Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 9-10

Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Norwich, Sunderland v Leicester, Fulham v Cardiff, MK Dons v Rotherham, Bury v Doncaster, Peterborough v Rochdale, Barnet v Leyton Orient, Morecambe v Hartlepool, Northampton v Bristol Rovers, Plymouth v Wimbledon.

Best draws: Sunderland v Leicester, Fulham v Cardiff, Bury v Doncaster, Morecambe v Hartlepool, Northampton v Bristol Rovers.

Best weekend away bets: Bournemouth, Chelsea, Oxford, Portsmouth, Accrington, Dundee.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Southampton, Derby, Middlesbrough, Reading, Barnsley, Millwall, Oldham, Sheffield United, Carlisle.


Pick of the draws: Sunderland, who are fighting for their Premier League lives, were desperately unlucky not to beat West Bromwich Albion last Saturday. The table suggests they have little chance against the league leaders but Leicester have found goals hard to come by lately and it wouldn't surprise me if they dropped a couple of points on Sunday. Down at the wrong end of the Championship, Fulham can breathe a little easier after two consecutive wins. Cardiff, their opponents on Saturday, are contenders for a play-off place and gained a creditable point in a goalless draw at Burnley in midweek. Doncaster, battling relegation from League One, halted a terrible run of results by drawing at Rochdale last Saturday. I believe another draw is on the cards at Bury, who have not fulfilled their early-season promise. Hartlepool's revival in League Two ended with a midweek defeat at Carlisle but they have banished the fear of relegation and look good for a point at Morecambe. Bristol Rovers, third in League Two with 10 away victories to their credit, will fancy their chances of getting something at leaders Northampton, although it's a question of when, rather than if, the Cobblers will be promoted.

Away days: Bournemouth have recently been battered by Manchester City (home) and Tottenham (away) and will be anxious to return to winning ways in the Premier League. There are few more accommodating opponents than a rudderless Aston Villa, who are doomed to relegation. Chelsea have not lost in the league since Guus Hiddink took over as manager and may even finish the season in the top six. I rate their chances at Swansea, who have only scored 15 goals at home this campaign. League Two promotion favourites Oxford made League One Barnsley work hard for their win in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley last Sunday and will surely be too strong for Crawley. Portsmouth, who lie sixth, have been efficient on their travels and should be backed at Dagenham & Redbridge, who seem certain to drop out of the Football League. Accrington, whose away wins are into double figures, are a confident selection at Luton, who often stumble at home. Dundee, after putting five past Ross, held leaders Celtic to a goalless draw in the Scottish Premiership in midweek and I expect them to see off Hamilton.

Homes sweet homes: Reading are progressing under Brian McDermott's managership and must be fancied against Birmingham, whose Championship play-off hopes have almost disappeared after consecutive defeats by Charlton (away) and Brighton (home). Oldham's form near the foot of League One has also picked up and they are worth a punt against third-placed Walsall, who have wobbled recently as their hopes of automatic promotion fade. High-flyers Gillingham are also stumbling. They visit Sheffield United, who defeated Walsall last weekend and are capable of beating anybody on their day.


Pools info: Nottingham Forest v Brighton (No 19 on coupon) is being played on Monday and will be judged by the pools panel. Hearts v Aberdeen (49) will be played on Friday and is void.