Pools tips and best bets for weekend of February 13-14

Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Watford, Manchester City v Tottenham, Sunderland v Manchester United, Swansea v Southampton, Leeds v Middlesbrough, Crewe v Walsall, Gillingham v Barnsley, Scunthorpe v Southend, Wycombe v Exeter, Hamilton v Dundee United.

Best draws: Sunderland v Manchester United, Swansea v Southampton, Scunthorpe v Southend, Wycombe v Exeter, Hamilton v Dundee United.

Best weekend away bets: West Ham, Cardiff, Birmingham, Swindon, Cambridge, Aberdeen.

Best weekend home bets: Bournemouth, Everton, Brighton, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, Doncaster, Accrington, York, Hearts.


Pick of the draws: Sunderland fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Liverpool last Saturday, having lost unluckily at home to Manchester City in their previous Premier League match. Although they are second bottom, they are showing bags of spirit and capable of holding Manchester United, whose hopes of finishing in the top four are fading. Swansea are moving clear of the relegation zone but face difficult opponents in Southampton, who have not conceded in their past five games. This includes a gritty goalless draw at Arsenal. Be prepared for another low-scoring encounter. Southend have put their blip behind them to become strong play-off contenders in League One and are on course for at least a point against mid-table Scunthorpe. Wycombe have climbed into the League Two play-off positions after their midweek victory at Dagenham & Redbridge. However, their home form is nothing to shout about, which is why I believe improving Exeter will come away with a point on Saturday. Dundee United's turnaround in fortunes has probably come too late to save them from relegation to the Scottish Championship but it should be enough to claim parity at Hamilton, who are in danger of the drop themselves.

Away days: West Ham's excellent chance of finishing in the top six of the Premier League should be enhanced by victory at Norwich, who are third from bottom after losing five consecutive matches. They are also leaking lots of goals. Cardiff, who lie ninth in the Championship, are a "must" selection at bottom club Charlton, who are in turmoil on and off the pitch. Birmingham, who are one place above Cardiff, must also be fancied at third-from-last Rotherham, who sacked manager Neil Redfearn after their 2-1 defeat by Bolton last weekend. Swindon gained a creditable point in a goalless draw at high-flying Gillingham in League One last Saturday. I'm taking them to get the maximum three from their visit to bottom-of-the-table Colchester. Cambridge have hauled themselves into League Two play-off contention with some good results and I expect them to maintain that run at lowly Stevenage. Aberdeen are giving Celtic a real run for their money at the top of the Scottish Premiership. They have won eight games on the road and I think they'll make it nine at Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Monday.

Homes sweet homes: Bournemouth were disappointing when losing 2-0 at home to Arsenal last Sunday and they will be eager to make amends when they host Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday. Stoke have fallen away alarmingly since losing their League Cup semi-final to Liverpool and they are also missing their injured defender Ryan Shawcross. League One Doncaster are remarkably inconsistent but I've a hunch they will enjoy one of their good days against Sheffield United, who too often flatter to deceive. York, bottom of League Two, made leaders Northampton work hard for their 2-0 win last weekend. They are only four points from safety and in the mood to take three points from the visit of Notts County.


Pools info: Dundee v St Johnstone (match No 45 on the coupon) is being played on Friday and is therefore void. Leeds v Middlesbrough (16) and Inverness v Aberdeen (48) are being played on Monday and will be judged by the pools panel.