Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 14-15

Ten draws: Newcastle v Arsenal, Swansea v Everton, Nottingham Forest v Ipswich, MK Dons v Doncaster, Plymouth v Portsmouth, Walsall v Wimbledon, Accrington v Exeter, Crawley v Coventry, Newport v Swindon, Gateshead v Eastleigh.

Best draws: Newcastle v Arsenal, Plymouth v Portsmouth, Walsall v Wimbledon, Crawley v Coventry, Newport v Swindon.

Best weekend away bets: Derby, Northampton, Mansfield, Notts County, Barnet, Fylde.

Best weekend home bets: Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Hull, Queens Park Rangers, Wolves, Oldham, Wigan, Luton, Solihull Moors, Inverness Caledonian Thistle.


Pick of the draws: The sun is finally coming out for Newcastle after a troubled season. Consecutive wins over Huddersfield (1-0 home) and Leicester (2-1 away) enabled them to move into the top half of the Premier League and on Sunday they host Arsenal, who have already lost eight away matches this campaign and may be a bit "leggy" after their midweek Europa League trip to Moscow. Plymouth, who lie fifth in League One, were not wholly convincing in defeating Peterborough at home last weekend. This should encourage Portsmouth, who are only two places and one point behind them. Walsall and Wimbledon, two teams fighting to avoid relegation from League One, meet on Saturday and a point apiece is the likeliest outcome. Coventry's League Two play-off place has been endangered by defeats against Yeovil (6-2 home) and Notts County (2-1 away) but I think they'll salvage something at Crawley, who are more vulnerable at home than away. Newport have drawn more home games (10) than any other League Two side. Don't be surprised if that becomes 11 against Swindon, whose best results this season have come on their travels.

Away days: Promotion-seeking Derby are a "must" selection at Burton, who lost 5-0 at home to Hull in midweek and will almost certainly be saying goodbye to the Championship at the end of the season. Northampton's chances of escaping relegation from League One look bleak but there's an excellent opportunity of maximum points at Bury, who are rock bottom and seemingly doomed. Mansfield, in contention for a League Two play-off place, cannot buy a win at the moment but that should change at Chesterfield, who appear to be losing their battle to stay up. Notts County emerged from an indifferent spell by beating Coventry last Saturday and they are still in with a shout of automatic promotion. They are worth a punt at mid-table Colchester. Victory for Barnet at fellow strugglers Grimsby would put the cat among the pigeons in the League Two relegation scrap and I've a hunch that Martin Allen's team will do it. Fylde are in fine form in the National League and are recommended at lowly Maidstone.

Homes sweet homes: Crystal Palace have the goal power to ensure they stay in the Premier League and I'm backing them to defeat their fierce rivals Brighton on Saturday. Hull are making great strides in the Championship under manager Nigel Adkins - nine goals in their past two games - and are fancied to make Sheffield Wednesday their next victims. QPR can generally be relied on at home and are my tip to overcome Preston, whose play-off hopes have faded. Oldham, admittedly at the wrong end of League One, are capable of upsetting Gillingham, who seem to have forgotten how to score.


Pools info: Aston Villa v Leeds (No 9 on coupon) is now being played on Friday and is therefore void.