Preview: Hartlepool United vs. Bromley - prediction, team news, lineups

Hartlepool United and Bromley face off at Victoria Park on Sunday afternoon in the quarter-finals of the National League playoffs.

The winner of the one-legged tie will take on Stockport County in next week's semi-finals, with the final set to take place at Ashton Gate on June 20.

Match preview

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Hartlepool lost three of their final five regular-season matches to finish fourth in the table, meaning that they have to come through this additional playoff round.

Bromley put together a six-game unbeaten streak to see out their campaign, meanwhile, creeping into the final playoff spot at the expense of Wrexham.

While Hartlepool may have finished seven points better off than Bromley over the course of a 42-game season, the two sides enter this contest on equal footing.

In fact, the visitors have momentum on their side thanks to a return of 14 points from the last 18 on offer, compared to nine points for United over the same period.

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Bromley's gamble to appoint Arsenal goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman as their manager at the end of March paid off, with the Ravens losing just one of their 13 matches since.

Dave Challinor has been at the Hartlepool helm throughout the campaign, and the 45-year-old is certainly no stranger to competing in the end-of-season playoffs.

Indeed, this will be his 10th playoff campaign as a player and manager. Challinor has missed out on promotion seven times and gone up twice on the previous nine occasions.

Bromley had the better of the regular-season fixtures between the sides, following up a goalless draw at Victoria Park with a 1-0 triumph in May's home match.

Michael Cheek was not on the scoresheet for Bromley in either of those games, but he leads the scoring charts in the National League this term with 23 goals in 43 games.

Team News

Hartlepool were without Luke Armstrong for their comfortable win against Weymouth last week because of illness.

However, the 13-goal striker is back in contention for Sunday's playoff quarter-final, with Challinor confirming that he has a clean bill of health.

That may see the home team revert back to the same lineup that started the previous match against Sutton United.

Bromley confirmed earlier this week that Liam Vincent has joined Portsmouth on a permanent deal, though the full-back has not featured since April anyway.

Woodman will also hope to have a fully-fit group to choose from, with Cheek certain to start, despite only scoring once in his last seven outings.

James Alabi, Liam Trotter and Harry Forster are among those pushing for recalls following the win over Notts County last week.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
James, Francis-Angol, Oates, Johnson, Sterry, Cass, Featherstone, Donaldson, Liddle, Holohan, Armstrong

Bromley possible starting lineup:
Mitchell, Williamson, Bingham, Fox, Bush, Raymond, Bridge, Kizzi, Arthurs, Cousins, Cheek

We say: Hartlepool United 2-1 Bromley

Bromley had the stronger end to the regular season and were unbeaten in their two meetings with Hartlepool.

However, United have won 13 of their last 15 home league games and, boosted by a small number of fans, we can see them prevailing on Sunday to set up a semi-final with Stockport.