Pools tips for this weekend February 12-13

Treble chance (home teams): Birmingham, Fulham, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers, Watford, Charlton, Walsall, Accrington, Queen of South.


Best draws: Fulham, Sunderland, Watford, Charlton, Walsall.


Aways: Everton, Ipswich, Leicester, Torquay, Wycombe.


Homes: Liverpool, West Brom, Cardiff, Hull, Dagenham & Redbridge, Leyton Orient, Notts County, Aldershot, Cheltenham.




Pick of the draws: Chelsea and their £50 million signing, Fernando Torres, were brought back to earth by Liverpool at the weekend. They will be hard-pushed to return to winning ways at Fulham, who have eased their relegation worries with some excellent results. Tottenham have won two consecutive matches to strengthen their Champions League claims, but Sunderland are a tough nut to crack at the Stadium of Light. Nothing separates Watford (ninth) and Burnley (10th) in the Championship and I predict there won't be anything separating them on Saturday. In League One, Charlton host fellow promotion contenders Peterborough, who have already netted an astonishing 60 goals. Put your money on a high-scoring draw. At the other end of the table Walsall have suddenly clicked into gear and can hold second-placed Bournemouth.


Away days: As is their custom, Everton are running into form in the second half of the season. They are worth backing at Bolton, who are slipping down the table after much early promise. Ipswich have made rapid strides in the Championship since Paul Jewell was appointed manager and can overtake Barnsley by winning at Oakwell. Sven Goran Eriksson's Leicester are in great shape and must be fancied to defeat out-of-sorts Derby. In League Two, Torquay are tipped to add to Barnet's woes while Wycombe are expected to thrive at Bradford City.


Homes sweet homes: West Brom may have lost their manager, Roberto Di Matteo, but they can win their relegation tussle against bottom club West Ham. League One strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge have not given up hope of avoiding relegation and beating Yeovil should not be beyond them. If you are looking for a home banker, I suggest in-form Leyton Orient against lowly and despairing Bristol Rovers. Notts County may have one eye on their FA Cup fourth-round replay at Manchester City next week but they will probably be too hot for Exeter, who are in decline. Improving Aldershot are worth backing against Macclesfield in League Two.