Pools tips for this weekend May 12-13

Ten draws: Everton v Newcastle, Sunderland v Manchester United, Espanyol v Sevilla, Real Vallecano v Granada, Catania v Udinese, Parma v Bologna, Nancy v St Etienne, Paris St Germain v Rennes, Beira Mar v Olhanense, Sporting Lisbon v Braga.

Best draws: Everton v Newcastle, Sunderland v Manchester United, Espanyol v Sevilla, Catania v Udinese, Parma v Bologna.

Five aways: Bolton, Liverpool, Barcelona, Osasuna, Inter Milan.

Nine homes: Chelsea, Manchester City, Norwich, Wigan, Malaga, Real Madrid, Chievo, Genoa, Nice.

Pick of the draws: Everton, as usual, are finishing strongly but they may struggle to overcome Newcastle, who are still trying for automatic Champions League qualification and have been the surprise packet of the season. At first glance, title-chasing Manchester United may look away bankers at Sunderland but Martin O'Neill and his players will be eager to end their campaign on a positive note by finishing in the top half of the table. Sevilla will want to avoid their fourth consecutive away defeat in the Spanish League and can get something at Espanyol, who were thumped by Barcelona last weekend. Mid-table Catania's draw at Roma last weekend was well-earned, so Udinese, third in the Italian League, won't have things all their own way. It is difficult to predict a winner between Parma (eighth) and Bologna (ninth).

Away days: Bolton need maximum points on Sunday if they are to have any chance of staying in the Premier League. I believe they will get them at Stoke, who are ending the season with a whimper. Note  that Stoke lost their final game of last season to Wigan, which enabled the Lancashire club to escape relegation. Liverpool, still licking their wounds after their defeat in the FA Cup final, will be doing all they can to finish above their Merseyside rivals, Everton, and are worth backing at Swansea. Barcelona, who visit mid-table Real Betis, cannot be ignored while Osasuna will surely be too good for bottom club Real Santander.  Inter Milan are finishing the Italian League season with a flourish and will be quietly fancying their chances of beating Lazio, who are one point and two places above them.

Homes sweet homes: Norwich were terrific in their thrilling 3-3 draw at Arsenal last Saturday and should relish the visit of Aston Villa, who are playing as though they cannot wait for the season to end. Wigan are on a high after avoiding relegation from the Premier League for the third consecutive year and will be confident of beating relegated Wolves. In the Italian League, Genoa are worth a punt against Palermo and in the French League I have a hunch that Nice will upset the better-placed Evian TG.

Pools tips for this weekend May 5-6

Ten draws: Bournemouth v Preston, Oldham v Carlisle, Tranmere v Scunthorpe, Dagenham & Redbridge v Bristol Rovers, Hereford v Torquay, Hamilton v Partick, Morton v Raith, Berwick v Stranraer, Montrose v Clyde, Atletico Madrid v Malaga.


Best draws: Tranmere v Scunthorpe, Dagenham & Redbridge v Bristol Rovers, Hereford v Torquay, Berwick v Stranraer, Montrose v Clyde.


Five aways: Sheffield United, Crawley, Barnet, Oxford, Ross.


Nine homes: Arsenal, Manchester United, Charlton, Leyton Orient, Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth, Southend, Dundee, Albion.


Pick of the draws: Tranmere tend to draw at home (10 times this season); Scunthorpe tend to draw away (11). As only four points separate them in League One, there is good reason to think the spoils will be shared. Bristol Rovers have started scoring heavily in League Two - seven against Burton, five against Accrington - but Dagenham & Redbridge will probably offer a sterner test on their own ground. Hereford must win to stay in the Football League; their opponents, Torquay, may need to win to gain automatic promotion. I don't think either will be successful. Berwick's indifferent home form in the Scottish third division will encourage Stranraer while Montrose and Clyde, who both find wins elusive, play each other.


Away days: Promotion-seeking Sheffield United are a confident selection at Exeter, who were relegated from League One last weekend. Victory at mid-table Accrington will guarantee Crawley promotion from League Two. Despite their shock home defeat by Hereford last weekend I believe they will go up for the second season in a row. Barnet will be eager to follow up last weekend's resounding success against AFC Wimbledon and only maximum points at Burton will guarantee them safety. It's win or bust for Oxford as they strive for a play-off place and I cannot see Port Vale putting up sufficient resistance. Ross, the runaway Scottish first division champions, will surely make hay against Queen of the South, who have been relegated. 


Homes sweet homes: Leyton Orient have faded badly in League One but they will be keen to end the season on a winning note against bottom club Rochdale. In League Two, I'm taking lowly Plymouth to surprise Cheltenham, who are assured of a play-off place but have lost their last five away matches. Second-placed Dundee's home form in the Scottish first division has been unreliable but they may raise their game against Livingston, who travel well. In the Scottish second division, Albion must beat bottom club Stirling to have any chance of avoiding the relegation play-offs. I'm backing them to do it.

Pools tips for this weekend April 28-29

Ten draws: Leeds v Leicester, Watford v Middlesbrough, Colchester v Tranmere, Scunthorpe v Bournemouth, Sheffield United v Stevenage, Walsall v Huddersfield, Aldershot v Rotherham, Oxford v Southend, Torquay v Crewe, Livingston v Morton.


Best draws: Watford v Middlesbrough, Colchester v Tranmere, Aldershot v Rotherham, Oxford v Southend, Livingston v Morton.


Five aways: Liverpool, Newcastle, Brighton, Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons.


Nine homes: Everton, Swansea, Tottenham, Birmingham, Crystal Palace, Southampton, West Ham, Bury, Carlisle.


Pick of the draws: Middlesbrough have to win to stand any chance of getting into the Championship play-offs but they will be hard-pushed to manage it at Watford, who have enjoyed some good results this season. Colchester are the League One draw specialists (20 this season) and must be fancied for another against Tranmere, who are one place below them. Rotherham have gained some momentum in League Two under new manager Steve Evans and I believe they will sustain it at Aldershot. Oxford have faltered in their attempt to gain a play-off place and will find high-flying Southend hard to overcome. Livingston's home record has let them down in the Scottish first division, which will encourage Morton, their opponents.


Away days: Liverpool are playing better than their form and Premier League position suggest and should be backed at Norwich. Newcastle are on a really hot streak and making a convincing push for a Champions League spot. They will be expecting maximum points from their trip to relegation-troubled Wigan. In the Championship, Brighton should see off Barnsley, who look as if they cannot wait for the season to finish. In League One, promotion-seeking Sheffield Wednesday and play-off certainties MK Dons are confident selections at Brentford and bottom club Rochdale respectively.


Homes sweet homes: After holding Manchester United to a thrilling 4-4 draw at Old Trafford last Sunday, Everton, ending the season strongly as usual, will be looking forward to the visit of Fulham. It's high time Tottenham reversed their slump in form and they have an excellent opportunity against Blackburn, who are favourites for relegation from the Premier League. Reading may take their foot off the pedal now that promotion to the Premier League and their status as champions have been assured. If so, then Chris Hughton's Birmingham are well equipped to take advantage. Crystal Palace will be eager to end a disappointing Championship season on a high note and are worth a punt against play-off contenders Cardiff. Palace will also be looking to avenge their Carling Cup semi-final defeat on penalties.

Pools tips for this weekend April 21-22

Ten draws: Aston Villa v Sunderland, Fulham v Wigan, Brighton v Birmingham, Ipswich v Millwall, Peterborough v Watford, MK Dons v Sheffield United, AFC Wimbledon v Torquay, Gillingham v Swindon, Plymouth v Oxford, Port Vale v Bristol Rovers.


Best draws: Fulham v Wigan, Ipswich v Millwall, MK Dons v Sheffield United, Gillingham v Swindon, Plymouth v Oxford.


Five aways: Norwich, Southampton, Preston, Shrewsbury, Crawley.


Nine homes: Manchester United, Newcastle, Queens Park Rangers, Bristol City, Coventry, Portsmouth, Charlton, Notts County, Crewe.


Pick of the draws: I expect Wigan's astonishing revival to continue at Fulham, where they look good for at least a point. After beating Manchester United and Arsenal a trip to Craven Cottage should hold no fears. Millwall's away form has kept them in the Championship and I'm tipping them to hold underperforming Ipswich. Sheffield United's winning run in League One could be halted by MK Dons, who look assured of a play-off place. In League Two, promotion-bound Swindon may have their work cut out at Gillingham, who are a match for anybody on their day. At the other end of the table a draw will edge Plymouth nearer safety and I believe they will get it against play-off contenders Oxford. 


Away days: Wigan's unexpected win at Arsenal has made Blackburn odds-on to be relegated from the Premier League. Morale must be low and I'll be surprised if Norwich don't take advantage. Southampton will clinch promotion to the Premier with victory at Middlesbrough, whose own hopes of going up are fast fading. Preston beat Sheffield Wednesday in League One last weekend and are worth a punt at Oldham, who have lost more at home than they've won. Shrewsbury and Crawley, striving for promotion from League Two and playing well, look good for three points at Accrington and Dagenham & Redbridge respectively. 


Homes sweet homes: Queens Park Rangers, battling for Premier League survival, have won their last three home games and will fancy their chances against Tottenham, who are woefully off-form and struggling to stay in the top four. Coventry and Portsmouth must win to have any chance of avoiding relegation from the Championship. I think they'll manage it against respectively Doncaster, who are already down, and Derby, who have little to play for. Crewe have not lost since mid-February in League Two and are worth supporting against Cheltenham, who are also competing for a play-off place. 

Pools tips for this weekend April 14-15

The void matches this weekend are Southampton v Reading (No 10 on coupon), Barnet v Hereford (24) and Fleetwood v Lincoln (35). Replacing Fleetwood in my home selections is Wrexham.


Ten draws: Watford v Hull, Bury v Bournemouth, Carlisle v Charlton, Rochdale v Exeter, Wycombe v Oldham, Bristol Rovers v Burton, Morecambe v Port Vale, Oxford v Gillingham, Torquay v Southend, Elgin v Annan.


Best draws: Bury v Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers v Burton, Morecambe v Port Vale, Torquay v Southend, Elgin v Annan.


Five aways: Cardiff, Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday, Crewe, Luton.


Nine homes: Burnley, Derby, Leeds, Brentford, Preston, Swindon, Kidderminster, Wrexham, York.


Pick of the draws: Although Bury are struggling in League One, they have won their last two home games, form which should be good enough to see them gain a point against Bournemouth. Burton have at last halted their slide down League Two and I expect them to share the spoils at Bristol Rovers. Morecambe's poor home results have held them back this season and I believe Port Vale will be the latest team to deny them. Nobody in League Two has a better away record than Southend, who can hold their promotion rivals Torquay. Elgin's home form has dipped in the Scottish third division and Annan can take advantage.


Away days: The season can't end quickly enough for Barnsley and Championship play-off hopefuls Cardiff should be too strong for them. Crystal Palace are in a similar slump and this is a good opportunity for Ipswich to continue climbing the table. Sheffield Wednesday are in a battle royal with Sheffield United for automatic promotion to the Championship and are a confident selection at mid-table Colchester. Crewe are a good bet to extend their long unbeaten run in League Two at Macclesfield, who occupy one of the two relegation slots. Luton will be anxious to make up lost ground in the Blue Square Premier promotion race and are fancied against Alfreton.


Homes sweet homes: Middlesbrough are higher than Derby in the Championship but Derby are playing better and are worth backing. If Neil Warnock's Leeds can keep 11 players on the field  - no easy task if recent games are anything to go by - they should see off Peterborough. In League One a revitalised Brentford could get the better of Notts County, who are two places above them. Preston have had their problems recently but they may be worth a flutter against Huddersfield, who appear to have resigned themselves to a play-off place - again.