Pools tips for weekend of April 13-14

Ten draws: Newcastle v Sunderland, Peterborough v Watford, Crawley v Coventry, Shrewsbury v Bournemouth, Dagenham & Redbridge v Oxford, Torquay v Barnet, Brechin v Arbroath, Elgin v Montrose, Stirling v Peterhead, Lincoln v Tamworth.

Best draws: Newcastle v Sunderland, Peterborough v Watford, Torquay v Barnet, Brechin v Arbroath, Stirling v Peterhead.

Five aways: Bolton, Hull, Walsall, Port Vale, Partick.

Nine homes: Aston Villa, Southampton, Blackpool, Notts County, Tranmere, Northampton, Wycombe, Morton, Raith.

Pick of the draws: Relegation-threatened Sunderland showed enough improvement in their Premier League defeat by Chelsea to suggest that they can take a point from their fierce rivals, Newcastle, who eased their own worries with a crucial, late victory over Fulham last Sunday. If lowly Peterborough can beat Championship leaders Cardiff twice, then they are capable of denying third-placed Watford. Despite still being in the bottom three, Peterborough's form is encouraging. Torquay and Barnet are in dire straits near the foot of League Two. Neither can afford to lose when they meet on Saturday and I don't think either will. Brechin have not drawn at home in the Scottish second division this season but I believe that will change against Arbroath, who are only five points behind them. Stirling's rise from the bottom of the Scottish third division has been remarkable and I'm tipping them to hold free-scoring Peterhead.

Away days: Surprisingly, Bolton have won only three times on the road in the Championship this season but I expect them to add to that tally when they visit Bristol City, whose hopes of avoiding relegation are fast fading. High-flying Hull should be backed at Ipswich, who have averaged less than a goal a game. Walsall's attempts to reach the League One play-offs shouldn't be derailed at struggling Scunthorpe and I'm taking League Two promotion contenders Port Vale to collect maximum points at Rochdale, who are vulnerable at home. Partick, who lead the Scottish first division, will surely prove too strong for basement club Airdrie. 

Homes sweet homes: Aston Villa have found new belief and purpose as they try to stay in the Premier League and should relish taking on Fulham, who have little to play for except pride. Southampton's ascent has been one of the features of the Premier League season. Reading and Chelsea have been their most recent victims and I don't expect West Ham to interfere with their progress. In the Championship, Blackpool were unlucky to go down to 10 men against in-form Nottingham Forest and even then were only denied three points by a late penalty. Have a punt on them improving their indifferent home record against Burnley, who stand seven places above them.