skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Ten draws: Manchester United v Tottenham, West Bromwich v Stoke, Leeds v Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough v Ipswich, Colchester v Crawley, Doncaster v Peterborough, Port Vale v Swindon, Cambridge v Stevenage, Oxford v Plymouth, Hamilton v Ross.
Best draws: West Bromwich v Stoke, Leeds v Nottingham Forest, Colchester v Crawley, Cambridge v Stevenage, Oxford v Plymouth.
Best weekend away bets: Aston Villa, Wolves, Sheffield United, Bury, Falkirk, Hibernian.
Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Everton, Leicester, Bournemouth, Brentford, Sheffield Wednesday, Chesterfield, Preston, Exeter, Morecambe.
Pick of the draws: West Bromwich Albion have improved under Tony Pulis but two consecutive defeats against Midlands rivals Aston Villa (in Premier League and FA Cup) have slowed their momentum. Stoke are enjoying a good season under Mark Hughes and can maintain their eighth position with a point at the Hawthorns. In-form Nottingham Forest have an outside chance of making the Championship play-offs but may have to settle for parity at Leeds. Leeds are in no man's land (safe from relegation and out of the reckoning for promotion) but will want to finish the season strongly. Colchester and Crawley, who meet on Saturday, appear to be on their way down to League Two. Neither team inspires confidence at the moment and it's hard to make a case for either of them escaping relegation. Stevenage are making a late charge for the League Two promotion play-offs and look good for at least a point at Cambridge, whose results since their FA Cup exit to Manchester United, have been largely disappointing. However, they did well to come away from second-placed Shrewsbury with a draw last weekend. Plymouth regained their place in the play-offs by deservedly beating Northampton 2-0 last Saturday. They travel to Oxford, who have a habit of drawing at home. I believe they will do so again.
Away days: There's a spring in the step of Aston Villa, who are showing some spirit under new manager Tim Sherwood. Two consecutive victories over West Brom have raised their morale and they are worth a punt at Sunderland, who are only one place above Villa and have won only twice at home this season. Wolves are just four points adrift of the Championship play-off positions and should triumph at Brighton. League One Sheffield United, in the play-off mix, have suffered two inexplicable home defeats and do better away. That's why I think they will return from Scunthorpe with maximum points. Bury, promotion candidates in League Two, surprisingly slipped up at home to Oxford last Saturday, so they will be eager to return to winning ways at Mansfield, who are not yet safe from the drop. In the Scottish Championship, Falkirk, who won at Queen of the South last Friday, are expected to prevail at struggling Alloa and second-placed Hibernian will surely confirm their improvement at lowly Cowdenbeath.
Homes sweet homes: Everton will be hoping their midweek Europa League match against Dynamo Kiev does not affect their energy levels when they take on Newcastle on Sunday. Everton are only six points clear of the relegation zone but their opponents are nothing to write home about and a win at Goodison Park in the Premier League is long overdue. Saturday's match against Hull is a must-win for bottom club Leicester, who are not playing badly but are failing to get the results they require. However, I've a feeling the tide will turn here. A 3-1 victory at Carlisle last weekend in League Two suggests that Exeter are back in business after a prolonged, poor spell. I'm taking them to gain another three points when they entertain AFC Wimbledon.
Pools Info: Swansea v Liverpool (No 9 on coupon) and Inverness v Dundee United (48) will be decided by the pools panel. Aberdeen v Motherwell (46) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.
Ten draws: Huddersfield v Rotherham, Gillingham v Doncaster, Carlisle v Exeter, Hartlepool v Burton, Plymouth v Northampton, Stevenage v Newport, Barnet v Forest Green, Braintree v Gateshead, Stenhousemuir v Peterhead, Queen's Park v East Fife.
Best draws: Huddersfield v Rotherham, Carlisle v Exeter, Plymouth v Northampton, Barnet v Forest Green, Queen's Park v East Fife.
Best weekend away bets: Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich, Bristol City, Preston, Arbroath.
Best weekend home bets: Liverpool, Derby, Nottingham Forest, Coventry, Peterborough, Rochdale, Sheffield United, Bury, Tranmere, Inverness.
Pick of the draws: Huddersfield's confidence will have been damaged by two consecutive heavy defeats and they may struggle to overcome Rotherham, who have a habit of drawing away in the Championship. Although Rotherham are battling relegation I think they'll share the spoils again. Carlisle climbed out of the League Two relegation zone with a midweek victory over Cheltenham and they are capable of holding Exeter, who are in terrible form. Plymouth's promotion challenge has stalled recently, whereas Northampton, their visitors on Saturday, have made great strides, including last weekend becoming the first team to win at Shrewsbury this season. Expect deadlock in this one. Forest Green are one of the most consistent sides in the Conference. Nine away draws have helped to put them in the play-off places and they have enough about them to deny second-placed Barnet on Saturday. East Fife are zooming up the Scottish League Two table and I believe they'll come away from high-flying Queen's Park with a point.
Away days: Reading have had a mixed bag of results under new manager Steve Clarke but I'm taking the Championship outfit to end Bradford City's run in the FA Cup when they travel to Valley Parade in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Although Bradford's giant-killing heroics are fresh in the memory, they are far from invincible at home and Reading are equipped to take advantage and book their place at Wembley in the semi-finals. Sheffield Wednesday gained a thoroughly deserved win over Championship leaders Middlesbrough last weekend and will surely follow that up by beating rock bottom Blackpool. Norwich look formidable at the moment and I certainly can't see Millwall denying them. The south London club are six points off safety after another bad week. League One leaders Bristol City have moved 10 points clear of the chasing pack and must be relishing a trip to relegation-haunted Crawley. Preston have climbed into second place, thanks mostly to their fine away record. They can improve on that by beating fellow promotion challengers MK Dons, who appear to be a fading force. In Scottish League Two, Arbroath recovered from 3-0 down against Elgin to force a 3-3 draw last Saturday. I suspect they will be too powerful for bottom club Montrose.
Homes sweet homes: Despite a midweek setback at Charlton, Nottingham Forest, under new manager Dougie Freedman, look a far more confident side these days. They are playing with purpose, conviction and style and are well worth a punt against promotion contenders Middlesbrough. Tony Mowbray is back in management at Coventry, who look a decent bet to surprise Port Vale. Coventry are only one point away from the League One relegation zone but I expect them to move nearer safety in the next few weeks. League Two relegation strugglers Tranmere have lost three consecutive games but I'm taking them to stop the rot against Dagenham & Redbridge.
Pools info: Bradford City v Chesterfield (No 7 on coupon) will be decided by the pools panel as Bradford City are playing Reading in the FA Cup this weekend.
Ten draws: Burnley v Swansea, Newcastle v Aston Villa, West Ham v Crystal Palace, Reading v Nottingham Forest, Notts County v Port Vale, Oldham v Preston, Walsall v Leyton Orient, Hartlepool v AFC Wimbledon, Mansfield v Dagenham & Redbridge, Ross v Dundee.
Best draws: Burnley v Swansea, West Ham v Crystal Palace, Oldham v Preston, Hartlepool v AFC Wimbledon, Ross v Dundee.
Best weekend away bets: Brentford, Wolves, Derby, Sheffield United, Tranmere, Hibernian.
Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Manchester United, Stoke, West Bromwich, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Doncaster, Luton, Portsmouth, York.
Pick of the draws: Talk of Swansea being on the slide in the Premier League was halted by last Saturday's 2-1 home win over Manchester United. With relegation-threatened Burnley coming away from Chelsea with a coupon-busting 1-1 draw, both sides come into this fixture on the back of good results. Stalemate is the most likely outcome. West Ham spoilt all their fine work last Sunday by conceding a last-gasp penalty to Tottenham, who scrambled a 2-2 draw. Crystal Palace have revived under Alan Pardew and gave Arsenal an almighty scare last weekend. They are good enough to hold the Hammers. Preston are pushing hard for automatic promotion from League One and are capable of sharing the spoils at Oldham, who tend to be erratic. Hartlepool, the League Two's bottom club, are more resilient on their own ground and I believe they will deprive mid-table Wimbledon of maximum points. The improved form of Ross in the Scottish Premiership has seen them climb from last to 10th. Dundee, their visitors, have also perked up lately. Ross have not drawn a league game at home all season but I think that will change on Saturday.
Away days: Just when it seemed as if the wheels were about to come off, Brentford are back in the winning groove after home victories over Bournemouth and Blackpool. They are one point off the Championship play-offs and can strengthen their position by beating Birmingham, who appear to have hit the wall. Wolves, with eight goals and none conceded in their last two matches, are strongly fancied to make it three wins in a row when they travel to Cardiff. Leaders Derby will surely make their superiority count at Fulham, who are dropping down the table at an alarming rate. Sheffield United, League One promotion contenders, have already won eight away games. They will probably make it nine at lowly Crawley. Tranmere, fighting relegation from League Two, fought spiritedly before losing 3-2 at Portsmouth in midweek. That spirit should serve them well at Cheltenham, who have sunk into the relegation zone. There's no stopping Hibernian after early season wobbles in the Scottish Championship and they are a confident selection at Alloa.
Homes sweet homes: West Bromwich Albion, a different proposition under Tony Pulis, are well worth a punt against Southampton, who have slipped out of the Champions League qualifying places and seem to be a fading force in the Premier League. Blackpool, bottom of the Championship, may be doomed to go down but they can gain a rare success by defeating fellow strugglers Wigan, whose recent form can only encourage the Seasiders. York, 22nd out of 24 in League Two, have only two home wins to their credit but they may just have enough to see off Exeter, who have 11 more points but are in free-fall.
Pools info: Leicester v Chelsea (No 3 on coupon) and QPR v Tottenham (7) will be decided by the pools panel as Chelsea and Spurs are playing each other in the Capital One Cup final on Sunday.
Ten draws: Everton v Leicester, Hull v Queens Park Rangers, Brighton v Birmingham, Huddersfield v Cardiff, Watford v Norwich, Leyton Orient v Oldham, Rochdale v Chesterfield, Northampton v York, Stevenage v Southend, Tranmere v Shrewsbury.
Best draws: Everton v Leicester, Brighton v Birmingham, Watford v Norwich, Northampton v York, Stevenage v Southend.
Best weekend away bets: Arsenal, West Bromwich, Bristol City, Gillingham, Mansfield, Dundee.
Best weekend home bets: Aston Villa, Manchester City, Tottenham, Blackburn, Millwall, Wolves, Sheffield United, Swindon, Carlisle, Newport.
Pick of the draws: Although Leicester, bottom of the Premier League, have lost their last three matches, they could have got something out of all of them. They are not playing as badly as their form suggests and it wouldn't surprise me if they held Everton, who have only three wins to their credit at Goodison Park and are having an indifferent season. Championship strugglers Brighton have already drawn six home games. I've a feeling that will become seven when they face Birmingham on Saturday. Birmingham are also used to stalemates, having drawn seven of their away fixtures. Watford v Norwich is one of the more attractive fixtures of the weekend. Both sides have boosted their promotion challenge with good results recently and it is hard to pick a winner. York, two points clear of the relegation zone in League Two, played superbly to beat fellow strugglers Tranmere 2-0 last Saturday and can come away from Northampton with a point. Stevenage returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Hartlepool and will probably give as good as they get against Southend, who are two points off an automatic promotion place.
Away days: Arsenal have been fragile away from the Emirates but they have a good chance to rectify that at Crystal Palace, who seem more vulnerable at Selhurst Park. West Bromwich Albion have made great strides under Tony Pulis and are strongly recommended against Sunderland, who are reeling from their fifth round FA Cup exit at the hands of League One Bradford City and in danger of slipping into the Premier League relegation zone. Bristol City, top of League One, look a banker at Colchester, whose home defeats have gone into double figures, and it is impossible to ignore on-form Gillingham's claims at bottom club Yeovil. Mansfield's chances of avoiding relegation from League Two improved when they beat high-flying Luton in midweek and another victory, this time at Oxford, shouldn't be beyond them. Dundee have moved into the top half of the Scottish Premiership and ought to account for Motherwell, who are having a terrible season.
Homes sweet homes: Aston Villa are already feeling the benefit of a change of manager and are more upbeat about avoiding relegation from the Premier League. I fancy them to get three points against inconsistent Stoke, whose confidence may have been damaged by a surprising FA Cup exit at Blackburn. Millwall, third from bottom in the Championship, won't go down without a fight and I believe they will record a rare home win against Fulham, who appear to have taken two steps back after a giant leap forward. League Two promotion challengers Wycombe have lost their way recently. They make the long journey to lowly Carlisle, who are battling hard to stay in the Football League and are worth a punt.
Ten draws: Gillingham v MK Dons, Peterborough v Rochdale, Mansfield v Northampton, Morecambe v Dagenham & Redbridge, Altrincham v Forest Green, Eastleigh v Torquay, Grimsby v Bristol Rovers, Lincoln v Chester, Ross v Motherwell, Raith v Falkirk.
Best draws: Gillingham v MK Dons, Peterborough v Rochdale, Grimsby v Bristol Rovers, Lincoln v Chester, Ross v Motherwell.
Best weekend away bets: Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Swindon, Bury, Aberdeen, Elgin.
Best weekend home bets: Bolton, Bournemouth, Chesterfield, Oldham, Hartlepool, Luton, Portsmouth, Southend, Wycombe, Dunfermline.
Pick of the draws: Gillingham are on a roll in League One, beating Sheffield United (home) and Peterborough (away) in the space of four days. They can hold MK Dons, whose promotion hopes took a knock on Monday when they lost at Bradford City. Peterborough's promotion challenge has faded mainly because they have lost seven matches at home. They will have a job making ground advantage count against Rochdale, who are particularly strong away. The Conference has several draw possibilities this weekend, especially Grimsby (4th) v Bristol Rovers (3rd). Both former League clubs are in fine form. Chester, once threatened by relegation, have pulled well away from the danger zone and are more than capable of gaining a point at Lincoln. It is hard to make a case for either Ross or Motherwell, bottom and second bottom respectively in the Scottish Premiership. They meet on Saturday and a draw is the likely outcome.
Away days: Leicester, propping up the Premier League, are due a change of fortune, having unluckily lost to Crystal Palace (home) and Arsenal (away) in the past week. They are well worth a punt at Aston Villa in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, especially as Villa don't know where their next goal - let alone their next win - is coming from. Blackpool are doomed to relegation from the Championship and their visitors on Saturday, Nottingham Forest, will surely take advantage. League One high-flyers Swindon lost at Oldham in midweek. They will be eager to make amends and will probably do so at Scunthorpe, whose home record is unimpressive. Bury are contesting a play-off place in League Two and are recommended to prevail at Cheltenham, who are hovering just above the relegation zone. Aberdeen are giving Celtic a good run for their money in the Scottish Premiership and are a confident selection to beat Hamilton. Elgin have markedly improved in Scottish League Two and must be fancied to inflict further misery on bottom club East Stirling.
Homes sweet homes: Bolton have looked a different team since Neil Lennon was appointed manager and I believe they will surprise high-riding Watford, who can beat the best in the Championship but also lose to the worst. Hartlepool, last in League Two, are gradually closing the gap between them and the other sides threatened by relegation. They beat Northampton in midweek and I fancy them to defeat injury-hit Stevenage on Saturday. If Portsmouth start scoring some goals they will rapidly climb the League Two table because they are defensively sound. I've a hunch they will find their shooting boots against Exeter at Fratton Park.
Pools info: Coventry v Bradford City (No 3 on coupon) and Notts County v Preston (8) will be decided by the pools panel while Rangers v Hibernian (47) is void. Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Burnley v West Brom, Port Vale v Bradford City and Bury v Exeter.
Betting info: Four of my six away selections were correct last weekend. Chelsea, Chesterfield, Burton and Inverness were the successful teams.
