Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 22-23

Ten draws: Swansea v Stoke, Huddersfield v Fulham, Nottingham Forest v Reading, Sheffield Wednesday v Derby, Bury v Northampton, Oldham v Rochdale, Colchester v Plymouth, Newport v Accrington, Stevenage v Mansfield, Braintree v Barrow.

Best draws: Swansea v Stoke, Huddersfield v Fulham, Bury v Northampton, Colchester v Plymouth, Stevenage v Mansfield.

Best weekend away bets: Everton, Ipswich, Charlton, Southend, Carlisle, Aldershot.

Best weekend home bets: Bournemouth, Hull, Brentford, Bristol City, Wolves, Blackpool, Exeter, Hartlepool, Bromley, Dover.


Pick of the draws: Swansea's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League have faded and I cannot see them getting more than a point from the visit of Stoke, who regained their faltering confidence by beating Hull 3-1 at home last Saturday. Fulham have recently been the most impressive of all the teams occupying play-off positions in the Championship and a draw is not beyond them at Huddersfield, who lie third. League One strugglers Bury gained a creditable point in a goalless draw at Bolton in midweek but their home record leaves much to be desired (11 defeats) and they may have to settle for a point against Justin Edinburgh's Northampton. Colchester are still in League Two play-off contention and were unlucky not to beat promoted Doncaster at home on Good Friday. They face Plymouth, another promoted club, this weekend and look good for at least a share of the spoils. Play-off hopefuls Stevenage have drawn only once at home this season but I believe they'll add to that tally against Mansfield in what seems a finely balanced contest.

Away days: Everton are fighting hard for a top-five place in the Premier League and are fancied to come away from West Ham with three points. The Hammers don't inspire much confidence these days. Mick McCarthy's Ipswich had a profitable Easter with two wins out of two, including a 3-1 defeat of Championship promotion favourites Newcastle on Monday. I think they'll make it three victories in a row at Rotherham, who are doomed to relegation. Charlton are eager to finish an indifferent League One season on a high and are hotly fancied to prevail at relegated Chesterfield. Southend can enhance their play-off aspirations by winning at lowly Shrewsbury and Carlisle, in League Two, are worth a punt at Crawley, who are finishing the season on a downer. Aldershot, who are National League play-off contenders, will surely be too strong for North Ferriby, who are destined to go down.

Homes sweet homes: Hull's home form could be their salvation as they try to stay in the Premier League and I'm backing them to defeat Watford, who are safe in mid-table but don't travel too well. Bristol City have climbed four points clear of the Championship drop zone and can move further away from trouble by beating Barnsley. Although Hartlepool are in grave danger of dropping out of the Football League, they will be relieved to be facing Barnet, who have eight points more but are in even worse form. I expect a bet on a home victory will be worthwhile.