Pools tips and best bets for weekend of March 21-22

Ten draws: Liverpool v Manchester United, Stoke v Crystal Palace, Cardiff v Birmingham, Charlton v Reading, Peterborough v Chesterfield, AFC Wimbledon v Portsmouth, Accrington v York, Plymouth v Newport, Partick v Inverness, Ross v Kilmarnock.

Best draws: Liverpool v Manchester United, Charlton v Reading, Peterborough v Chesterfield, Plymouth v Newport, Ross v Kilmarnock.

Best weekend away bets: Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Leeds, Preston, Aberdeen.

Best weekend home bets: Aston Villa, Tottenham, Brentford, Coventry, MK Dons, Rochdale, Bury, Carlisle, Shrewsbury, Hibernian.


Pick of the draws: A few weeks ago I would have tipped Liverpool to beat Manchester United but United upped their game when defeating Tottenham 3-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford last Sunday and a repeat of that performance should be enough to get them a draw at Anfield. Liverpool, by all accounts, were lucky to win at Swansea last Monday. Now that Reading have reached the FA Cup semi-finals, they can fully concentrate on the Championship for the next few weeks. They made short work of Bradford City last Monday and, at their best, are easily capable of coming away from Charlton with a point. Peterborough and Chesterfield, who meet on Saturday, are fiercely contesting League One play-off positions. Chesterfield roared back into the race with a convincing 3-0 victory over Gillingham in midweek and I'm backing them to deny Peterborough. In League Two, Newport appear to have recovered from their indifferent spell and I believe they will share the spoils at Plymouth.  Ross are showing the most improved form of the teams threatened by relegation from the Scottish Premiership. They have not drawn at home in the league this season but I've a hunch they will salvage something from their match against Kilmarnock.

Away days: Manchester City's recent lapses have left the way clear for Chelsea to claim the Premier League title. Although Chelsea are looking less assured these days, they should have more than enough to see off Hull. Arsenal must recover quickly from their gallant Champions League exit against Monaco and I think they will do so at Newcastle, who have little to play for except pride. Everton are anxious to improve on their unexpectedly low placing and they have a great opportunity to do just that at Queens Park Rangers, who seem resigned to relegation. Leeds, mid-table in the Championship, are surely a banker at rock-bottom Blackpool, who are already preparing for life in League One next season. High-riding Preston are on a charge into the Championship, scoring loads of goals and conceding very few. They are well worth a punt at sixth-placed Barnsley. Aberdeen are Celtic's only challengers for the Scottish Premiership title and I'm tipping them to maintain the pressure by winning at Dundee.

Homes sweet homes: Aston Villa's confidence has soared since Tim Sherwood took over as manager and they will believe they can defeat Swansea. Reaching the FA Cup semi-finals and thrashing Sunderland 4-0 away in the Premier League last Saturday have transformed the mood in the club. Coventry are bubbling again after two consecutive away victories over Chesterfield and Fleetwood. I reckon they will climb further clear of the League One relegation zone by beating Doncaster. Carlisle are battling to avoid the drop from League Two but their 2-0 midweek win at Northampton should have done wonders for their morale and I'm tipping them to prevail over Morecambe.

Pools Info: Wolves v Derby (No 22 on coupon) and Motherwell v Hamilton (45) are being played on Friday and are therefore void. Luton v Wycombe (37) is being played next Tuesday and will be judged by the pools panel.

Three of my five best draw selections were correct last weekend: Leeds v Nottingham Forest, Cambridge v Stevenage and Oxford v Plymouth.