Wednesday, 1 January 2025

Pools tips for weekend of January 4-5

Ten draws: Aston Villa v Leicester, Crystal Palace v Chelsea, Blackburn v Burnley, Stoke v Plymouth, Watford v Sheffield United, Charlton v Reading, Lincoln v Stevenage, Bradford City v Grimsby, Cheltenham v Walsall, MK Dons v Salford.

Best draws: Aston Villa v Leicester, Crystal Palace v Chelsea, Blackburn v Burnley, Watford v Sheffield United, Charlton v Reading.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Arsenal, Brentford, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Dundee. 

Ten homes: Bournemouth, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sunderland, Barnsley, Cambridge, Leyton Orient, Wrexham, Colchester, Doncaster.

Pick of the draws: Relegation-threatened Leicester were unlucky to lose 2-0 at home to Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend and will feel they have a chance at Aston Villa, who are not living up to their early-season promise. Chelsea's form has dipped recently with defeats by Fulham (2-1, home) and Ipswich (2-0, away), whereas their lowly hosts, Crystal Palace, are now playing better. There's no love lost between Blackburn and Burnley in the Championship. These bitter Lancashire rivals are in the vanguard for promotion to the top flight and I think they will cancel each other out. Consecutive defeats against Cardiff (home) and Queens Park Rangers (away) have halted Watford's progress and they will be determined to make amends against high-flying Sheffield United, who also flopped over Christmas. Charlton v Reading is a clash between on-form League One sides with promotion aspirations and possibly the most likely three-pointer on the coupon.

Away days: Second-placed Arsenal will not let up in their pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool and maximum points at Brighton on Saturday should just about keep them in contention. Brentford have a great opportunity to improve their dismal away record when they visit rock-bottom Southampton. It's hard to back against fast-climbing Newcastle at the moment and they must be confident going to Tottenham, who are moving in the opposite direction. Leeds, the Championship leaders, will surely be too strong for struggling Hull. Birmingham, top of League One, paid the price for fielding a weakened team in their home goalless draw with Blackpool last Sunday. I can't see the manager making the same mistake at Wigan, where the Midlanders ought to collect three points. Dundee, who won 2-1 at St Mirren in their previous away game in the Scottish Premiership, will fancy themselves at St Johnstone, who are bottom.

Homes sweet homes: Although Cambridge are in the League One relegation zone, they are in better shape than their visitors Bristol Rovers, who are just outside it. Colchester's revival in League Two has not gone unnoticed and I expect their improvement to continue against Accrington, who are desperately trying to avoid the drop. I'm also tipping Doncaster to overcome fellow promotion contenders Port Vale, who have suddenly hit the wall. 

Pools info: Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Coventry v Millwall, Colchester v Doncaster and MK Dons v Crewe. 







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