Wednesday, 9 December 2020

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of December 12-13

Ten draws: Wolves v Aston Villa, Derby v Stoke, Nottingham Forest v Brentford, Doncaster v Gillingham, Ipswich v Portsmouth, Lincoln v Sunderland, Swindon v Fleetwood, Forest Green v Cambridge, Salford v Cheltenham, St Johnstone v Livingston.

Best draws: Wolves v Aston Villa, Derby v Stoke, Ipswich v Portsmouth, Lincoln v Sunderland, Salford v Cheltenham.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Tottenham, Liverpool, Watford, Accrington, Rangers, Hibernian.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Leicester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Blackpool, Bristol Rovers, Peterborough, Carlisle, Morecambe, Celtic.

Pick of the draws: Wolves were beaten 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday and it could have been more. However, Aston Villa have also slipped up recently and stalemate looks the likeliest outcome. Derby's 1-0 win at Millwall last weekend lifted them off the foot of the Championship table but they face a Stoke side who are contesting the play-off places. However, they have shown enough improvement under Wayne Rooney's interim management to gain a draw. Portsmouth are coming on strong in League One and will fancy their chances of at least a point at Ipswich, even though Ipswich came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Plymouth last Saturday. I believe Sunderland have made a good managerial appointment in Lee Johnson. They face a tough test at second-placed Lincoln, which I think they'll pass. Cheltenham, strong promotion contenders in League Two, may have to settle for a share of the spoils at Salford, who will probably be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

Away days: Premier League leaders Tottenham are the pride of London at the moment and should account for Crystal Palace, although Palace scored five at West Brom last Sunday. Liverpool, having crushed Leicester (3-0) and Wolves (4-0) at Anfield, won't fear a trip to Fulham, who are just above the relegation zone. Watford regained their composure and third place with a midweek 2-0 home victory over Rotherham in the Championship and I reckon they'll have too much for goal-shy Birmingham. In League One, Accrington, now lying seventh, continue to confound the pundits and are recommended at bottom club Wigan. Rangers, 11 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, look banker material at Dundee United and Hibernian will also start firm favourites at Hamilton.

Homes sweet homes: Cardiff, with four consecutive Championship wins behind them, have the momentum and I'm tipping them to see off Swansea in the Welsh derby. Bristol Rovers are finding the net again under Paul Tisdale's managership, having beaten non-League Darlington 6-0 in the FA Cup second round and put four past Wimbledon last weekend. They are worth a punt against Plymouth, who are fading fast. Neil Lennon is coming under intense pressure at Celtic, who are out of the Europa League and are way behind Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Despite all the speculation and unrest, I believe they'll stop the rot against Kilmarnock on Sunday.


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