Pools tips for weekend of March 22-23

Ten draws: Hull v West Bromwich, Blackburn v Leicester, Doncaster v Sheffield Wednesday, Gillingham v Crewe, Oldham v Crawley, Peterborough v Rotherham, Sheffield United v Wolves, Stevenage v MK Dons, Inverness v Partick, St Johnstone v Hibernian.

Best draws: Blackburn v Leicester, Oldham v Crawley, Peterborough v Rotherham, Sheffield United v Wolves, Inverness v Partick.

Best weekend away bets: Liverpool, Bournemouth, Burnley, Preston, Leyton Orient, Rochdale.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Newcastle, Blackpool, Brighton, Wigan, Brentford, Notts County, Morecambe, Aberdeen, Celtic.


Pick of the draws: Championship leaders Leicester have virtually booked their place in the Premier League next season but they may not have things all their own way at Blackburn, for whom the highly regarded Jordan Rhodes scored a hat-trick in a 4-2 win at Huddersfield last Saturday. Blackburn still have hopes of a play-off place and will be anxious not to lose three in a row at Ewood Park. Crawley have made considerable strides in League One under John Gregory's managership. They had a morale-boosting victory over Wolves in midweek and seem nailed on for at least a point at Oldham. Rotherham's best results have come away from home, so a trip to Peterborough, who are only one place lower, shouldn't faze them. Nigel Clough's Sheffield United have won 10 of their last 11 in the league as well as reaching the FA Cup semi-finals. They play leaders Wolves, who surprisingly lost to Crawley and could also be denied victory at Bramall Lane. In the Scottish Premiership, Inverness may have a hangover after their penalty shoot-out defeat by Aberdeen in the League Cup final last Sunday. Partick's hopes of escaping relegation will be improved by a point here.

Away days: Liverpool, second in the Premier League and bursting with confidence and desire after their 3-0 triumph at Manchester United, cannot be ignored at Cardiff, who are favourites to be relegated. Bournemouth, a creditable mid-table in the Championship, must be fancied at Barnsley, who are bottom and looking increasingly desperate. Burnley could almost seal automatic promotion to the Premier League by beating Charlton, who are struggling to stay up. I'm taking League One promotion contenders Preston to prevail at Swindon, who are fading, and third-placed Leyton Orient to revive their promotion challenge when they visit Walsall. Rochdale are the deserved new leaders of League Two and strongly recommended at Wycombe.

Homes sweet homes: Blackpool have suffered a dreadful run in the Championship but I've a feeling their fortunes will take a turn for the better against erratic Huddersfield. Brighton's recent form has made them favourites for a play-off place and I fancy they will improve their position when they host Ipswich. Carlisle are being sucked into the League One relegation zone and their plight could be even worse after Saturday when they visit bottom club Notts County. This is a must-win match for County and I believe they will gain maximum points.


Pools info: Oxford v Hartlepool (No 39 on the coupon) and Hearts v Dundee United (No 46) are being played on Friday and are therefore void.