Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Feb 21-22

Ten draws: Everton v Leicester, Hull v Queens Park Rangers, Brighton v Birmingham, Huddersfield v Cardiff, Watford v Norwich, Leyton Orient v Oldham, Rochdale v Chesterfield, Northampton v York, Stevenage v Southend, Tranmere v Shrewsbury.

Best draws: Everton v Leicester, Brighton v Birmingham, Watford v Norwich, Northampton v York, Stevenage v Southend.

Best weekend away bets: Arsenal, West Bromwich, Bristol City, Gillingham, Mansfield, Dundee.

Best weekend home bets: Aston Villa, Manchester City, Tottenham, Blackburn, Millwall, Wolves, Sheffield United, Swindon, Carlisle, Newport.


Pick of the draws: Although Leicester, bottom of the Premier League, have lost their last three matches, they could have got something out of all of them. They are not playing as badly as their form suggests and it wouldn't surprise me if they held Everton, who have only three wins to their credit at Goodison Park and are having an indifferent season. Championship strugglers Brighton have already drawn six home games. I've a feeling that will become seven when they face Birmingham on Saturday. Birmingham are also used to stalemates, having drawn seven of their away fixtures. Watford v Norwich is one of the more attractive fixtures of the weekend. Both sides have boosted their promotion challenge with good results recently and it is hard to pick a winner. York, two points clear of the relegation zone in League Two, played superbly to beat fellow strugglers Tranmere 2-0 last Saturday and can come away from Northampton with a point. Stevenage returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Hartlepool and will probably give as good as they get against Southend, who are two points off an automatic promotion place.

Away days: Arsenal have been fragile away from the Emirates but they have a good chance to rectify that at Crystal Palace, who seem more vulnerable at Selhurst Park. West Bromwich Albion have made great strides under Tony Pulis and are strongly recommended against Sunderland, who are reeling from their fifth round FA Cup exit at the hands of League One Bradford City and in danger of slipping into the Premier League relegation zone. Bristol City, top of League One, look a banker at Colchester, whose home defeats have gone into double figures, and it is impossible to ignore on-form Gillingham's claims at bottom club Yeovil. Mansfield's chances of avoiding relegation from League Two improved when they beat high-flying Luton in midweek and another victory, this time at Oxford, shouldn't be beyond them. Dundee have moved into the top half of the Scottish Premiership and ought to account for Motherwell, who are having a terrible season.

Homes sweet homes: Aston Villa are already feeling the benefit of a change of manager and are more upbeat about avoiding relegation from the Premier League. I fancy them to get three points against inconsistent Stoke, whose confidence may have been damaged by a surprising FA Cup exit at Blackburn. Millwall, third from bottom in the Championship, won't go down without a fight and I believe they will record a rare home win against Fulham, who appear to have taken two steps back after a giant leap forward. League Two promotion challengers Wycombe have lost their way recently. They make the long journey to lowly Carlisle, who are battling hard to stay in the Football League and are worth a punt.