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

Ten draws: Middlesbrough v Southampton, West Ham v Liverpool, Real Sociedad v Malaga, Fiorentina v Lazio, Roma v Juventus, Torino v Napoli, Leipzig v Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen v TSG Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg v Borussia Monchengladbach, Twente v Groningen.

Best draws: Middlesbrough v Southampton, West Ham v Liverpool, Roma v Juventus, Torino v Napoli, Wolfsburg v Borussia Monchengladbach.

Best weekend away bets: Arsenal, Swansea, Chelsea (Friday), Motherwell, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund.

Best weekend home bets: Crystal Palace, Everton (Friday), Manchester City, Tottenham, Dundee, Kilmarnock, Rangers, Tranmere, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal.


Pick of the draws: Middlesbrough's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Monday when they were outplayed by leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but mid-table Southampton, their opponents on Saturday, have little incentive save pride, so Boro could nick a point. Liverpool are making hard work of clinching a Champions League place. They are arguably playing West Ham at the wrong time as the Hammers have found a bit of form and beat Tottenham last Friday. Liverpool were held to a goalless home draw by Southampton last weekend, so don't be surprised if they slip up again. Juventus, Champions League finalists and Italian champions-elect, may have to settle for a draw at second-placed Roma, who beat AC Milan 4-1 away last weekend. Napoli, in third, are also enjoying a fine season and can share the spoils with Torino. Although Wolfsburg won 2-0 away to Eintracht Frankfurt in last weekend's German League, they will probably find Borussia Monchengladbach a tougher proposition.

Away days: Stoke is not a happy hunting ground for Arsenal but their greater need for Premier League points could tip the scales in their favour. Arsene Wenger and his players also know that they owe themselves a good performance away from home. If Swansea win their final two matches they will escape the dreaded drop. Although their hosts, bottom club Sunderland, upset the form book last Saturday by winning at Hull, I'm backing the Welshmen to gain maximum points, particularly after playing so well in defeating Everton at home. Victory at West Bromwich on Friday will confirm Chelsea as deserved champions and I expect the London team to get the job done. I've a hunch Motherwell will prevail at Hamilton in the battle of the strugglers in the Scottish Premiership. Despite suffering disappointment in the Champions League semi-final, Atletico Madrid will be strongly fancied at Real Betis in the Spanish League. In the German League, Borussia Dortmund seem a sound bet at Augsburg.

Homes sweet homes: Three consecutive defeats have put Crystal Palace in danger of relegation again but victory against Hull at Selhurst Park on Sunday will ensure their Premier League safety. There is little to choose between these lowly teams but on this occasion I believe ground advantage will be crucial. Sunday will be Tottenham's last match at their White Hart Lane ground and they will want to sign off in style against Manchester United, who are clearly prioritising the Europa League. Dundee have perked up in the Scottish Premiership recently and three points against Ross County will confirm they are moving in the right direction. It's the National League play-off final at Wembley on Sunday and Tranmere, who finished the season in second place, get my vote for promotion over Forest Green Rovers, who came third.



Pools info: Everton v Watford (No 3 on coupon) and West Bromwich v Chelsea (9) are playing on Friday, so these matches will be void.