Football
Forest Green Rovers vs Hartlepool Preview: Odds, Tips, and Prediction
Date: 06 September 2025 Kick-off (UK Time): 17:00 Venue: The New Lawn Forest Green Rovers welcome Hartlepool to The New Lawn Stadium on Saturday, 06 September 2025. First-placed Rovers will look to continue their form at the start of the season at home to fourth-placed Hartlepool in the National League. With so much riding on the tie this early in the campaign, there is plenty of value in this tie for soccer punters at some of the best football betting sites in the industry. Both these sides come into the encounter unbeaten in the National League and will want to keep that record going on Saturday afternoon. The home side is five points clear of the visitors and will want to send a message on home soil. Robbie Savage is at the helm for the Rovers and has had a huge impact this early on in the season.
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Forest Green Rovers' Jordan Moore-Taylor//Getty Images
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Home: 9/4 (3.25) – 48.8%
Draw: 5/2 (3.50) – 20.8%
Away: 23/20 (2.15) – 30.4%
Odds courtesy of Betway subject to change.
Head-to-Head Record
05/05/25 – Hartlepool 1-1 Forest Green
28/09/24 – Forest Green 1-0 Hartlepool
09/04/22 – Forest Green 1-1 Hartlepool
20/11/21 – Hartlepool 1-3 Forest Green
Forest Green Rovers Current Form WWWDW
Savage’s side has been in excellent form at the start of the 2025/2026 National League season. Rovers sit top of the table and are unbeaten in their previous five games of the season, winning four and drawing just once.
Jordan Moore-Taylor of Forest Green Rovers//Getty Images
Key Players to watch
- Jordan Moore Taylor: The experienced 31-year-old is a key player at the back for FGR. The captain also pops up with a goal every now and then from the defence and has already registered once in seven games.
- Kyle McAllister: The Scottish midfielder is a live-wire in midfield and has already contributed four goals and assists in seven appearances for Savage’s side.
- Thomas Andrew Knowles: The Englishman is in good form after his brace on Tuesday evening against Morecambe and will be eager to find the net again against Hartlepool in front of the home faithful.
Forest Green Rovers Team News
The home side has been in great nick, and head coach Savage has only been in the job for over three months now. An impressive 3-1 victory last time out against Morecambe saw them go two points clear at the top of the table.
Hartlepool Current Form
The visitors are also unbeaten at the start of the season, but have drawn back-to-back games. Simon Grayson’s side won the previous three, however, and are within touching distance of the summit.
Besart Topalloj of Hartlepool United//Getty Images
Key Players to watch
- Jamie Miley: The 21-year-old has featured in all six games for The Pools and has registered one assist in that time. Miley is an exciting midfielder with an eye for a pass.
- Alex Reid: The English forward has been in fine form at the start of the campaign for Grayson’s side. Reid has found the back of the net three times in six games.
- Jermaine Francis: The 23-year-old is a tricky winger. He has a good delivery on him from out wide and has one assist in six games for the visitors this season.
Hartlepool Team News
After a strong pre-season and start to the National League under new manager, Grayson, the visitors come into the tie unbeaten and in good form ahead of a difficult encounter with the log leaders.
Predicted Line-Ups
Forest Green Rovers (4-3-3):McNicholas, Pemberton, Kanu, Moore-Taylor, Kuemo, Mendy, Whitwell, McAllister, Haughton, Knowles, Mitchell
Hartlepool (4-2-3-1): Cartwright, Francis, McNally, Kouogun, John, Sheron, Daly, Miley, Topalloj, Reid, Johnson
Suggested Bets
Under 2.5 Goals: Three of the last four encounters between these two sides have had under 2.5 goals. (4/5 with Betway)
Both Teams to Score (Yes): Three of the previous five games saw both of these sides registering goals. (4/5 with Betway)
Value Bets
Understanding key betting rules can also help ensure clarity when navigating different markets and potential outcomes.
Thomas Andrew Knowles Anytime Goal Scorer: Following the striker's brace last time out, expect him to continue his form in front of goal against The Pools. (Forecast odds: 4/1. Odds available closer to kick-off with 10Bet)
Forest Green Rovers to Win and under 2.5 goals: Back the league leaders to continue their winning form, but expect a tight game on Saturday. (37/20 with Bet UK)
Prediction: Forest Green Rovers to Win
The home side has been in excellent form this season but so has the visitors which makes it a difficult game to call. Savage’s side do have home advantage though and the mood inside the camp will be high after leading the pack seven games in. Back Rovers to win and extend their unbeaten streak in the league. New players can also benefit from a welcome bonus when placing value bets like these, giving them extra balance to work with.
Nigel Naicker brings a decade of sports writing expertise, covering football’s biggest leagues, including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, alongside cricket and UFC. A dedicated storyteller since 2014, he now joins the SportsBoom team, eager to deliver in-depth and engaging narratives across multiple sports.