Wednesday, 16 March 2022

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.

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