Pools tips for this weekend May 5-6

Ten draws: Bournemouth v Preston, Oldham v Carlisle, Tranmere v Scunthorpe, Dagenham & Redbridge v Bristol Rovers, Hereford v Torquay, Hamilton v Partick, Morton v Raith, Berwick v Stranraer, Montrose v Clyde, Atletico Madrid v Malaga.


Best draws: Tranmere v Scunthorpe, Dagenham & Redbridge v Bristol Rovers, Hereford v Torquay, Berwick v Stranraer, Montrose v Clyde.


Five aways: Sheffield United, Crawley, Barnet, Oxford, Ross.


Nine homes: Arsenal, Manchester United, Charlton, Leyton Orient, Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth, Southend, Dundee, Albion.


Pick of the draws: Tranmere tend to draw at home (10 times this season); Scunthorpe tend to draw away (11). As only four points separate them in League One, there is good reason to think the spoils will be shared. Bristol Rovers have started scoring heavily in League Two - seven against Burton, five against Accrington - but Dagenham & Redbridge will probably offer a sterner test on their own ground. Hereford must win to stay in the Football League; their opponents, Torquay, may need to win to gain automatic promotion. I don't think either will be successful. Berwick's indifferent home form in the Scottish third division will encourage Stranraer while Montrose and Clyde, who both find wins elusive, play each other.


Away days: Promotion-seeking Sheffield United are a confident selection at Exeter, who were relegated from League One last weekend. Victory at mid-table Accrington will guarantee Crawley promotion from League Two. Despite their shock home defeat by Hereford last weekend I believe they will go up for the second season in a row. Barnet will be eager to follow up last weekend's resounding success against AFC Wimbledon and only maximum points at Burton will guarantee them safety. It's win or bust for Oxford as they strive for a play-off place and I cannot see Port Vale putting up sufficient resistance. Ross, the runaway Scottish first division champions, will surely make hay against Queen of the South, who have been relegated. 


Homes sweet homes: Leyton Orient have faded badly in League One but they will be keen to end the season on a winning note against bottom club Rochdale. In League Two, I'm taking lowly Plymouth to surprise Cheltenham, who are assured of a play-off place but have lost their last five away matches. Second-placed Dundee's home form in the Scottish first division has been unreliable but they may raise their game against Livingston, who travel well. In the Scottish second division, Albion must beat bottom club Stirling to have any chance of avoiding the relegation play-offs. I'm backing them to do it.