Latics welcome the newly promoted Hartlepool United to Boundary Park as they continue their Sky Bet League Two campaign (3pm KO).
Keith Curle’s side will be looking to bounce back from a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of Leyton Orient last time out.
Form Guide
Hartlepool United have enjoyed an impressive start on their return to the Football League.
With four wins from their opening seven league games, Pool find themselves in fifth place, just one point away from an automatic promotion place.
They did fall to a 1-0 defeat to Sutton United last time out, so they will be hoping to make a return to winning ways at Oldham to continue their strong start to the season.
Pools Last Six:
- Sutton United 1-0 Hartlepool United
- Hartlepool United 1-0 Bristol Rovers
- Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Hartlepool United
- Carlisle United 3-3 Harlepool United (EFL Trophy – lost on pens)
- Hartlepool United 2-1 Carlisle United
- Hartlepool United 2-0 Walsall
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 68
Latics wins: 33
Hartlepool United wins: 22
Draws: 13
Scored - 116
Conceded - 96
Latics have won each of the last three meetings between the two clubs.
They haven’t met since March 2013, where Oldham triumphed 3-0 at Boundary Park in a League One fixture which was Lee Johnson's first game in charge of Latics.
First half goals from Robbie Simpson and Jean-Yves M’Voto got the hosts off to a great start before Jose Baxter wrapped it up in the second half.
You have to go back to boxing day 2011 for the last time Hartlepool United got the better of Oldham. An early goal from James Poole saw the visitors claim all three points at Boundary Park.
Watch Out For
Luke Molyneux has played in each of Hartlepool’s opening seven league games.
Starting his career on Wearside with Sunderland, Molyneux managed to make his way into the first team side six times before departing the club on loan.
His first loan move saw him go to fellow North East side Gateshead. He scored three times in 18 games in the first half of the 2018/19 season before returning to his parent club.
However, it was another loan move for Molyneux rather than a shot at the first team at the Stadium of Light.
He spent the second half of the season at Pools and his performances were enough to convince them to make the deal permanent following his release from Sunderland.
Molyneux was part of the side that secured Hartlepool’s promotion last season and he helped his side out by scoring his penalty in the shootout success against Torquay United.
So far this season, he has one goal to his name, but he will be hoping to contribute further with United’s two top scorers this season Tyler Burey and Gavan Holohan both likely to miss the game due to injury.
In The Dugout
Dave Challinor is the man in the dugout for the visitors.
The 45-year-old took the job in November 2019 and his first full season at Victoria Park ended in success as they overcame Bromley, Stockport County and Torquay United in the playoffs following their fourth placed finish.
He has also previously managed Colwyn Bay and AFC Fylde whilst as a player he represented Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County, Bury and Colwyn Bay.
Match Officials
The man in the middle for the game is Charles Breakspear.
His last fixture in charge of Latics arrived in September 2020 as we lost 3-0 away at Stevenage and he handed out zero red cards as well as two yellow cards.
He's taken charge of eight games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 27 yellow cards and two red cards.
Breakspear will be assisted by Hristo Karaivanov and Lisa Rashid, with Peter Gooch the Fourth Official.
Sky Bet Odds
Hartlepool United are 13/10 favourites to win their fifth game of the season whilst Latics are 19/10 to manage to bounce back from the 4-0 defeat at Brisbane Road.
23/10 is the price for the draw.
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How To Follow The Game
Live commentary is available on iFollow Latics with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown who will be talking you through the match.
The iFollow video match pass is available for overseas residents only. Please note there will be no match pass available for UK residents on iFollow now it is no longer taking place behind-closed-doors alongside the Saturday 3pm blackout enforced by the footballing governing bodies.
For more information, visit the iFollow Latics page.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC