Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 8-9

Ten draws: Everton v Leicester, Burton v Aston Villa, Norwich v Reading, Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle, Coventry v Peterborough, Scunthorpe v Bolton, Accrington v Crewe, Colchester v Stevenage, Morecambe v Hartlepool, Partick v Motherwell.

Best draws: Everton v Leicester, Burton v Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle, Scunthorpe v Bolton, Accrington v Crewe.

Best weekend away bets: Wolves, Millwall, Sheffield United, Luton, Plymouth, Lincoln.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Nottingham Forest, Blackpool, Cambridge, Carlisle, Exeter, Wycombe, St Mirren.


Pick of the draws: That's six wins out of six for Leicester since Craig Shakespeare was appointed interim manager. The threat of relegation from the Premier League has almost disappeared and they are well capable of denting Everton's impressive home record. Aston Villa are really motoring in the Championship under Steve Bruce's managership but their progress could be checked by Burton, who climbed away from the relegation zone by winning at Huddersfield last weekend. Sheffield Wednesday moved back into the play-off positions when they beat relegated Rotherham away in midweek. They will find promotion favourites Newcastle a much more difficult proposition but I'm backing Wednesday to match them at Hillsborough. Bolton are giving Sheffield United a run for their money at the top of League One but hosts Scunthorpe also have promotion in their sights and a draw seems the likeliest result. Accrington continue to upset the form book in League Two. Their 1-0 victory at Plymouth, who lie second, was one of the surprises of last weekend but Crewe, their visitors, have won three consecutive away matches and they can get something here.

Away days: Wolves, who have chalked up five wins in a row in the Championship, are fancied to make it six at Bristol City, whose relegation fears increased when they crashed 5-0 at Preston in midweek. League One Millwall appear to have recovered from their blip and two successive victories have put them right back in the promotion frame. They won away against Shrewsbury in midweek and can do the same at Gillingham, who are in danger of dropping down to League Two. Leaders Sheffield United are strongly recommended at mid-table Northampton, particularly as three more points will assure them of promotion. Luton returned to winning ways in League Two when they defeated Blackpool 1-0 at home last Saturday and I believe they'll gain another three points when they visit Barnet, who have struggled recently. Second-placed Plymouth do better away than at home, which is why I think they'll have too much for Crawley, who are ending the season with a whimper. National League leaders Lincoln have Tranmere breathing down their necks, so they'll be eager to put Eastleigh to the sword.

Homes sweet homes: Relegation-threatened Middlesbrough gained a point in a goalless Premier League draw at Swansea last Sunday but draws are not much use to them now. I've a hunch they will pull something out of the bag against Burnley, whose away record is embarrassing. Although Blackburn are in dire danger of dropping into League One, they have a puncher's chance against Barnsley, who have little to play for except pride. Lowly Nottingham Forest should be more competitive now that Mark Warburton has been appointed manager, so don't be surprised if they upset high-flying Huddersfield. St Mirren seemed doomed to relegation from the Scottish Championship a few weeks ago but they are flying now and well worth a punt against Dumbarton.