Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 2-3

Ten draws: Wolves v Aston Villa, Cardiff v Swansea, Queens Park Rangers v Fulham, Morecambe v Burton, Plymouth v Oxford, Bristol Rovers v Bradford City, Newport v Exeter, St Johnstone v Livingston, Albion v Elgin, Stranraer v Forfar.

Best draws: Wolves v Aston Villa, Queens Park Rangers v Fulham, Morecambe v Burton, Bristol Rovers v Bradford City, Albion v Elgin.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Fleetwood, Port Vale, Airdrieonians, King's Lynn.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, Leeds, Bournemouth, Coventry, Sunderland, Wycombe, Forest Green, Tranmere, Dundee, Solihull.

Pick of the draws: Aston Villa are the only Premier League side not to have drawn away this season. I've a hunch that will change on Saturday when they visit Wolves, who are one place above them. Both teams are striving for consistency. Poor recent results have led to Queens Park Rangers falling out of the Championship play-off positions. They will be anxious to rectify that against runaway leaders Fulham, who were held at relegation-threatened Barnsley earlier this month. Although Morecambe are in the League One relegation zone, they should get something from the visit of Burton, whose away form is indifferent. League Two Bradford City are better away from home, having won at leaders Forest Green and Hartlepool (both 2-0) recently. Don't be surprised if they deny high-flyers Bristol Rovers victory. Albion and Elgin, at the wrong end of Scottish League Two, came up trumps last Saturday, Albion beating Annan away 4-2 and Elgin beating Edinburgh 2-0 at home. Deadlock is the likeliest result.

Away days: With Liverpool breathing down their neck, Manchester City know that nothing less than victory at Burnley will do. As Burnley have won only twice at home this season, I can't see anything other than three points for Man City. Middlesbrough, just outside the Championship play-off places, will want to convert some of those away draws into wins and they have an excellent chance of doing that at second from bottom Peterborough. Fleetwood, one place above the League One drop zone, will start favourites at bottom club Crewe, who this season always find a way to lose. It's incredibly tight near the top of League Two and Port Vale can boost their claims for automatic promotion with maximum points at struggling Barrow. In Scottish League One, Airdrieonians, minutes away from defeating leaders Cove Rangers last weekend, should have better luck against bottom side East Fife. In the National League, third from bottom King's Lynn, surprise 2-0 home winners over fourth-placed Halifax last Saturday, are recommended at Dover, who are doomed to relegation.

Homes sweet homes: Leeds are on cloud nine after winning their past two Premier League matches with late goals - 2-1 at home to Norwich and 3-2 at Wolves. I believe they will see off Southampton, who are fading. Coventry, mid-table in the Championship, are well worth a punt against Blackburn, who have lacked goal threat and are in danger of slipping out of the play-off positions. Dundee may be bottom of the Scottish Premiership but they gave Rangers a scare a few weeks ago and could upset Aberdeen, who are far less formidable.

Pools info: As well as scoring five out of ten draws last weekend, four of my five best draws were correct. The Fab Four were Bradford City 0 Newport 0; Notts County 1 Chesterfield 1; Wealdstone 1 Bromley 1 and Farsley Celtic 1 Telford 1.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of March 26-27

Ten draws: Bradford City v Newport, Northampton v Hartlepool, Airdrieonians v Cove, Maidenhead v Barnet, Notts County v Chesterfield, Wealdstone v Bromley, Woking v Solihull Moors, Darlington v Boston, Farsley Celtic v Telford,  Kettering v Chroley.

Best draws: Bradford City v Newport, Notts County v Chesterfield, Wealdstone v Bromley, Woking v Solihull Moors, Farsley Celtic v Telford.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Tranmere, Mansfield, Falkirk, Stranraer, Stockport, Halifax.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Sheffield Wednesday, Crawley, Exeter, Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe, East Fife, Forfar, Altrincham, Torquay, Wrexham.

Pick of the draws: Although Newport were surprisingly beaten 3-2 at home by Hartlepool last Friday, they look genuine League Two promotion candidates and can strengthen their claims by coming away from improving Bradford City with a point. Notts County moved into the National League play-off places with a 1-0 home victory over FA Cup giant-killers Boreham Wood in midweek. On Saturday they host second-placed Chesterfield, whose hopes of automatic promotion have almost disappeared. Wealdstone were 2-0 up at runaway leaders Stockport before slipping to a 4-2 defeat. This should encourage them against Bromley, whose progress appears to have stalled. Mid-table Woking have yet to draw at home this season but that could change against Solihull, who are back in the promotion mix after winning 2-1 at Grimsby in midweek. Farsley Celtic, who have climbed off the bottom of National League North, host Telford, who are just above them. Deadlock is the likeliest result. 

Away days: Tranmere have automatic promotion from League Two in their sights and are unlikely to be inconvenienced by Colchester, who are near the other end of the table. After two consecutive defeats Mansfield returned to winning ways at Rochdale in midweek and another three points seem there for the taking at Oldham, who are second from bottom. Falkirk are worth backing at struggling Peterhead in Scottish League One and Stranraer, 2-1 winners at Edinburgh last Friday, are tipped to prevail at Stirling in Scottish League Two. Stockport, 10 points clear at the top of the National League, look an away banker at Eastleigh while third-placed Halifax will start firm favourites at lowly King's Lynn.

Homes sweet homes: Leyton Orient, of League Two, are at last responding to the management of Richie Wellens, beating Rochdale 3-1 at home on Saturday and Harrogate 3-0 away in midweek. I believe they'll make it a hat-trick of wins against Barrow on Saturday. Scunthorpe are as good as down from League Two but they may gain some respite when they host Harrogate, who appear to be in free-fall. Although East Fife prop up Scottish League One, they have a fighting chance against Alloa, who have shown nothing special.

Weekend pools info: Swindon v Forest Green (No.12 on coupon) has been postponed because of international call-ups and will be assessed by the pools panel.

Pools info: Five of my ten draws were correct last weekend: Gillingham v Sheffield Wednesday (0-0), Fleetwood v Doncaster (0-0), Lincoln v Sunderland (0-0), Harrogate v Walsall (1-1) and Sutton v Tranmere (1-1). 

 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of March 19-20

Ten draws: Tottenham v West Ham, Huddersfield v Bournemouth, Charlton v Burton, Fleetwood v Doncaster, Gillingham v Sheffield Wednesday, Lincoln v Sunderland, Harrogate v Walsall, Northampton v Bristol Rovers, Sutton v Tranmere, St Mirren v Dundee United.

Best draws: Tottenham v West Ham, Charlton v Burton, Lincoln v Sunderland, Northampton v Bristol Rovers, Sutton v Tranmere.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Manchester City, Blackburn, Bolton, Swindon, Exeter, Hibernian.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Crystal Palace, Leicester, Queens Park Rangers, Cheltenham, Rotherham, Wigan, Bradford City, Mansfield, Salford, Chesterfield.

Pick of the draws: Tottenham don't do draws - only three in the Premier League this season - but on Sunday they may break their habit against West Ham, who continue to exceed expectations. Charlton ended a barren run in League One by beating Gillingham 1-0 at home in midweek but I believe mid-table Burton will provide stiffer opposition and come away with a point. Consecutive home victories over  Fleetwood and Crewe have put Sunderland in the promotion frame but Lincoln defeated highly regarded Sheffield Wednesday at home recently and can share the spoils. Bristol Rovers, the form team of League Two, have climbed into the play-off positions and they can force a draw at Northampton, who are in second place. Sutton, the high-flying Football League newcomers, have lost two in a row, which leaves them vulnerable to the visit of fourth-placed Tranmere, who have beaten Mansfield and Harrogate at home in the past week. 

Away days: Manchester City, the Premier League leaders, rued some missed chances when held to a goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Monday. I believe they'll take their frustration out on Southampton in the FA Cup sixth round on Sunday and will complete the job in 90 minutes. Blackburn, seeking promotion from the Championship, finally rediscovered their goal touch when beating Derby 3-1 in midweek and I'm tipping them to win again at Reading, who are close to the drop zone. In League One it's impossible to ignore Bolton's claims at bottom club Crewe, who are the division's whipping boys, having lost 12 of their last 13 matches. Swindon's outstanding away form in League Two gives them a good chance of victory at Crawley and Exeter are also recommended at second from bottom Oldham. Scottish Cup semi-finalists Hibernian are fancied to prevail at lowly Aberdeen in the Premiership. 

Homes sweet homes: Crystal Palace, with no other distractions, can concentrate on trying to win the FA Cup for the first time and they will start favourites in their quarter-final against crisis club Everton on Sunday. Leicester's long injury list is clearing up, which should give them a decisive edge when they host Brentford in the Premier League. I sense that Bradford City, now managed by Mark Hughes, are just getting into their stride after successive away wins over League Two leaders Forest Green and Hartlepool. They are worth a punt against Port Vale, even though Vale have scored seven goals in their past two games.

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

Ten draws: Everton v Wolves, West Ham v Aston Villa, Cardiff v Preston, Millwall v Middlesbrough, Ipswich v Portsmouth, Wycombe v Rotherham, Scunthorpe v Colchester, Walsall v Sutton, Motherwell v Hibernian, Queen of the South v Raith.

Best draws: West Ham v Aston Villa, Cardiff v Preston, Ipswich v Portsmouth, Walsall v Sutton, Queen of the South v Raith.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Liverpool, Tottenham, Sheffield United, Northampton, Newport, Partick.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, Leeds, Blackburn, Blackpool, Nottingham Forest, Milton Keynes Dons, Sunderland, Bristol Rovers, Forest Green, Halifax.

Pick of the draws: The manner of Aston Villa's 4-0 home victory over Southampton last Saturday suggests that they can get something from their trip to West Ham, even though the Hammers played well when losing narrowly at Liverpool. Cardiff and Preston, who face each other, had good results in last weekend's Championship, Cardiff winning away at Queens Park Rangers and Preston beating Bournemouth at home. Preston are one of the division's draw specialists and they could share the spoils again. Portsmouth, six wins and a draw in their past seven games, are making a charge for the League One play-offs but may have to settle for a point at Ipswich, who are also in fine form. In League Two, I'm tipping improving Walsall to hold Sutton, despite the Football League newcomers reaching the Papa John's Trophy final in midweek as well as being in the hunt for promotion. Queen of the South, although second from bottom of the Scottish Championship, can frustrate Raith, who crashed 4-0 at home to Ayr last Saturday.

Away days: The quadruple is still on for Liverpool and I expect them to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City with a win against goal-shy Brighton at Saturday lunchtime. It's impossible to know what Tottenham are going to do next but they seem in better shape than Manchester United, their hosts, and are well worth a punt at Old Trafford. Sheffield United have given themselves a great chance of making an instant return to the Premier League and are fancied to take three points at Coventry, who are fading. Northampton, second in League Two, will be disappointed not to come away from Carlisle with maximum points and much the same can be said for promotion-seeking Newport, who travel to struggling Stevenage. Partick, doing well in the Scottish Championship, are recommended at Morton.

Homes sweet homes: Leeds, under new managership, were unlucky to lose at Leicester last weekend and I believe they'll put that right on Sunday against Norwich, the Premier League's bottom team. Automatic promotion from League One is a distinct possibility for MK Dons. After defeating leaders Rotherham 2-1 away last Saturday with 10 men and then beating Cheltenham 3-1 at home in midweek, I'm backing the Dons to achieve a hat-trick of victories when they host second-placed Wigan on Saturday. Bristol Rovers, steadily climbing League Two, are a confident bet against mid-table Harrogate.

Pools info: There were only six score draws on the coupon last weekend and I got three of them: Leyton Orient 2 Stevenage 2; Salford 1 Forest Green 1 and Dundee United 2 Hearts 2.

Betting info: Eight of my ten homes were correct last weekend: Liverpool, Newcastle, Huddersfield, Middlesbrough, Oxford, Plymouth, Sutton and Arbroath.

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

Ten draws: Aston Villa v Southampton, Wolves v Crystal Palace, Hull v West Bromwich, Stoke v Blackpool, Cheltenham v Doncaster, Gillingham v Bolton, Leyton Orient v Stevenage, Newport v Bristol Rovers, Salford v Forest Green, Dundee United v Hearts.

Best draws: Aston Villa v Southampton, Hull v West Bromwich, Gillingham v Bolton, Newport v Bristol Rovers, Salford v Forest Green.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Arsenal, Sunderland, Wycombe, Sheffield Wednesday, Walsall, Stockport.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Liverpool, Newcastle, Norwich, Huddersfield (Friday), Middlesbrough, Oxford, Plymouth, Crawley, Sutton, Arbroath.

Pick of the draws: Southampton have moved into the top half of the Premier League and can collect a point at Aston Villa, who have been very up and down under Steven Gerrard. The appointment of Steve Bruce as manager has failed to stop West Brom's startling slide. But although they have slipped into the bottom half of the Championship, they should at least get something at Hull. Gillingham have given themselves a fighting chance of avoiding relegation from League One and they play Bolton, who are not at their best on their travels. Bristol Rovers are now in serious contention for League Two promotion and can hold close rivals Newport, who have already drawn six at home. Runaway leaders Forest Green, but without a win in three matches, won't find it easy at Salford, who are steadily climbing the table.

Away days: Arsenal have won three on the trot in their attempt to fill the Champions League places and will probably make it four when they visit relegation-threatened Watford on Sunday. Sunderland's 3-0 victory at second-placed Wigan last weekend was a big boost to their League One promotion hopes and I think they'll win again at Charlton. Wycombe returned to winning ways in midweek by beating Cambridge 3-0 at home and will surely be too strong for Crewe, who appear doomed to relegation. Sheffield Wednesday are in a rich vein of form and I'm tipping them to increase Lincoln's worries. Walsall, in League Two, have revived under Michael Flynn's management. They held promotion-seeking Northampton to a 1-1 draw in midweek and are recommended against third from bottom Barrow. National League leaders Stockport will be aiming for their 12th away win of the season at lowly Aldershot.

Homes sweet homes: Newcastle may be below Brighton in the Premier League but they are in much better form, having won four of their past five games. They are well worth a wager on Saturday. Norwich, who are bottom, will never have a better chance of a home victory. They host Brentford, who have taken only one point from their past eight matches. Middlesbrough, eighth in the Championship, were terrific when knocking Tottenham out of the FA Cup in midweek and can capitalise on the feel-good factor by defeating Luton, who have climbed into the play-off positions.