Wednesday, 19 April 2023

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of April 22-23

Ten draws: Brighton v Manchester United, Bournemouth v West Ham, Bristol City v Rotherham, Norwich v Swansea, Port Vale v Bristol Rovers, Wimbledon v Swindon, Barrow v Carlisle, Doncaster v Newport, Tranmere v Grimsby, St Johnstone v Hibernian.

Best draws: Brighton v Manchester United, Bournemouth v West Ham, Bristol City v Rotherham, Port Vale v Bristol Rovers, Doncaster v Newport.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Aston Villa, Wolves, Watford, Salford, Partick, Notts County.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Arsenal (Friday), Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Newcastle, Burnley, West Bromwich, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Stockport, Dundee United.

Pick of the draws: Although I think Manchester United will eventually win this FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, I feel a highly talented and well coached Brighton side will at least take them to extra time. Consecutive away victories at Leicester (1-0) and Tottenham (3-2) have made Bournemouth believe that they can avoid relegation from the Premier League but they may meet stiffer resistance from West Ham, who came from 2-0 down at home to Arsenal last Sunday to draw 2-2 and have also reached the Europa Conference semi-finals. Rotherham, fighting to preserve their Championship status, deserved their point when they denied promotion-bound Burnley at home in midweek. I'm taking them to gain another at Bristol City. In League One, Port Vale, having sacked manager Darrell Clarke, made high-flying Ipswich work very hard for their 2-1 midweek home win and that should encourage them against Bristol Rovers. Doncaster v Newport in League Two features two teams with little to play for except pride, so don't expect many fireworks.

Away days: Unai Emery's Aston Villa are irresistible at the moment and are worth backing at Brentford, who have gone off the boil. Wolves' position in the Premier League is much healthier after home successes against Chelsea (1-0) and Brentford (2-0) and I'm tipping them to increase Leicester's misery. Watford, who are underperforming in the Championship, finally woke up by beating Bristol City 2-0 at home last Saturday. Maybe that gives them a fighting chance at mid-table Hull. Promotion-seeking Salford, from League Two, returned to winning ways when they defeated Hartlepool 2-0 at home in midweek. I fancy them to gain another three points at Walsall, who are having a terrible time. Partick, improving in the Scottish Championship, are a confident selection at struggling Hamilton and Notts County, second in the National League, look an away banker at Maidstone, who have already been relegated. 

Homes sweet homes: Newcastle were well beaten at Aston Villa last Saturday but they'll be determined to  bounce straight back on Sunday against Tottenham, who appear to lack confidence and belief. Two Championship away wins in a row at Stoke (2-1) and Blackpool (2-0) have moved West Bromwich Albion  into promotion contention and they will be favourites to edge out Sunderland, who frequently fall short. After beating Hibernian (home) and Motherwell (away), both by 2-1, Dundee United, bottom for so long, now seem likely to stay in the Scottish Premiership. I expect them to take maximum points off Livingston. 

Pools info: I scored six out of ten draws last weekend and four of my five best draws were correct, namely Blackburn v Hull (0-0), MK Dons v Cheltenham (2-2), Shrewsbury v Portsmouth (1-1) and Carlisle v Northampton (0-0). 

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