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.

Wednesday 5 March 2014

Pools tips for weekend of March 8-9

Ten draws: Blackburn v Burnley, Colchester v Coventry, Gillingham v Crawley, AFC Wimbledon v York, Wycombe v Hartlepool, Queen of South v Hamilton, Berwick v Montrose, Macclesfield v Grimsby, Tamworth v Aldershot, Valencia v Athletic Bilbao.

Best draws: Blackburn v Burnley, Gillingham v Crawley, AFC Wimbledon v York, Wycombe v Hartlepool, Macclesfield v Grimsby.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Huddersfield, Leyton Orient, Wolves, Stranraer, Stirling.

Best weekend home bets: Derby, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Yeovil, Brentford, Stevenage, Port Vale, Scunthorpe, Falkirk, Dunfermline.


Pick of the draws: Burnley have been one of the success stories of the season and enhanced their Championship promotion claims by beating fellow contenders Derby last Saturday. However, the Clarets seldom get favours from their fiercest rivals Blackburn. I'm backing the hosts to put last week's heavy defeat at Bolton behind them and gain a point. Gillingham and Crawley are next to each other in the League One table and I cannot separate them on Saturday. A few weeks ago I would have had this down as a home win but Crawley have markedly improved. York, in League Two, are another improved side and efficient enough to share the spoils at Wimbledon, whose form wildly fluctuates. Wycombe have moved five points clear of safety with good results against Exeter and Southend. But they'll probably have a harder task against Hartlepool, who have climbed into play-off contention. Grimsby have slipped out of the play-off places in the Skrill Premier but a point at Macclesfield should be within their grasp.

Away days: I'm tipping Manchester United to increase West Bromwich's relegation worries in the Premier League. United's frustration at being no higher than seventh is nothing compared to West Brom, who are still awaiting their first victory under their new manager. Huddersfield went goal crazy against Barnsley in the Championship last weekend and I expect them to collect another three points at Doncaster, who are right back in the relegation scrap. Leyton Orient deserve the highest praise for the way they've maintained their promotion push from League One. They will surely strengthen their position at bottom club Notts County. Leaders Wolves have won their past seven matches. I believe they'll make it eight when they make the short journey to Walsall. Stranraer are making steady progress in Scottish League One and a trip to Ayr should hold no fears. Stirling seem to be on an upward curve in Scottish League Two and are capable of taking maximum points at East Stirling.

Homes sweet homes: Seven games without a goal has scuppered Middlesbrough's chances of success in the Championship this season. They were out of luck at Hillsborough last Saturday when a perfectly good goal did not count, so perhaps a change of fortune is due when inconsistent Ipswich come visiting. Full marks to struggling Yeovil, who last Saturday drew at Reading despite finishing with only eight men. That result should give them the confidence to prevail over mid-table Sheffield Wednesday. Two wins and a draw have hauled Stevenage off the bottom of League One. They now have a fighting chance of avoiding relegation and must be fancied to continue the good work when they host Tranmere, who are only four points better off.

Pools info: Dundee v Raith (match No 19 on the coupon) will be adjudicated by the pools panel. Dartford v Chester FC (No 30) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.