Pools tips and best bets for weekend of March 14-15

Ten draws: Manchester United v Tottenham, West Bromwich v Stoke, Leeds v Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough v Ipswich, Colchester v Crawley, Doncaster v Peterborough, Port Vale v Swindon, Cambridge v Stevenage, Oxford v Plymouth, Hamilton v Ross.

Best draws: West Bromwich v Stoke, Leeds v Nottingham Forest, Colchester v Crawley, Cambridge v Stevenage, Oxford v Plymouth.

Best weekend away bets: Aston Villa, Wolves, Sheffield United, Bury, Falkirk, Hibernian.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Everton, Leicester, Bournemouth, Brentford, Sheffield Wednesday, Chesterfield, Preston, Exeter, Morecambe.


Pick of the draws: West Bromwich Albion have improved under Tony Pulis but two consecutive defeats against Midlands rivals Aston Villa (in Premier League and FA Cup) have slowed their momentum. Stoke are enjoying a good season under Mark Hughes and can maintain their eighth position with a point at the Hawthorns. In-form Nottingham Forest have an outside chance of making the Championship play-offs but may have to settle for parity at Leeds. Leeds are in no man's land (safe from relegation and out of the reckoning for promotion) but will want to finish the season strongly. Colchester and Crawley, who meet on Saturday, appear to be on their way down to League Two. Neither team inspires confidence at the moment and it's hard to make a case for either of them escaping relegation. Stevenage are making a late charge for the League Two promotion play-offs and look good for at least a point at Cambridge, whose results since their FA Cup exit to Manchester United, have been largely disappointing. However, they did well to come away from second-placed Shrewsbury with a draw last weekend. Plymouth regained their place in the play-offs by deservedly beating Northampton 2-0 last Saturday. They travel to Oxford, who have a habit of drawing at home. I believe they will do so again.

Away days: There's a spring in the step of Aston Villa, who are showing some spirit under new manager Tim Sherwood. Two consecutive victories over West Brom have raised their morale and they are worth a punt at Sunderland, who are only one place above Villa and have won only twice at home this season. Wolves are just four points adrift of the Championship play-off positions and should triumph at Brighton. League One Sheffield United, in the play-off mix, have suffered two inexplicable home defeats and do better away. That's why I think they will return from Scunthorpe with maximum points. Bury, promotion candidates in League Two, surprisingly slipped up at home to Oxford last Saturday, so they will be eager to return to winning ways at Mansfield, who are not yet safe from the drop. In the Scottish Championship, Falkirk, who won at Queen of the South last Friday, are expected to prevail at struggling Alloa and second-placed Hibernian will surely confirm their improvement at lowly Cowdenbeath.

Homes sweet homes: Everton will be hoping their midweek Europa League match against Dynamo Kiev does not affect their energy levels when they take on Newcastle on Sunday. Everton are only six points clear of the relegation zone but their opponents are nothing to write home about and a win at Goodison Park in the Premier League is long overdue. Saturday's match against Hull is a must-win for bottom club Leicester, who are not playing badly but are failing to get the results they require. However, I've a feeling the tide will turn here. A 3-1 victory at Carlisle last weekend in League Two suggests that Exeter are back in business after a prolonged, poor spell. I'm taking them to gain another three points when they entertain AFC Wimbledon.


Pools Info: Swansea v Liverpool (No 9 on coupon) and Inverness v Dundee United (48) will be decided by the pools panel. Aberdeen v Motherwell (46) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.