League-position context
Hartlepool rank17th
Port Vale rank5th
Hartlepool points54
Port Vale points78
Hartlepool: #17 · 54 pts · GD -20
30 pts off the top 2. 22 pts off the play-off line. 7 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Port Vale: #5 · 78 pts · GD +21
6 pts off the top 2. 3 pts above the play-off edge. 31 pts clear of the relegation zone.
24-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.