Pools tips and best bets for weekend of March 25-26

Ten draws: Scotland v Slovenia, Northampton v Oxford, Scunthorpe v Bradford City, Cambridge v Stevenage, Colchester v Luton, Bromley v Chester, Eastleigh v Gateshead, Guiseley v Dover, Woking v Maidstone, Ayr v Dumbarton.

Best draws: Scotland v Slovenia, Scunthorpe v Bradford City, Cambridge v Stevenage, Colchester v Luton, Guiseley v Dover.

Best weekend away bets: Fleetwood, Rochdale, Bristol Rovers, Bolton, Mansfield, Boreham Wood.

Best weekend home bets: Portugal, Wimbledon, Gillingham, Accrington, Blackpool, Exeter, Portsmouth, Wycombe, Sutton, Tranmere.


Pick of the draws: Scotland face an uphill task to qualify for next year's World Cup finals and I don't think their situation will improve after their match against Slovenia at Hampden Park on Sunday. Of the League One promotion candidates, Bradford City look a better bet than Scunthorpe at the moment and City can stay above their rivals with a point on Sunday. Stevenage's away record is the main reason for their high placing in League Two and I'm backing them to carry on the good work at Cambridge, whose home form is nothing to shout about. Luton, also in the promotion shake-up, have drawn nine away matches this season. I've a hunch they'll make it 10 at Colchester, who appear to be a fading force. Guiseley once seemed certain to be relegated from the National League but they've improved so much since the new year that I can see them getting something from the visit of promotion-seeking Dover.

Away days: Fleetwood's hopes of automatic promotion from League One have taken a knock recently but they should get back on course at Bury, who are not yet safe from the drop. Although Rochdale's poor away form has held them back, a trip to Chesterfield, who look doomed, ought to hold no fears, especially as Dale have rediscovered their attacking flair. Bristol Rovers have coped well with the departure of their ace striker Matt Taylor and will be eager to put more points on the board at bottom club Coventry on Saturday. Bolton's rich vein of form looks like continuing at Shrewsbury, who are only two points off the relegation zone and Mansfield, ninth in League Two, will be fancying their chances at Morecambe, who slumped to their 12th home defeat of the season in midweek. Boreham Wood, mid-table in the National League, beat FA Cup giant-killers Lincoln 2-0 at home in midweek. That should send their confidence soaring when they visit bottom club Southport.

Homes sweet homes: Although Southend have moved into the League One play-off places, an away game against Wimbledon is always a banana skin and I've a hunch Wimbledon will cause an upset here. Gillingham have underachieved this season but so have their Saturday opponents Peterborough, whose hopes of promotion via the play-offs have almost disappeared. Ground advantage may be the crucial factor and I believe the Gills will take maximum points. It's admirable how Accrington keep punching above their weight in League Two. They've now a real chance of ending the season in the top half of the table and I'm tipping them to defeat Grimsby, who are just three points better off.


Pools info:  The matches Charlton (No 15 on coupon) and Walsall (23) have been postponed because of international calls and will be decided by the pools panel.