Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 21-22

Ten draws: Stoke v Burnley, Birmingham v Sheffield United, Bristol City v Hull, Derby v Middlesbrough, Leeds v Barnsley, Doncaster v Oxford, Cambridge v Cheltenham, Wycombe v Accrington, Bromley v Boreham Wood, Dagenham & Redbridge v Maidenhead.

Best draws: Stoke v Burnley, Birmingham v Sheffield United, Bristol City v Hull, Derby v Middlesbrough, Bromley v Boreham Wood.

Best weekend away bets: Crystal Palace, Wolves, Aston Villa, Blackpool, Macclesfield, Woking.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Cardiff, Preston, Sunderland, Rotherham, Scunthorpe, Barnet, Notts County, Swindon, Leyton Orient.


Pick of the draws: Although Stoke's chances of remaining in the Premier League have probably vanished as a result of their 1-1 draw at West Ham on Monday, they have enough spirit and cussedness to make life difficult for Burnley on Sunday. Burnley are striving for a Europa League place next season but this is no easy assignment. Sheffield United, contenders for a Championship play-off place, have dropped quite a few points lately and I can see the same thing happening against Birmingham at St Andrew's. Birmingham, who are fighting to stay up, look a better proposition under manager Garry Monk and can nick a point here. I believe that Hull's 1-0 home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday last weekend was only a temporary blip and I'm confident they can get something at Bristol City, who are not the force they were earlier in the season. Derby are having their usual late-season collapse. That shock 3-1 defeat at Burton last Saturday must have shaken them and will have encouraged their visitors Middlesbrough, who are fellow play-off candidates. Boreham Wood can strengthen their hold on the National League play-off positions by sharing the spoils at Bromley.

Away days: Crystal Palace, whose 3-2 home victory over Brighton last Saturday put them six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, are recommended at Watford, who are ending the season lamely. Wolves, already assured of promotion to the top flight, will be in the mood to celebrate at Bolton, whose only concern is staying in the Championship. Fourth-placed Aston Villa must fancy themselves at Ipswich, who are marooned in mid-table with little to play for save pride. Blackpool are finishing the League One season with a flourish (three consecutive wins) and look a good thing at Gillingham, who seem to have switched off. A win for Macclesfield on Saturday will guarantee them promotion to the Football League and I think the National League leaders will realise their ambition at Eastleigh. Woking have slid into the National League relegation zone and are desperate for points. I believe they'll get them at bottom club Guiseley, who are doomed to relegation.

Homes sweet homes: The chances of Sunderland avoiding relegation for the second season in a row are almost zero but a home fixture against fellow sufferers Burton at least gives them the opportunity of recording their third home success of the Championship campaign. Barnet, second from bottom of League Two, have three matches left and really need to win all of them to have a realistic chance of avoiding relegation. They are worth backing against mid-table Newport. Leyton Orient have improved under manager Justin Edinburgh and are worth a punt against Wrexham, who are ending the season on a low.


Pools info: Everton v Newcastle (match No 4 on coupon) has been moved back to Monday and will be assessed by the pools panel. Millwall v Fulham (16) and Blackburn v Peterborough (21) are being played on Friday and Thursday respectively so are therefore void.