Wednesday, 9 April 2014

Pools tips and recommended bets for weekend of April 12-13

Ten draws: West Bromwich v Tottenham, Leeds v Blackpool, Notts County v Port Vale, Exeter v Cheltenham, Newport v Wycombe, Alloa v Morton, Queen of South v Falkirk, Barnet v FC Halifax, Dartford v Forest Green, Woking v Alfreton.

Best draws: Leeds v Blackpool, Notts County v Port Vale, Newport v Wycombe, Queen of South v Falkirk, Barnet v FC Halifax.

Best weekend away bets: Everton, Bournemouth, Blackburn, Wolves, Chesterfield, Stirling.

Best weekend home bets: Southampton, Bolton, Derby, Ipswich, Millwall, Peterborough, Stevenage, Fleetwood, Plymouth, Dundee.


Pick of the draws: Leeds cannot buy a win at the moment while Blackpool are slipping towards the Championship relegation zone. I expect to see the teams cancel each other out. Notts County's revival in League One was cut short when they lost at Brentford last Saturday. They'll also find Port Vale difficult opponents as they try to avoid relegation and I doubt whether they will gain more than a point from this fixture. Wycombe are showing the spirit and zest needed to escape the drop from League Two and I'm tipping them to hold Newport, who don't look half the side they were at the start of the season. With matches running out in the Scottish Championship, Falkirk really need victory to put pressure on the top two teams, Hamilton and Dundee. I don't think they'll get it at Queen of South, who have improved markedly over the past few months. Barnet look as though they will just miss out on the Skrill Premier play-offs. They need maximum points against fellow contenders FC Halifax but I believe they will be denied.

Away days: Everton's hopes of competing in next season's Champions League were boosted when they outplayed Arsenal at Goodison Park last Sunday. They travel to the Premier League's bottom club Sunderland, who appear doomed after crashing 5-1 at Tottenham on Monday. This looks an away banker. Bournemouth's astonishing rise has given them an outside chance of finishing in the Championship play-offs. Given their momentum, it is hard to see them faltering at bottom-of-the-table Yeovil. I'm taking Blackburn to confirm their improvement by defeating inconsistent Sheffield Wednesday. Wolves, the League One leaders, will surely have too much for relegation-threatened Crewe. Chesterfield, third in League Two, shouldn't be too inconvenienced by Hartlepool, who are going backwards, while in Scottish League Two, fourth-placed Stirling are recommended at Albion.

Homes sweet homes: Two consecutive away wins have given Millwall new hope of avoiding relegation from the Championship. If they can beat Nottingham Forest and Wigan then Millwall should have every chance against Watford, whose form fluctuates wildly. Stevenage may be bottom of League One but they are in better form than Saturday's opponents Colchester, who have slid dangerously close to the relegation zone. I believe Stevenage will be the happier of the two on Saturday evening. In League Two, ninth-placed Plymouth are playing much better than the side immediately above them, Oxford, who have dropped out of the play-off places. Put your money on a home win.

Thursday, 3 April 2014

Pools tips and recommended bets for weekend of April 5-6

Ten draws: Cardiff v Crystal Palace, Doncaster v Birmingham, Huddersfield v Bolton, Watford v Burnley, Colchester v Tranmere, Coventry v MK Dons, Port Vale v Walsall, Sheffield United v Leyton Orient, Morecambe v Mansfield, Kilmarnock v St Johnstone.

Best draws: Doncaster v Birmingham, Watford v Burnley, Coventry v MK Dons, Sheffield United v Leyton Orient, Morecambe v Mansfield.

Best weekend away bets: Arsenal, Swansea, Crewe, Rotherham, Aberdeen, Motherwell.

Best weekend home bets: Aston Villa, Barnsley, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Wigan, Brentford, Bury, Chesterfield, Portsmouth.


Pick of the draws: Birmingham's away form is keeping them out of the Championship relegation zone. They have gained eight victories on their travels and I believe they will nick a draw at Doncaster, who have had some good results themselves lately. Burnley, firm favourites for automatic promotion, have seven away draws to their name. I think they will make it eight at Watford, who are beginning to look more convincing. Coventry have been hindered by having to play their League One home matches at Northampton's Sixfields stadium. MK Dons, with eight away wins, are well equipped to take advantage. Nigel Clough has worked wonders to turn around Sheffield United's season but they may have one eye on the following week's FA Cup semi-final when they host promotion contenders Leyton Orient. Orient are another side who have shone away from home (11 triumphs) but they have faded in the past few weeks. Mansfield have banished fears of relegation from League Two with wins over Hartlepool and AFC Wimbledon and can share the spoils with Morecambe.

Away days: Faltering Arsenal are due a good performance away and I'm taking them to provide it at Goodison Park on Sunday, despite Everton's resurgence. Arsenal's second-half display against Premier League title favourites Manchester City last Saturday was their best for some time. If repeated against Everton, it should be good enough for maximum points. Swansea are steadily climbing the table whereas Hull seem to be moving in the opposite direction. The Swans are worth a punt here. Relegation-threatened Crewe could collect some desperately needed points at Crawley, who have lost their last three League One matches while scoring only once. Nobody in the top four divisions has won more away games than Rotherham and they are tipped to improve that record at Gillingham, who cannot be relied on at home. Aberdeen, second in the Scottish Premiership, look a good thing at Hibernian, who can't even make the top half, while third-placed Motherwell are recommended at second from bottom St Mirren.

Homes sweet homes: Barnsley, with two away successes in a row, are making a spirited attempt to avoid relegation from the Championship and I'm backing them to upset Brighton, who appear to have hit the wall. Unfashionable Bournemouth have surprised everybody with their progress this season and are in the mood to beat high-flyers Queens Park Rangers. In League Two, improving Bury are worth supporting against erratic Exeter and Portsmouth, who are precariously placed, can build on last weekend's victory at Newport by defeating Hartlepool. 

Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Pools tips and bets for weekend of March 29-30

Ten draws: Sunderland v West Ham, West Brom v Cardiff, Birmingham v Bournemouth, Sheffield Wednesday v Watford, MK Dons v Wolves, Northampton v Bury, York v Burton, Aberdeen v Dundee United, Hearts v Hibernian, Alloa v Raith.

Best draws: West Brom v Cardiff, Birmingham v Bournemouth, Sheffield Wednesday v Watford, Northampton v Bury, York v Burton.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton, Wigan, Blackburn, Rochdale.

Best weekend home bets: Liverpool, Southampton, Stoke, Burnley, Derby, Yeovil, Leyton Orient, Notts County, Preston, Walsall.


Pick of the draws: West Brom and Cardiff are finding it increasingly difficult to claw their way to Premier League safety. They have changed their managers to their detriment and I cannot see either taking three points on Saturday. Birmingham gained a crucial victory at Millwall in midweek to ease worries over relegation from the Championship. Their home record, however, is dreadful (nine defeats) and they will struggle to beat Bournemouth, who are finishing the season in great style. Like Bournemouth, Sheffield Wednesday are rapidly climbing the table but Watford are no pushovers away and I fancy them for a point at Hillsborough. Northampton did their League Two survival hopes no favours by conceding a late equaliser when hosting AFC Wimbledon in midweek. I predict more disappointment for them against Bury, who, despite their lowly position, managed a creditable draw at Newport. Promotion contenders York are one of the most improved teams in the division but I'm backing fellow promotion hopefuls Burton to hold them.

Away days: Manchester City, eight goals scored and none conceded in their past two Premier League matches, have the title in their sights and will be confident of piling on the woe for a demoralised and injury-ravaged Arsenal. The claims of leaders Chelsea at relegation-haunted Crystal Palace simply cannot be ignored. Chelsea's 6-0 thrashing of Arsenal last Saturday will only have strengthened their belief. Everton are making a late charge for a Champions League spot and will be banking on maximum points at bottom-of-the-table Fulham. Wigan's steady progress in the Championship was halted by Queens Park Rangers in midweek but I'm taking them to bounce straight back at under-performing Bolton. Millwall's prospects of avoiding relegation are beginning to look bleak and Blackburn are equipped to take advantage of their plight. League Two leaders Rochdale look promotion certainties. Not even a trip to play-off candidates Fleetwood will worry them.

Homes sweet homes: Burnley are gaining ground on long-time Championship leaders Leicester. They meet on Saturday at Turf Moor, where Burnley are unbeaten. I believe Burnley will win again and close the gap even further. Relegation favourites Yeovil came within seconds of beating Leicester away in midweek. I've a hunch they will take out their frustration on Barnsley, who have the same number of points. Two consecutive victories have given Notts County a fighting chance of avoiding relegation from League One. They will be in a good frame of mind to take on Colchester, who are not safe from the drop themselves.


Betting info: I scored eight out of 10 with my home selections last weekend. 

   

Wednesday, 19 March 2014

Pools tips for weekend of March 22-23

Ten draws: Hull v West Bromwich, Blackburn v Leicester, Doncaster v Sheffield Wednesday, Gillingham v Crewe, Oldham v Crawley, Peterborough v Rotherham, Sheffield United v Wolves, Stevenage v MK Dons, Inverness v Partick, St Johnstone v Hibernian.

Best draws: Blackburn v Leicester, Oldham v Crawley, Peterborough v Rotherham, Sheffield United v Wolves, Inverness v Partick.

Best weekend away bets: Liverpool, Bournemouth, Burnley, Preston, Leyton Orient, Rochdale.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Newcastle, Blackpool, Brighton, Wigan, Brentford, Notts County, Morecambe, Aberdeen, Celtic.


Pick of the draws: Championship leaders Leicester have virtually booked their place in the Premier League next season but they may not have things all their own way at Blackburn, for whom the highly regarded Jordan Rhodes scored a hat-trick in a 4-2 win at Huddersfield last Saturday. Blackburn still have hopes of a play-off place and will be anxious not to lose three in a row at Ewood Park. Crawley have made considerable strides in League One under John Gregory's managership. They had a morale-boosting victory over Wolves in midweek and seem nailed on for at least a point at Oldham. Rotherham's best results have come away from home, so a trip to Peterborough, who are only one place lower, shouldn't faze them. Nigel Clough's Sheffield United have won 10 of their last 11 in the league as well as reaching the FA Cup semi-finals. They play leaders Wolves, who surprisingly lost to Crawley and could also be denied victory at Bramall Lane. In the Scottish Premiership, Inverness may have a hangover after their penalty shoot-out defeat by Aberdeen in the League Cup final last Sunday. Partick's hopes of escaping relegation will be improved by a point here.

Away days: Liverpool, second in the Premier League and bursting with confidence and desire after their 3-0 triumph at Manchester United, cannot be ignored at Cardiff, who are favourites to be relegated. Bournemouth, a creditable mid-table in the Championship, must be fancied at Barnsley, who are bottom and looking increasingly desperate. Burnley could almost seal automatic promotion to the Premier League by beating Charlton, who are struggling to stay up. I'm taking League One promotion contenders Preston to prevail at Swindon, who are fading, and third-placed Leyton Orient to revive their promotion challenge when they visit Walsall. Rochdale are the deserved new leaders of League Two and strongly recommended at Wycombe.

Homes sweet homes: Blackpool have suffered a dreadful run in the Championship but I've a feeling their fortunes will take a turn for the better against erratic Huddersfield. Brighton's recent form has made them favourites for a play-off place and I fancy they will improve their position when they host Ipswich. Carlisle are being sucked into the League One relegation zone and their plight could be even worse after Saturday when they visit bottom club Notts County. This is a must-win match for County and I believe they will gain maximum points.


Pools info: Oxford v Hartlepool (No 39 on the coupon) and Hearts v Dundee United (No 46) are being played on Friday and are therefore void.

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Pools tips for weekend of March 15-16

Ten draws: Manchester United v Liverpool, Stoke v West Ham, Sunderland v Crystal Palace, Bournemouth v Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday v Birmingham, Coventry v Port Vale, Leyton Orient v Brentford, MK Dons v Peterborough, Hartlepool v Bristol Rovers, Northampton v Mansfield. 

Best draws: Manchester United v Liverpool, Stoke v West Ham, Sunderland v Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday v Birmingham, Leyton Orient v Brentford.

Best weekend away bets: Chelsea, Newcastle, Blackburn, Wigan, Stevenage, Ayr.

Best weekend home bets: Everton, Swansea, Bolton, Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Crewe, Rotherham, Wolves, Forfar.


Pick of the draws: Liverpool are on a roll as well as genuine Premier League title challengers. Manchester United, in sixth place, are not even certain of qualifying for the Champions League and need maximum points against their bitter Merseyside rivals. I think they will fall short of that but I believe pride will enable them halt Liverpool's charge. West Ham's dramatic revival has put them in the top half of the table and they must fancy their chances of leaving Stoke with at least a point. Sunderland's dreadful capitulation to Hull in the FA Cup will probably have an adverse effect on their Premier League results and their match against fellow relegation strugglers Crystal Palace has stalemate written all over it. Birmingham's away record in the Championship is far superior to their form at St Andrew's. That's why I believe they will get a point at Sheffield Wednesday. There's a fascinating three-horse race for automatic promotion from League One. Leyton Orient and Brentford are two of the sides involved and meet at Brisbane Road. I cannot separate them.

Away days: Despite what Jose Mourinho says, leaders Chelsea, eight points clear of Liverpool and Arsenal, are firm favourites to win the Premier League. They must also be firm favourites to win at Aston Villa, who have lost eight home matches this season. Fulham's hopes of avoiding relegation are fading fast and I expect Newcastle to pile on their agony. Blackburn were unlucky not to get anything out of their Championship fixture against Burnley last Sunday and are worth a punt at Huddersfield, who are wildly inconsistent. Wigan's FA Cup quarter-final victory at Manchester City was one of the results of the season and I can see the feel-good factor enabling them to win at Ipswich, thereby enhancing their prospects of promotion. Three wins and two draws from their past five games have given Stevenage a fighting chance to escape relegation in League One. They will be confident of returning from Carlisle with three points. Ayr, with five away wins in Scottish League One this season, are tipped to prevail at East Fife, who are deep in the relegation mire.

Homes sweet homes: Bolton, 5-1 winners at Leeds last Saturday and then holding Derby to an away goalless draw, are finally getting their act together and can climb the Championship table further by defeating play-off contenders Brighton. Consecutive away triumphs at Shrewsbury and Peterborough - the latter despite being down to 10 men - have put League One team Bristol City in great heart. The threat of relegation has almost vanished and I'm taking them to beat Swindon. A last-minute own goal denied lowly Crewe three points at Walsall in midweek. As long as they don't dwell on their disappointment they should get the better of Oldham, who are far from safe themselves. Stranraer, third in Scottish League One, have conceded nine goals in their past two games. Forfar scored four of them in midweek, so don't be surprised if they repeat their success in the return fixture on Saturday. 

Pools info: Preston v Sheffield United (match No 31 on the coupon) has been put back to Monday and will be adjudicated by the pools panel. Kilmarnock v Celtic (No 48) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.