Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 29-30

Ten draws: Southampton v Hull, West Bromwich v Leicester, Barnsley v Burton, Queens Park Rangers v Nottingham Forest, Wimbledon v Oldham, Bristol Rovers v Millwall, Cheltenham v Hartlepool, Doncaster v Exeter, Mansfield v Portsmouth, Dunfermline v Morton.

Best draws: Southampton v Hull, Barnsley v Burton, Wimbledon v Oldham, Cheltenham v Hartlepool, Doncaster v Exeter.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Colchester, Wycombe, Blackpool.

Best weekend home bets: Crystal Palace, Brighton, Leeds, Reading, Charlton, Fleetwood, Rochdale, Cambridge, Yeovil, St Mirren.


Pick of the draws: Hull are making a noble effort to avoid relegation from the Premier League but they will be anxious to improve a dismal away record. They have a reasonable chance to do that at Southampton, who are becalmed in mid-table. Burton need just a point to be safe from the drop from the Championship and I wouldn't bet against them at Barnsley, who have already drawn 10 matches at home this season. In League One, mid-table Wimbledon seem to be going through the motions, which should suit their visitors Oldham, who, against the odds, have managed to stay in the division. Whoever wins between strugglers Cheltenham and Hartlepool in League Two will probably stay in the Football League but as both sides are alarmingly off-colour I'm predicting a point apiece. Doncaster have taken their foot off the pedal since being assured of promotion and it wouldn't surprise me if they were held by Exeter. The Grecians are in the play-off positions and have won more matches on the road than any League Two team apart from Plymouth.

Away days: Manchester City, despite their FA Cup semi-final loss against Arsenal last Sunday, are a confident choice at Middlesbrough, who are surely destined for the drop. Bournemouth must have high hopes of a third away victory of the season at Sunderland, who are in an even worse state than Middlesbrough. In the Championship, Aston Villa are worth a wager at Blackburn, who look as if they are on their way down. Colchester, who still have a faint chance of making the League Two play-offs, must be thinking they only have to turn up to see off a demoralised Leyton Orient. Other play-off hopefuls, Wycombe, will be travelling to those generous hosts Morecambe (13 home defeats) while Blackpool ought to continue their late surge by winning at Notts County.

Homes sweet homes: Keith Hill's Rochdale are capable of beating any League One team on their day and I've a feeling Sunday will be their day - the final League One weekend of the season. This is provided they play well against highly respected opponents in Bradford City, who have already booked their play-off place. In League Two, I believe lowly Yeovil will cash in on the slump suffered by Stevenage and I'm backing St Mirren, second from last in the Scottish Championship, to climb above Raith by beating them. St Mirren's recent form has been as good as anybody's after looking certs for relegation.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 22-23

Ten draws: Swansea v Stoke, Huddersfield v Fulham, Nottingham Forest v Reading, Sheffield Wednesday v Derby, Bury v Northampton, Oldham v Rochdale, Colchester v Plymouth, Newport v Accrington, Stevenage v Mansfield, Braintree v Barrow.

Best draws: Swansea v Stoke, Huddersfield v Fulham, Bury v Northampton, Colchester v Plymouth, Stevenage v Mansfield.

Best weekend away bets: Everton, Ipswich, Charlton, Southend, Carlisle, Aldershot.

Best weekend home bets: Bournemouth, Hull, Brentford, Bristol City, Wolves, Blackpool, Exeter, Hartlepool, Bromley, Dover.


Pick of the draws: Swansea's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League have faded and I cannot see them getting more than a point from the visit of Stoke, who regained their faltering confidence by beating Hull 3-1 at home last Saturday. Fulham have recently been the most impressive of all the teams occupying play-off positions in the Championship and a draw is not beyond them at Huddersfield, who lie third. League One strugglers Bury gained a creditable point in a goalless draw at Bolton in midweek but their home record leaves much to be desired (11 defeats) and they may have to settle for a point against Justin Edinburgh's Northampton. Colchester are still in League Two play-off contention and were unlucky not to beat promoted Doncaster at home on Good Friday. They face Plymouth, another promoted club, this weekend and look good for at least a share of the spoils. Play-off hopefuls Stevenage have drawn only once at home this season but I believe they'll add to that tally against Mansfield in what seems a finely balanced contest.

Away days: Everton are fighting hard for a top-five place in the Premier League and are fancied to come away from West Ham with three points. The Hammers don't inspire much confidence these days. Mick McCarthy's Ipswich had a profitable Easter with two wins out of two, including a 3-1 defeat of Championship promotion favourites Newcastle on Monday. I think they'll make it three victories in a row at Rotherham, who are doomed to relegation. Charlton are eager to finish an indifferent League One season on a high and are hotly fancied to prevail at relegated Chesterfield. Southend can enhance their play-off aspirations by winning at lowly Shrewsbury and Carlisle, in League Two, are worth a punt at Crawley, who are finishing the season on a downer. Aldershot, who are National League play-off contenders, will surely be too strong for North Ferriby, who are destined to go down.

Homes sweet homes: Hull's home form could be their salvation as they try to stay in the Premier League and I'm backing them to defeat Watford, who are safe in mid-table but don't travel too well. Bristol City have climbed four points clear of the Championship drop zone and can move further away from trouble by beating Barnsley. Although Hartlepool are in grave danger of dropping out of the Football League, they will be relieved to be facing Barnet, who have eight points more but are in even worse form. I expect a bet on a home victory will be worthwhile.

Pools guide and best bets for April 15-17 coupon

Ten draws: Manchester United v Chelsea, Southampton v Manchester City, Stoke v Hull, Birmingham v Bolton, Cardiff v Nottingham Forest, Northampton v Shrewsbury, Walsall v Swindon, Dumbarton v Dunfermline, Raith v Morton, Stenhousemuir v Livingston.

Best draws: Southampton v Manchester City, Stoke v Hull, Birmingham v Burton, Cardiff v Nottingham Forest, Stenhousemuir v Livingston.

Best away bets: Arsenal, West Ham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bolton, Airdrieonians.

Best home bets: Everton, Brighton, Derby, Queens Park Rangers, Bristol Rovers, Charlton, Scunthorpe, Dundee, Rangers, Arbroath.

Pick of the draws: Manchester City have won more away games than anybody in the Premier League apart from leaders Chelsea but that won't guarantee them three points at Southampton, who on their day are a match for any of the top six clubs. It's easy to see off-form Stoke dropping points against Hull, who are fighting bravely against the threat of relegation. Nigel Clough's Burton continue to confound expectations in the Championship and they will be disappointed with anything less than a draw at ailing Birmingham. Neil Warnock has done a terrific job in reviving Cardiff's fortunes but Nottingham Forest should also prosper under new manager Mark Warburton and a share of there spoils is likely. As Livingston have already been crowned Scottish League One champions, they may took their foot off the pedal at bottom club Stenhousemuir, who won last Saturday and can still escape relegation. Don't be surprised if this one ends all square.

Away days: Although Arsenal are nobody's idea of a banker these days, they should still come away from their Easter Monday evening match at Middlesbrough with maximum points. If the Gunners cannot beat a goal-shy Boro side seemingly certain to go down, then a top-four finish is out of the question. I believe West Ham will pile more misery on bottom club Sunderland, who are as good as relegated and I'm backing Liverpool to prevail at West Bromwich Albion, who have rather switched off since reaching the 40-point mark. Newcastle, second in the Championship, will welcome a trip to underachieving Ipswich and Bolton, having lost at Scunthorpe in League One last weekend, will be keen to return to winning ways at Oldham. Airdrieonians, with seven victories on the road in Scottish League One this season, are recommended at lowly Stranraer. 

Homes sweet homes: Derby are determined to end a mixed bag of a season on an encouraging note and I'm taking them to defeat Huddersfield, who are five places higher in the Championship. I've a hunch that Ian Holloway's Queens Park Rangers will thwart the play-off ambitions of Sheffield Wednesday. Although Dundee are on the crest of a slump in the Scottish Premiership, they ought to have enough to beat Hamilton Academical, who have yet to record an away victory this season. 

Pools guide and best bets for April 14-15 coupon

Ten draws: Brentford v Derby, Bristol City v Queens Park Rangers, Gillingham v Bristol Rovers, MK Dons v Scunthorpe, Peterborough v Fleetwood, Blackpool v Accrington, Grimsby v Cambridge, Hartlepool v Carlisle, Bromley v Barrow, Bishop's Stortford v Gosport Borough.

Best draws: Brentford v Derby, Bristol City v Queens Park Rangers, MK Dons v Scunthorpe, Grimsby v Cambridge, Hartlepool v Carlisle.

Best away bets: Birmingham, Brighton, Southend, Dagenham & Redbridge, Eastleigh, York.

Best home bets: Huddersfield, Nottingham Forest, Bradford City, Millwall, Shrewsbury, Swindon, Exeter, Newport, Dover, Forest Green.


Pick of the draws: Derby have found an extra gear under new manager Gary Rowett but Brentford have beaten some good teams in the Championship this season and won't succumb easily. Bristol City arrested their slump with a fine 3-1 home victory over Wolves but their opponents, Queens Park Rangers, will be anxious to halt a run of three consecutive defeats and will be disappointed not to take a point. The mood at Scunthorpe has improved after beating League One promotion rivals Bolton 1-0 at home last Saturday but their hosts MK Dons have also raised their game recently. The timing of manager Marcus Bignot's dismissal at League Two Grimsby was puzzling, coming straight after the 3-1 win at Blackpool last weekend, which must have been one of their best results of the season. Russell Slade has replaced Bignot and I expect him to start with a draw against Cambridge, who have revived their hopes of a play-off place. Newport's surge has put Hartlepool in danger of relegation. A few months ago you would have had their fixture against Carlisle as an away banker but the Cumbrian team have lost their way in the second half of the season.

Away days: Birmingham have been embarrassingly poor under Gianfranco Zola in this season's Championship but even they should come away with maximum points at Rotherham, who are already relegated. Brighton have an excellent chance of ending their campaign as champions and they appear to have the mental strength to cope with a trip to rapidly improving Wolves. Southend have been edged out of the League One play-off positions but the spirit at the club is good and they will be banking on three points at Chesterfield, who are as good as down. Promotion-chasing Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League look a good bet at Boreham Wood, who are becalmed in mid-table and Eastleigh must be fancied at second from bottom North Ferriby, who have lost 14 home games this season. Finally, York, who have made an astonishing recovery, are well worth a punt at Solihull Moors, who were thrashed 9-0 at Tranmere last Saturday.

Homes sweet homes: Shrewsbury, who lie one point above the League One drop zone, can climb further away from trouble by beating mid-table Walsall. Swindon are another club struggling to stay in the division but I'm backing them to get the better of Wimbledon, who seem to be just going through the motions. Newport have given themselves a real chance of avoiding relegation from League Two. Their win at promotion-seeking Exeter was one of the results of last weekend and they will confident of following that up against fast fading Yeovil.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 8-9

Ten draws: Everton v Leicester, Burton v Aston Villa, Norwich v Reading, Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle, Coventry v Peterborough, Scunthorpe v Bolton, Accrington v Crewe, Colchester v Stevenage, Morecambe v Hartlepool, Partick v Motherwell.

Best draws: Everton v Leicester, Burton v Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle, Scunthorpe v Bolton, Accrington v Crewe.

Best weekend away bets: Wolves, Millwall, Sheffield United, Luton, Plymouth, Lincoln.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Nottingham Forest, Blackpool, Cambridge, Carlisle, Exeter, Wycombe, St Mirren.


Pick of the draws: That's six wins out of six for Leicester since Craig Shakespeare was appointed interim manager. The threat of relegation from the Premier League has almost disappeared and they are well capable of denting Everton's impressive home record. Aston Villa are really motoring in the Championship under Steve Bruce's managership but their progress could be checked by Burton, who climbed away from the relegation zone by winning at Huddersfield last weekend. Sheffield Wednesday moved back into the play-off positions when they beat relegated Rotherham away in midweek. They will find promotion favourites Newcastle a much more difficult proposition but I'm backing Wednesday to match them at Hillsborough. Bolton are giving Sheffield United a run for their money at the top of League One but hosts Scunthorpe also have promotion in their sights and a draw seems the likeliest result. Accrington continue to upset the form book in League Two. Their 1-0 victory at Plymouth, who lie second, was one of the surprises of last weekend but Crewe, their visitors, have won three consecutive away matches and they can get something here.

Away days: Wolves, who have chalked up five wins in a row in the Championship, are fancied to make it six at Bristol City, whose relegation fears increased when they crashed 5-0 at Preston in midweek. League One Millwall appear to have recovered from their blip and two successive victories have put them right back in the promotion frame. They won away against Shrewsbury in midweek and can do the same at Gillingham, who are in danger of dropping down to League Two. Leaders Sheffield United are strongly recommended at mid-table Northampton, particularly as three more points will assure them of promotion. Luton returned to winning ways in League Two when they defeated Blackpool 1-0 at home last Saturday and I believe they'll gain another three points when they visit Barnet, who have struggled recently. Second-placed Plymouth do better away than at home, which is why I think they'll have too much for Crawley, who are ending the season with a whimper. National League leaders Lincoln have Tranmere breathing down their necks, so they'll be eager to put Eastleigh to the sword.

Homes sweet homes: Relegation-threatened Middlesbrough gained a point in a goalless Premier League draw at Swansea last Sunday but draws are not much use to them now. I've a hunch they will pull something out of the bag against Burnley, whose away record is embarrassing. Although Blackburn are in dire danger of dropping into League One, they have a puncher's chance against Barnsley, who have little to play for except pride. Lowly Nottingham Forest should be more competitive now that Mark Warburton has been appointed manager, so don't be surprised if they upset high-flying Huddersfield. St Mirren seemed doomed to relegation from the Scottish Championship a few weeks ago but they are flying now and well worth a punt against Dumbarton.