Pools tips for weekend of February 14-15

Ten draws: Plymouth v York, Southend v Exeter, Dumbarton v Falkirk, Queen of South v Dundee, Ayr v Rangers, Annan v East Stirling, Bradford PA v Gainsborough, Worcester v Barrow, Basingstoke v Chelmsford, Whitehawk v Farnborough.

Best draws: Plymouth v York, Dumbarton v Falkirk, Queen of South v Dundee, Ayr v Rangers, Annan v East Stirling.

Best weekend away bets: Southampton, Bradford City, Aberdeen, Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline, Queen's Park.

Best weekend home bets: Doncaster, Peterborough, Rotherham, Swindon, Chesterfield, Fleetwood, Hartlepool, Portsmouth, Rochdale, Raith.


Pick of the draws: Plymouth and York are two teams on the up in League Two. As Plymouth have already drawn six at home and York six away, stalemate looks the likeliest result. Falkirk appear to be faltering, despite lying second in the Scottish Championship. I'll be surprised if they get more than a draw from their trip to Dumbarton, who are making  progress in league and cup. Queen of South are one of the in-form sides of the Championship. They beat Falkirk at home last Saturday and are capable of holding leaders Dundee. Runaway League One leaders Rangers have not dropped a point on their travels but I've a hunch they will be denied by improving Ayr. East Stirling have had some fine away results in League Two and will not lack confidence when visiting second-placed Annan.

Away days: Southampton have played even better than recent results suggest and I'm tipping them to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals by winning at Sunderland on Saturday. Bradford City, mid-table in League One and three times on target against Crewe last Saturday, are worth a punt against Coventry, who seem to have gone off the boil. Aberdeen, of the Scottish Premiership, will be full of beans after knocking Celtic out of the Scottish Cup last weekend. They must be fancied to gain maximum points at lowly St Mirren. There's a bottom-of-the-table clash - Morton v Cowdenbeath - in the Scottish Championship. Cowdenbeath's form has been much better, so put your faith in them. Dunfermline's terrific away record in League One should see them prevail over Forfar. Queen's Park are rock bottom of League Two but if they can win anywhere it is probably at Montrose, who are  off-colour.

Homes sweet homes: Peterborough's stunning late win at Leyton Orient last Saturday has enhanced their promotion hopes and I think they will carry on the good work against Walsall, who sit just below them in League One. Hartlepool have found a new lease of life in League Two and are worth backing against Newport, who have been badly affected by postponements. Portsmouth's lowly position does not do them justice and three points against inconsistent AFC Wimbledon will help their fight to avoid relegation. Raith's victory at Hibernian in the Scottish Cup - Championship triumphs over Premiership - was one of the upsets of the weekend and I believe they will go on to defeat Championship promotion contenders Hamilton. 


Pools info: Three of my five best draw selections - Bradford City v Crewe, Exeter v Portsmouth and Wycombe v Accrington - obliged last weekend.