Pools tips and best football bets for weekend of April 5-6

 Ten draws: Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest, West Ham v Bournemouth, Coventry v Burnley, Millwall v Portsmouth, Huddersfield v Mansfield, Reading v Wycombe, Shrewsbury v Cambridge, Cheltenham v Doncaster, Tranmere v Chesterfield, Kilmarnock v Motherwell.

Five best draws: Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest, Coventry v Burnley, Millwall v Portsmouth, Cheltenham v Doncaster, Tranmere v Chesterfield.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Sheffield United, Stoke, Blackpool, Aberdeen, Partick, Tamworth. Ten homes: Tottenham, Plymouth, West Bromwich, Birmingham, Bolton, Charlton, Wrexham, Colchester, Gateshead, Hartlepool. 

Pick of the draws: Nottingham Forest took a giant step towards securing Champions League football next season with a narrow midweek home victory over Manchester United. As they are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, no wonder the mood is so buoyant at the City Ground. I think that feel-good factor will remain with them after Saturday's Premier League game at Aston Villa, who are also bang on form. Burnley's defensive resilience as they push for promotion from the Championship has been one of the stories of 2024-25 but manager Frank Lampard has put an extra spring in the step of Coventry, who occupy one of the play-off positions. Two of the division's most inconsistent teams, Millwall and Portsmouth, meet at The Den on Saturday and I don't believe either will emerge triumphant. Doncaster have lost some ground in their attempt to go up automatically from League Two and there's no guarantee they will return from Cheltenham with three points. Consecutive wins over Barrow (1-0, away) and Carlisle (2-1, home) have made Chesterfield believe they can make the play-offs. However, their visit to Tranmere is fraught with danger, for the hosts are scrapping like mad to avoid dropping out of the Football League.

Away days: It's hard to ignore the prospects of Sheffield United at Oxford. United, the worthy Championship leaders, are in the kind of form that Oxford can only dream about. Stoke's 3-1 home win over Queens Park Rangers last Saturday was timely in their fight to avoid relegation and I won't be surprised if they gain another three points at Preston. Blackpool are thriving in League One after home victories against Bolton (2-1 on Saturday) and Reading (3-0 in midweek) and are worth backing at Rotherham, who have sacked their manager, Steve Evans. Aberdeen seem over their poor patch in the Scottish Premiership and are recommended at Ross County. Partick, fourth in the Scottish Championship, will be disappointed not to come away from bottom side Airdrieonians with maximum points. Tamworth, unbeaten in their past nine fixtures, have the National League play-offs in their sights and will be confident of defeating Maidenhead, who are in the drop zone.

Homes sweet homes: Although Plymouth are still bottom of the Championship, they haven't given up hope of surviving and can improve their chances by defeating mid-table Norwich. West Bromwich Albion were very unlucky to lose to an added-time goal at Norwich last weekend. Perhaps they are due for a change of luck against fellow promotion contenders Sunderland. Colchester have encountered a few setbacks in League Two lately but I tip them to return to winning ways when they host the higher-placed Notts County.

Betting info: I scored five out of six aways last weekend with Manchester City, Aston Villa, Wrexham, Notts County and Rangers. Only Bradford City (0-0 at Accrington) let me down.

Pools tips and best football bets for weekend of March 29-30

 Ten draws: Fulham v Crystal Palace, Hull v Luton, Norwich v West Bromwich, Stoke v Queens Park Rangers, Sunderland v Millwall, Bristol Rovers v Mansfield, Wigan v Barnsley, Barrow v Chesterfield, Harrogate v Gillingham, Hamilton v Raith.

Five best draws: Fulham v Crystal Palace, Norwich v West Bromwich, Sunderland v Millwall, Bristol Rovers v Mansfield, Harrogate v Gillingham.

Weekend football's best bets: Six aways: Manchester City, Aston Villa, Wrexham, Bradford City, Notts County, Rangers. Ten homes: Brighton, Leeds, Portsmouth, Watford, Birmingham, Stockport, Crewe, Doncaster, Hibernian, Barnet. 

Pick of the draws: Fulham and Crystal Palace have fared better away than at home this season. Bearing that in mind, I won't be at all surprised if Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Craven Cottage goes to extra time before a winner emerges. Neither side has yet won the competition, so I'm expecting a hard-fought, open encounter. Norwich v West Bromwich is a clash between two under-performing Championship teams. I'm not sure that either can raise their game enough to win. Mid-table Millwall are used to upsetting more fashionable sides and they can do so again at Sunderland, who lie fourth. Mansfield have at last arrested their alarming slide down League One and can gain a point at Bristol Rovers, who are just above the relegation zone. Although Harrogate and Gillingham find themselves at the wrong end of League Two, they appear safe from the drop. A point apiece is the most likely outcome.

Away days: Manchester City's implosion in the Premier League may make them more determined to do well in the FA Cup. They travel to Bournemouth for their quarter-final tie on Sunday and I believe they'll come out on top. Aston Villa aren't at their best away from Villa Park but you have to fancy them at Preston, who, at 14th in the Championship, are the lowest-ranked team left in the FA Cup. Wrexham, seeking automatic promotion from League One, have regained their poise recently and are recommended at Exeter. At the top of League Two, Bradford City recovered from their unexpected home defeat by Tranmere by defeating Colchester 4-1 at Valley Parade last weekend. It's hard to see them slipping up at  Accrington, who are 20th. Notts County had the better of their home goalless draw with fellow promotion candidates Crewe last Saturday, which should encourage them to come away from Newport with three points. After winning 3-2 away at Celtic, Rangers are far more upbeat and I expect them to see off second-from-bottom Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Homes sweet homes: With good reason, Brighton don't fear anybody these days. I predict they'll make the most of home advantage against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and thereby book a place in the FA Cup semi-finals. You don't know what Portsmouth, of the Championship, are going to do from one week to the next. In the past month they've lost at Luton (1-0) and Preston (2-1) but beaten league leaders Leeds at home. They seem more confident at Fratton Park and are worth backing against Blackburn, who are heading in the wrong direction. Crewe have lost ground in League Two by drawing on too many occasions. They have a good chance to rectify this against fierce promotion rivals Port Vale, who seem equally vulnerable, having lost 1-0 at home to Barrow in midweek. 

Pools tips and best football bets for weekend of March 22-23

 Ten draws: Germany v Italy, Bradford City v Colchester, Fleetwood v Tranmere, Notts County v Crewe, Inverness v Alloa, Clyde v Bonnyrigg Rose, Edinburgh v East Fife, Eastleigh v Southend, Solihull Moors v Yeovil, Wealdstone v Woking.

Five best draws: Bradford City v Colchester, Fleetwood v Tranmere, Notts County v Crewe, Edinburgh v East Fife, Eastleigh v Southend.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: North Macedonia, Queen of the South, York, Forest Green, Tamworth, Boston. Ten homes: France, Spain, Czechia, Montenegro, Cheltenham, Chesterfield, Port Vale, Ayr, Falkirk, Aldershot.

Pick of the draws: Colchester's astonishing 13-game unbeaten run has enabled them to climb into the League Two play-off positions. They have conceded less than a goal a game, a statistic that should serve them well at second-placed Bradford City. Two successive victories have halted Tranmere's alarming slide. They even won 1-0 at Bradford City last Saturday, so it will surprising if they don't get something from their trip to Fleetwood. Few sides have drawn more often than Crewe (15) and another stalemate is on the cards when they visit Notts County, who are only three places above them and four points better off. East Fife, the Scottish League Two leaders, crashed 3-0 at home to mid-table Stranraer last Saturday, so they will be wary of Edinburgh, who are third. Eastleigh and Southend are making a late push to qualify for the National League play-offs. They have the same number of points and I can't see that changing after Saturday.

Away days: North Macedonia will be kicking themselves if they don't gain maximum points against minnows Liechtenstein in their World Cup qualifier. Queen of the South, of Scottish League One, are worth backing at Dumbarton, who are rock bottom. York won't give up chasing the runaway National League leaders Barnet and a win at Braintree will be crucial to their prospects. Although Forest Green, in third, have faded recently, they should be too good for Fylde, who are in the relegation zone. Tamworth, improving by the week, are worth a punt at the higher-placed Gateshead, who have lost their past two home matches. Boston's remarkable escape from relegation is well and truly on. After winning 3-0 at Yeovil, they followed last Saturday's 1-0 victory at Braintree by beating Rochdale 3-2 away in midweek. A fourth consecutive away triumph - at mid-table Hartlepool - is not beyond them. 

Homes sweet homes: Cheltenham continue to impress in the second half of the League Two season and they will expect to beat the woefully out-of-touch Milton Keynes Dons. Chesterfield, 2-1 winners at promotion-challenging Notts County last weekend, have perked up lately and must be fancied against struggling Harrogate. Confidence seems to have been restored at Port Vale after a winter wobble. They saw off MK Dons 3-0 at home last Saturday and I expect a similar result against second-from-bottom Morecambe. 

Pools info (1): Salford v Doncaster (No.24 on coupon) has been postponed and will be assessed by the pools panel.

Pools info (2): For the second week running, three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Manchester City v Brighton (2-2), Accrington v Gillingham (1-1) and St Johnstone v Aberdeen (0-0). 

Pools tips and best football bets for weekend of March 15-16

 Ten draws: Manchester City v Brighton, Coventry v Sunderland, Millwall v Stoke, Preston v Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United, Accrington v Gillingham, Carlisle v Wimbledon, Newport v Harrogate, Notts County v Chesterfield, St Johnstone v Aberdeen.

Five best draws: Manchester City v Brighton, Preston v Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United, Accrington v Gillingham, St Johnstone v Aberdeen.

Weekend football's best bets: Six aways: Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Burnley, Livingston, York. Ten homes: Bournemouth, Southampton, Blackburn, West Bromwich, Blackpool, Huddersfield, Wycombe, Bradford City, Arbroath, Gateshead.

Pick of the draws: Premier League sides are no longer frightened by Manchester City and Brighton's recent form - six successive victories - suggests they are a good bet to avoid defeat at the Etihad on Saturday. No Championship team have drawn more matches than Preston's 17 this season. It won't surprise me if that figure climbs to 18 after they've played Portsmouth, whose morale was boosted by beating Leeds 1-0 at home last Sunday. Normally, I would side with Sheffield United, automatic promotion contenders, to defeat mid-table and fierce rivals Sheffield Wednesday but Wednesday had a fine 3-2 midweek victory at Norwich and may be more up for this one. John Coleman, manager of League Two Gillingham, is returning to his old club, Accrington, who defeated Newport 5-0 at home in midweek. However, Gillingham, who upset high-flying Bradford City 1-0 at home last weekend, are in better shape than Newport and can come away with a point. St Johnstone may be bottom of the Scottish Premiership but, against all the odds, have reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals. I think this will inspire them to hold fourth-placed Aberdeen. 

Away days: I've a hunch that Newcastle will win their first domestic trophy since 1955 when they play the runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Although Newcastle have been weakened by injuries to key players, Liverpool will find it hard to recover from their midweek Champions League exit by Paris Saint-Germain. Fatigue could also be a factor, considering that Liverpool were taken to extra time before losing the penalty shoot-out. Nottingham Forest, third in the Premier League, are a confident selection at third-from-bottom Ipswich, who have not won this year. Leeds will want to get last Sunday's Championship defeat at Portsmouth out of their system and should do that at Queens Park Rangers, while Burnley's now famous defence ought to see them through at Swansea. I don't foresee any problems for Livingston at bottom club Airdrieonians in the Scottish Championship and second-placed York can cash in on Yeovil's slump in the National League. 

Homes sweet homes: Southampton, rock-bottom of the Premier League and doomed to relegation, can upset the form book by taking maximum points off Wolves, who will still be without Matheus Cuena, their best player, who is serving a four-match suspension. Too many home draws have hindered Blackpool's progress in League One but they won 2-1 in midweek against lowly Cambridge and I believe they'll get another three points against Leyton Orient, who have lost their last five matches. In League One's top-of-the-table clash between Wycombe and Wrexham, my money is on the underrated hosts, who continue to play with a swagger.

 

Pools tips and best football bets for weekend of March 8-9

 Ten draws: Brighton v Fulham, Wolves v Everton, Portsmouth v Leeds, Swansea v Middlesbrough, Peterborough v Wycombe, Stevenage v Mansfield, Stockport v Charlton, Cheltenham v Colchester, Harrogate v Carlisle, Alloa v Arbroath.

Five best draws: Brighton v Fulham, Portsmouth v Leeds, Stevenage v Mansfield, Cheltenham v Colchester, Alloa v Arbroath.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Arsenal, Manchester City, Bolton, Reading, Bradford City, Inverness. Ten homes: Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Burnley, Norwich (Friday), Sheffield United, Watford, Leyton Orient, Wrexham, Falkirk, Barnet.

Pick of the draws: Fulham have done so well away from Craven Cottage this season that their FA Cup triumph at Manchester United last weekend was not unexpected. Although in-form Brighton, their Premier League hosts, will probably provide tougher opposition, I still think Fulham can come away with a point. Leaders Leeds are odds-on to win promotion from the Championship but three points at Portsmouth, who have markedly improved, are not guaranteed. Mansfield's decline in League One has beens surprising but at least they have avoided defeat in their past two matches. I believe they'll do the same at mid-table Stevenage, who are unpredictable. Colchester, unbeaten in 10 matches, are contesting a play-off place in League Two after rapidly climbing the table. They visit Cheltenham, who are three places below them. Alloa knocked Cove Rangers off the top of Scottish League One last Saturday by beating them 3-2. This time they face the new leaders, Arbroath, and can also frustrate them.

Away days: Arsenal's 7-1 midweek romp at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League will restore some confidence before their Premier League fixture at Manchester United on Sunday. United are far from the force they once were and the Gunners should capitalise on their vulnerability. Manchester City's title hopes have long gone but they are a sound bet to finish in the top four. They are in slightly better form than the team they visit, Nottingham Forest, who sit third. I'm taking Bolton to follow their 3-1 home midweek victory over League One table-toppers Birmingham with another win at Burton, who are trying to escape relegation. Reading, like Bolton, are eying the League One play-offs and are a confident selection at lowly Crawley, who crashed 4-1 at Lincoln in midweek. Bradford City, now only two points behind leaders Walsall, are the form team in League Two and they look an away banker at Gillingham, who are sinking. In Scottish League One, Inverness, second from bottom, are worth a gamble at Dumbarton, who have amassed only eight points.

Homes sweet homes: In the Championship, Norwich are worth backing against Oxford, who can't buy a win and are slipping dangerously close to the drop zone. It's been a bad few days for Millwall, going out of the FA Cup at Crystal Palace last Saturday and then losing 2-0 at home to Bristol City in midweek. Watford, their hosts, will be eager to cash in. To most people's surprise, Leyton Orient have lost their last four League One games. As a result, their hopes of promotion have been damaged. However, I reckon they are due a change of luck against Northampton, who are struggling to stay clear of the relegation zone. 

Pools info: I got five out of ten draws last weekend and three of my five best draws were correct:  Newcastle v Brighton (1-1 at 90mins), Burton v Mansfield (1-1) and Wrexham v Bolton (0-0).