting the interim pair while the club conducts its search for a permanent head coach.

The new-manager effect may create an emotional lift, but underlying attacking problems remain.

Recent Form

Scunthorpe United

Last five league matches: L-L-W-L-L

Their most recent two defeats were:

• Hornchurch 1-0 Scunthorpe
• Scunthorpe 1-2 Boreham Wood

The victory during that sequence came away against Sutton United, with Kyle Hurst and Sellars-Fleming scoring.

Scunthorpe have therefore demonstrated that their attacking ceiling is higher than recent results suggest, but consistency remains the major issue.

Hartlepool United

Hartlepool’s latest league sequence includes:

• Hartlepool 1-3 Worthing
• Altrincham 2-1 Hartlepool
• Kidderminster 2-0 Hartlepool
• Hartlepool 1-0 Woking
• Halifax 1-0 Hartlepool

That means Pools have scored just two goals across their last five league fixtures.

Their defensive record has not been disastrous in isolation, but the lack of scoring leaves virtually no margin for error.

Head-to-Head

Recent meetings between these clubs have generally been tight.

Last season’s fixture at the Attis Arena finished 0-0 in April.

Scunthorpe won the reverse meeting 2-1 at Hartlepool on Boxing Day 2025.

The previous league meetings before that produced:

• Scunthorpe 1-1 Hartlepool – April 2022
• Hartlepool 0-0 Scunthorpe – December 2021
• Hartlepool 0-0 Scunthorpe – February 2014.

Four of those five meetings therefore produced two goals or fewer, while three ended 0-0.

The broader recent head-to-head record is perfectly balanced at three wins each and four draws across the last 10 encounters.

There is little historical evidence suggesting either side consistently dominates this fixture.

Tactical Analysis

Scunthorpe targeting Hartlepool’s altered defence

Hartlepool’s defensive selection is likely to change again.

Liam Gibson suffered a hamstring injury against Worthing and has been ruled out. Max Kouogun remains unavailable, while goalkeeper Max Merrick is also still sidelined.

That should encourage Scunthorpe to attack the penalty area more directly.

Whitehall and Gale can create physical contests, while Sellars-Fleming can attack loose balls and back-post deliveries.

Rather than overcomplicating their build-up, the Iron may look to establish territory, win corners and repeatedly test an unfamiliar defensive unit.

Hartlepool exploiting Scunthorpe’s wide areas

Scunthorpe have conceded 15 league goals.

One potential vulnerability appears when their wing-backs or wider players advance.

Ilunga has been one of Hartlepool’s more progressive wide threats and produced dangerous deliveries during the defeat at Altrincham, including the cross from which Jamie Miley headed the equaliser.

If Hartlepool can release Ilunga quickly following turnovers, Scunthorpe’s outside defenders may be forced into uncomfortable recovery runs.

Butterfield and the midfield battle

Jacob Butterfield provides Scunthorpe with an experienced passer capable of controlling the tempo.

Hartlepool cannot allow him to receive repeatedly without pressure.

Miley, Harris and Nathan Sheron are energetic enough to make central midfield competitive, but Pools must decide whether to press Butterfield aggressively or protect the space behind their midfield.

That balance will matter.

If Hartlepool press too aggressively, Scunthorpe can bypass the first line and feed Sellars-Fleming or Hurst.

If they remain too passive, Butterfield may be able to dictate the game from deep.

Second balls

This match could contain considerably more direct football than prolonged possession sequences.

Both sides are under pressure, neither is currently overflowing with confidence, and the safest early approach may involve territorial play rather than risk-taking in defensive areas.

Winning second balls around Whitehall at one end and Hartlepool’s forwards at the other could consequently decide which side spends longer in attacking territory.

Key Tactical Battles

Danny Whitehall vs Hartlepool’s centre-backs

Hartlepool are missing Gibson and Kouogun. Scunthorpe should test the replacement structure physically.

Jacob Butterfield vs Jamie Miley and Nathan Sheron

If Butterfield controls central possession, Scunthorpe should create enough territory to pressure the visitors.

Tyrell Sellars-Fleming vs Hartlepool’s full-back areas

Sellars-Fleming has already demonstrated set-piece and aerial threat and is joint-top of Scunthorpe’s scoring chart.

Brooklyn Ilunga vs Scunthorpe’s right side

Ilunga’s crossing could provide Hartlepool with one of their best open-play routes to goal.

Injuries and Suspensions

Scunthorpe United

Joe Rowley – doubt

Rowley was described as 50-50 before the Hornchurch match but ultimately missed the entire squad with a knock. No subsequent official update has confirmed that he is fully fit, so his availability remains uncertain.

Callum Howe – out

Howe suffered a knee injury earlier in the season and was expected to be sidelined for a period of time.

Jordan Richards

Richards had previously been unavailable through injury. There has not been sufficient recent official information to confidently project him into Saturday’s starting XI.

Hartlepool United

Hartlepool’s official pre-match update provides a much clearer picture.

Out

• Liam Gibson – hamstring injury suffered against Worthing
• Owen Hampson – recurrence of a thigh injury
• Corey McKeown – still unavailable
• Max Merrick – still unavailable
• Max Kouogun – still unavailable.

Returning from suspension

• Jack Hunter
• Neo Eccleston.

Possible return

• Luke Charman – in contention for the matchday squad after missing the opening nine league fixtures through injury.

The return of Hunter is especially useful because Gibson’s injury leaves Hartlepool needing to reshape their defence.

Predicted Line-ups

Neither team has confirmed its starting XI.

Scunthorpe United predicted XI

Scunthorpe predicted XI (3-4-2-1):

Campbell; Evans, Ashbee, Denton; Starbuck, Beestin, Butterfield, Hurst; Sellars-Fleming, Gale; Whitehall.

Butler could restore Brennan if he wants greater natural width, while Reagan Ogle is another defensive option.

Rowley’s fitness is the major uncertainty.

Hartlepool United predicted XI

Hartlepool predicted XI (4-2-3-1):

Fisher; Benn, Hunter, McNally, Ilunga; Miley, Sheron; Nolan, Harris, Deeming; Popov.

Cam John is also strongly in contention defensively, while Jordan Hugill and Luke Charman provide alternatives further forward.

The biggest question is whether the interim coaches immediately restore Hunter after suspension or retain John following his start against Worthing.

Key Players to Watch

Tyrell Sellars-Fleming – Scunthorpe

Sellars-Fleming has two league goals and scored Scunthorpe’s equaliser against Boreham Wood with a back-post header from a corner.

His pace, movement and ability to attack deliveries make him an important outlet against Hartlepool’s depleted defence.

Jacob Butterfield – Scunthorpe

The experienced midfielder can determine the rhythm of the match.

Against an opponent likely to prioritise organisation following a change of manager, Butterfield’s passing range could help Scunthorpe shift Hartlepool’s defensive block and create crossing opportunities.

Danny Whitehall – Scunthorpe

Whitehall gives the Iron a physical centre-forward presence.

Hartlepool’s central defensive absences increase the importance of his ability to secure possession and attack deliveries.

Will Harris – Hartlepool

Harris scored against Worthing and has frequently been involved in Hartlepool’s better attacking sequences.

His late runs could be important if Scunthorpe focus excessively on Pools’ central striker.

Jamie Miley – Hartlepool

Miley scored the equaliser against Altrincham and provides energy in central areas.

He will have an important defensive job against Butterfield while also trying to support Hartlepool’s attacks.

Brooklyn Ilunga – Hartlepool

Ilunga offers directness and crossing quality.

With Pools struggling for goals, his ability to create opportunities from wide positions could be essential.

Key Statistics

• Scunthorpe are 22nd, with seven points from nine matches.
• Hartlepool are 19th, with nine points from nine matches.
• Both clubs have already lost six league games.
• Scunthorpe have scored 11 and conceded 15.
• Hartlepool have scored only seven and conceded 11.
• Hartlepool have lost their last three league matches.
• Pools have scored only two goals in their last five league fixtures.
• Scunthorpe have lost their last two matches.
• Three players share Scunthorpe’s league scoring lead with only two goals apiece.
• Four of the previous five competitive meetings between the clubs have produced under 2.5 goals.
• Three of those five finished 0-0.

Match Importance

This is already an important match for both sides.

Scunthorpe have experienced the National League play-offs recently enough to understand how dramatically their early-season position has deteriorated.

Another defeat could leave Butler’s team embedded in the relegation zone.

Hartlepool enter with even more immediate uncertainty.

Their head coach has resigned, they have lost three straight league fixtures and their next match arrives only three days later against Harrogate Town.

A victory at Scunthorpe could completely alter the mood around Pools.

A fourth consecutive defeat would deepen the pressure on whoever inherits the job permanently.

That should produce an intense rather than expansive contest.

Prediction

There is little evidence supporting a high-confidence selection in the full-time market.

Scunthorpe have home advantage and Hartlepool arrive with injuries, poor form and managerial disruption.

But the Iron’s own record is scarcely stronger.

They have lost six of nine league matches and were beaten by newly promoted Hornchurch last weekend without scoring.

The historical match-up also points towards a tight contest.

The previous meeting at the Attis Arena finished 0-0, four of the last five competitive encounters have stayed under 2.5 goals and Hartlepool’s attacking output this season is among the biggest arguments against expecting an open game.

Hartlepool could receive a short-term lift following Clark’s departure, particularly with Hunter and Eccleston returning from suspension.

Yet losing Gibson while Kouogun remains sidelined gives Scunthorpe a clear opportunity to create chances through direct attacks and set pieces.

The Iron are therefore marginally better placed, but not strongly enough to justify expecting a comfortable home win.

Main Predictions

Full-Time Prediction: Scunthorpe United

Both Teams to Score: No

Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Under 2.5

Safer Goals Angle: Under 3.5 Goals

Double Chance: Scunthorpe or Draw (1X)

Half-Time Prediction: Draw

Correct Score Prediction: Scunthorpe United 1-0 Hartlepool United

Prediction Confidence: Moderate

Score Prediction

Scunthorpe United 1-0 Hartlepool United

This has the characteristics of a low-margin National League match.

Neither team enters with attacking confidence. Hartlepool have scored only seven league goals all season and only twice across their last five league matches, while Scunthorpe’s leading scorers have only two apiece.

The difference could come from dead balls.

Scunthorpe have already shown they can create meaningful chances from corners, and Hartlepool travel with Gibson, Kouogun and several other players unavailable.

That gives Whitehall, Gale, Evans and Sellars-Fleming opportunities to attack an altered defensive structure.

Pools should become more competitive under Clayton and Liddle and may initially prioritise avoiding the defensive mistakes that damaged them against Worthing.

That makes a goalless first half perfectly plausible.

As the match opens later, Scunthorpe’s home advantage and slightly broader attacking options may eventually create the decisive opportunity.

Preferred score: Scunthorpe United 1-0 Hartlepool United.

Hot Stat

Three of the previous five competitive meetings between Scunthorpe and Hartlepool have finished 0-0, with four of those five producing fewer than three goals.