It is here, Hartlepool vs Torquay United. The chaos and tragedy of the 2020-2021 season is almost behind us, with just one important game remaining for English domestic football: determining the final team to be promoted to the Football League for the 2021-2022 season. This is the Relegation Nation Promotion Playoff Finals Preview.
Hartlepool and Torquay United face off at the Conference Premier Finals on Sunday, June 20th at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol. For both teams and fans it will be a bittersweet experience. The winner gets promoted to League Two and feel the heady rush of success, yet becoming what likely will be one of the bookies’ favorites to be relegated straight back down next season. Meanwhile the loser will feel gutted, but will look forward to being one of next year’s favorites to win the Conference Premier League.
Torquay is the marginal favorite. Both teams lost momentum at the end of the season.
- HOW HARTLEPOOL GOT HERE:
4th in the Conference Premier League with a 22-10-10 record, 76 pts with a +23 GD - Lost 3 of their final 5 games.
- Defeated Stockport 1-0 in the playoff first round.
HOW TORQUAY GOT HERE:
- 2nd in the Conference Premier League with a 23-11-8 record, 80 pts with a +29 GD
- Ended the season on a 14 match unbeaten string, although the final four contests ended in draws. Those final match draws made Torquay miss taking first place in the Conference Premier League, and miss out on hitting the lone automatic promotion slot.
- Defeated Notts County 4-2 in the playoff first round.
In head up contests the visiting team has walked away with honors each time. Torquay United thrashed Hartlepool 0-5 in October, while in March Hartlepool came away with a slim 0-1 win.
PREDICTION:
Hartlepool 1 Torquay 2
#Hartlepool
#Torquay
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