Pools tips and best bets for weekend of February 27-28

Ten draws: West Bromwich Albion v Brighton, Barnsley v Millwall, Middlesbrough v Cardiff, Rotherham v Reading, Plymouth v Lincoln, Rochdale v Burton,  Kilmarnock v Dundee Utd, Sevilla v Barcelona, Mainz v Augsburg, Union Berlin v Hoffenheim.

Best draws: West Brom v Brighton, Middlesbrough v Cardiff, Rochdale v Burton, Kilmarnock v Dundee United, Mainz v Augsburg.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Fulham, Liverpool, Queens Park Rangers, Norwich, Blackpool, Exeter.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, Leeds, Leicester, Tottenham, Preston, Peterborough, Swindon, Bolton, Forest Green, Newport.

Pick of the draws: Brighton were desperately unfortunate to lose 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace on Monday and it's hard to envisage another hard-luck story at West Brom. However, West Brom, second from bottom of the Premier League, were themselves unlucky not to win at Burnley last Saturday when their 10 men deserved more than a goalless draw. Mick McCarthy has transformed Cardiff from mid-table also-rans to Championship promotion contenders since he became manager but a trip to Middlesbrough may check their progress. Burton, the League One's bottom club, have defeated Hull (home) and Charlton (away) in the past few weeks and are in better form than their hosts Rochdale, who are only six places above them. Kilmarnock v Dundee United is a clash between out-of-form sides in the Scottish Premiership and neither will be confident of winning. Lowly Mainz caused an upset by beating Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 away last weekend and could share the spoils with Augsburg in the German League.

Away days: Fulham's recent 2-0 victory at Everton, thoroughly deserved, gave them a much needed boost in their fight to avoid relegation to the Championship. Of the three teams in the Premier League relegation zone, Fulham have the best chance of staying up and are worth a wager against erratic Crystal Palace. It's hard to believe that Liverpool are now as low as sixth but they are fancied to stop the rot at struggling Sheffield United. Queens Park Rangers are improving each week and well capable of adding to Birmingham's misery near the foot of the Championship. Norwich, with a 10-point lead at the top, will surely prevail against relegation favourites Wycombe. If Blackpool, of League One, can come away from Portsmouth with maximum points, they can do likewise at Charlton, whose promotion hopes are fading. Exeter are back in the League Two promotion frame after beating Colchester in midweek and I think they'll see off Crawley.

Homes sweet homes: Manchester United's incredible away record in the Premier League - they have not lost all season - must end sometime and I believe it will at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Chelsea's tails are up and they have yet to lose under new manager Thomas Tuchel. Leeds are devilishly difficult to predict these days but they beat Southampton at home with something to spare in midweek and I'm tipping them to gain another three points against Aston Villa, who will be without the injured Jack Grealish. Swindon have moved out of the League One drop zone by defeating Crewe 2-1 (home) and drawing 2-2 at Lincoln, who have their sights on promotion. They can climb further away from danger with a win against Northampton, who are second from last. 

 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of February 20-21

Ten draws: West Ham v Tottenham, Queens Park Rangers v Bournemouth, Reading v Middlesbrough, Gillingham v Bristol Rovers, Motherwell v St Johnstone, St Mirren v Livingston, Valencia v Celta Vigo, AC Milan v Inter Milan, Genoa v Verona, Cologne v Stuttgart.

Best draws: Queens Park Rangers v Bournemouth, Gillingham v Bristol Rovers, Motherwell v St Johnstone, Valencia v Celta Vigo, AC Milan v Inter Milan.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Manchester City, Barnsley, Swansea, Sunderland, Plymouth, Harrogate.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday, Accrington, MK Dons, Peterborough, Cheltenham, Salford.

Pick of the draws: Championship promotion contenders Bournemouth, still to appoint a new manager, were held to a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest last Saturday and improving QPR could also deny the south-coast side. The form of League One Gillingham resembles a yo-yo. Because of their inconsistency, I rate Bristol Rovers' chances of nicking a draw, especially as Rovers belied their lowly placing with a convincing 3-1 home victory over promotion-seeking Portsmouth in midweek. Motherwell crashed back to earth in the Scottish Premiership when they lost 4-1 at home to struggling Hamilton last Saturday. I can't see them getting more than a point against St Johnstone. Two draw specialists, Valencia and Celta Vigo, play each other in the Spanish League, which is a good reason for thinking this will end all square. First and second in the Italian League, Inter Milan and AC Milan respectively, meet in the San Siro, where a draw is the most likely outcome.

Away days: Manchester City, the Premier League's runaway leaders, have already beaten Arsenal twice this season - in the league and League Cup - and there's no reason why they shouldn't make it a hat-trick of wins at the Emirates on Sunday. City look invincible at the moment. Barnsley, mid-table in the Championship, played well in defeat against Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round last week and did even better when defeating high-flying Brentford away 2-0 last Sunday. As they also beat Blackburn at home in midweek, they'll start favourites at Bristol City, who have lost six games in a row. I expect Swansea to strengthen their promotion challenge by prevailing at Huddersfield, who are slipping dangerously close to the relegation zone. Sunderland's resounding 4-1 home victory over League One promotion rivals Doncaster was a sign they are finding top gear and they will visit bottom club Burton with confidence. Plymouth are one of the most improved teams in this division and look a good bet at Rochdale. In League Two, I believe Harrogate, who are steadily climbing the table, will have too much for Scunthorpe.

Homes sweet homes: Fulham's 2-0 triumph at Everton was one of the upsets of last weekend and I fancy them to win their "relegation six-pointer" against Sheffield United, who were well beaten at West Ham in midweek. Liverpool's recent lapses at Anfield have been astonishing but they had an excellent result against Leipzig in the Champions League  and I believe they'll return to winning ways in the Premier League against their fierce foes Everton. Sheffield Wednesday's attempts to avoid relegation to League One took a knock in midweek when they lost at Stoke but they are well worth a wager against Birmingham, who have slumped to second bottom in the Championship.

Pools info: I got five out of nine draws last weekend, with the matches at Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Eibar, Torino and Werder Bremen ending all square. My other draw selection, the match between Rotherham and Queens Park Rangers, was postponed.

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

Ten draws: Brighton v Aston Villa, Leicester v Liverpool, Birmingham v Luton, Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth, Rotherham v Queens Park Rangers, Dundee United v Livingston, Eibar v Valladolid, Villarreal v Real Betis, Torino v Genoa, Werder Bremen v Freiburg.

Best draws: Brighton v Aston Villa, Leicester v Liverpool, Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth, Rotherham v Queens Park Rangers, Villarreal v Real Betis.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Manchester United, Swansea, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Tranmere, Celtic.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Everton, Manchester City, Southampton, Brentford, Norwich, Charlton, Plymouth, Cambridge, Carlisle, Morecambe.

Pick of the draws: By beating Tottenham (home) and Liverpool (away), Brighton have put some distance between themselves and the Premier League's bottom three. They are playing well enough to deny Aston Villa, who are much improved from last season. Although Liverpool have lost that winning feeling at Anfield, they have recently won away at West Ham and Tottenham. They can hold on to fourth position by drawing at Leicester, who are just above them. Bournemouth, sixth in the Championship, caused an FA Cup upset by winning at Burnley in midweek but they may find Nottingham Forest a tougher proposition because Chris Hughton's team have revived recently. Rotherham, battling against relegation to League One, had a midweek setback against Cardiff but they should collect at least a point against Queens Park Rangers. In the Spanish League last weekend, Real Betis gave Barcelona a good game before going down 3-2. If they play as well at higher-placed Villarreal they'll get something.

Away days: Manchester United will be bitterly disappointed if they come away from woeful West Brom on Sunday with anything less than maximum points. Championship promotion challengers Swansea will deservedly start firm favourites at lowly Sheffield Wednesday. Home wins against Crewe (2-0) and Ipswich (2-1) have put League One Peterborough back in the promotion frame. I'm taking them to make it three consecutive victories when they visit Blackpool. Portsmouth, who are only one place below Peterborough, are better away than at home, which Crewe may discover. Promotion-chasing Tranmere, of League Two, surprisingly lost at home to Stevenage in midweek but I'm tipping them to make amends at bottom club Grimsby. The Scottish Premiership title may have gone but Celtic still have their pride and will probably see off St Johnstone.

Homes sweet homes: Southampton will be hurting after their 9-0 debacle at Manchester United and losing 3-2 to nine-men Newcastle and I have a feeling they'll take it out on Wolves. Inconsistency has let Charlton down in League One this season but they are still in with a shout for promotion and I think they'll be three points better off after playing Gillingham on Saturday. Plymouth followed a 2-2 draw at Portsmouth by winning 1-0 at Accrington in midweek and they'll fancy their chances against Fleetwood. 

Weekend pools info: Celta Vigo v Elche (No.27 on coupon) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of February 6-7

Ten draws: Aston Villa v Arsenal, Sheffield United v Chelsea, Wolves v Leicester, Barnsley v Derby, Coventry v Watford, Juventus v Roma, Udinese v Verona, Augsberg v Wolfsburg, Freiburg v Borussia Dortmund, Hoffenheim v Eintracht Frankfurt.

Best draws: Aston Villa v Arsenal, Sheffield United v Chelsea, Wolves v Leicester, Barnsley v Derby, Juventus v Roma.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Brighton, Manchester City, Brentford, Hull, Cambridge, Walsall.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Newcastle, Tottenham, Bournemouth, Luton, Swansea (Friday), Accrington, Portsmouth, Exeter, Newport, Tranmere.

Pick of the draws: Arsenal's seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League was ended in freakish circumstances at Molineux in midweek and they will be determined to avoid a repeat in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Aston Villa. Bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United are starting to pick up points, which gives them a puncher's chance against Chelsea, who have won their first two matches under new manager Thomas Tuchel. Like many teams in this strange season, Leicester are more comfortable away than at home and will be disappointed with anything less than a point at Wolves. Despite Derby's damaging 3-0 Championship defeat at Rotherham in midweek, don't be surprised if Wayne Rooney's players hold the better-placed Barnsley. Roma are matching Juventus stride for stride in the Italian League and can share the spoils.

Away days: Beating Tottenham (home) and Liverpool (away) will have done wonders for Brighton's morale and I fancy they'll make it a hat-trick of wins at Burnley on Saturday. The match of the weekend is at Anfield on Sunday where Premier League leaders Manchester City are the visitors. Unlike reigning champions Liverpool, City have been magnificent lately and I believe they'll come out on top. Nobody underestimates the quality of second-placed Brentford in the Championship. Having beaten Wycombe 7-2 at home last Saturday and won again in midweek, the Bees will probably come away from Middlesbrough with three points. League One leaders Hull look an away banker at bottom club Burton and Cambridge, who top League Two, will be confident of success at Barrow. Mid-table Walsall will be hot favourites at Southend, who prop up the division.

Homes sweet homes: Southampton, who were thrashed 9-0 at Manchester United in midweek and are in free-fall, visit St James's Park on Saturday when hosts Newcastle will never have a better chance of gaining maximum points. Luton and Huddersfield are almost next to each other in the Championship and this is a fixture where I think ground advantage will count. Norwich, the clear Championship leaders, have failed to score in their past two matches and Swansea, who are bang in form, are well equipped to cash in on that.

Weekend pools info: Leeds v Crystal Palace (No.4 on coupon) is being played on Monday and will be assessed by the pools panel.