Pools tips and recommended bets for weekend of April 5-6

Ten draws: Cardiff v Crystal Palace, Doncaster v Birmingham, Huddersfield v Bolton, Watford v Burnley, Colchester v Tranmere, Coventry v MK Dons, Port Vale v Walsall, Sheffield United v Leyton Orient, Morecambe v Mansfield, Kilmarnock v St Johnstone.

Best draws: Doncaster v Birmingham, Watford v Burnley, Coventry v MK Dons, Sheffield United v Leyton Orient, Morecambe v Mansfield.

Best weekend away bets: Arsenal, Swansea, Crewe, Rotherham, Aberdeen, Motherwell.

Best weekend home bets: Aston Villa, Barnsley, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Wigan, Brentford, Bury, Chesterfield, Portsmouth.


Pick of the draws: Birmingham's away form is keeping them out of the Championship relegation zone. They have gained eight victories on their travels and I believe they will nick a draw at Doncaster, who have had some good results themselves lately. Burnley, firm favourites for automatic promotion, have seven away draws to their name. I think they will make it eight at Watford, who are beginning to look more convincing. Coventry have been hindered by having to play their League One home matches at Northampton's Sixfields stadium. MK Dons, with eight away wins, are well equipped to take advantage. Nigel Clough has worked wonders to turn around Sheffield United's season but they may have one eye on the following week's FA Cup semi-final when they host promotion contenders Leyton Orient. Orient are another side who have shone away from home (11 triumphs) but they have faded in the past few weeks. Mansfield have banished fears of relegation from League Two with wins over Hartlepool and AFC Wimbledon and can share the spoils with Morecambe.

Away days: Faltering Arsenal are due a good performance away and I'm taking them to provide it at Goodison Park on Sunday, despite Everton's resurgence. Arsenal's second-half display against Premier League title favourites Manchester City last Saturday was their best for some time. If repeated against Everton, it should be good enough for maximum points. Swansea are steadily climbing the table whereas Hull seem to be moving in the opposite direction. The Swans are worth a punt here. Relegation-threatened Crewe could collect some desperately needed points at Crawley, who have lost their last three League One matches while scoring only once. Nobody in the top four divisions has won more away games than Rotherham and they are tipped to improve that record at Gillingham, who cannot be relied on at home. Aberdeen, second in the Scottish Premiership, look a good thing at Hibernian, who can't even make the top half, while third-placed Motherwell are recommended at second from bottom St Mirren.

Homes sweet homes: Barnsley, with two away successes in a row, are making a spirited attempt to avoid relegation from the Championship and I'm backing them to upset Brighton, who appear to have hit the wall. Unfashionable Bournemouth have surprised everybody with their progress this season and are in the mood to beat high-flyers Queens Park Rangers. In League Two, improving Bury are worth supporting against erratic Exeter and Portsmouth, who are precariously placed, can build on last weekend's victory at Newport by defeating Hartlepool.