Wednesday, 31 January 2024

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of February 3-4

 Ten draws: Arsenal v Liverpool, Chelsea v Wolves, Huddersfield v Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough v Sunderland, Norwich v Coventry, Burton v Lincoln, Barrow v MK Dons, Salford v Wrexham, Tranmere v Crewe, Motherwell v Kilmarnock.

Best draws: Huddersfield v Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough v Sunderland, Burton v Lincoln, Salford v Wrexham, Tranmere v Crewe.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Aston Villa, Southampton, Leicester, Plymouth, Celtic, Chesterfield.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Bournemouth, Burnley, Blackburn, West Bromwich, Fleetwood, Leyton Orient, Colchester, Mansfield, Stockport, Rangers.

Pick of the draws: Huddersfield, who sacked manager Darren Moore after a 1-1 away draw with fellow Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers last Sunday, are finding it hard to escape from the danger zone. They host Sheffield Wednesday, who are in an even worse position, but there's no guarantee of a home win. Middlesbrough's confidence must have been damaged by their 6-1 defeat at Chelsea in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final, whereas Sunderland's morale was boosted when they beat Stoke 3-1 at home last Sunday. Burton and Lincoln, both in mid-table in League One, are goal-shy and I predict a low-scoring stalemate. At first glance, Salford v Wrexham, in League Two, looks an away banker but lowly Salford are unbeaten in their past four games under new manager Karl Robinson and came from behind to win at promotion-seeking Crewe last weekend. Crewe's unexpected 3-2 home loss last Saturday was probably just a blip but Tranmere are much improved and can gain a point.

Away days: I'm tipping Aston Villa to make an immediate recovery from their Premier League 3-1 home midweek defeat by Newcastle. Villa visit Sheffield United, who appear certain to make an instant return to the Championship. Southampton's 22-match unbeaten run doesn't look in any danger at Rotherham, who are bottom of the Championship. Leicester increased their lead at the top with a 3-1 midweek home victory over Swansea and should win again at Stoke. I'm backing Plymouth to record their first away success this season at ailing Swansea. Celtic, the Scottish Premiership leaders, start strong favourites at manager-less Aberdeen while Chesterfield, 16 points clear at the top of the National League, are highly recommended at Eastleigh.

Homes sweet homes: I believe it's worth a punt on Premier League strugglers Burnley to beat Fulham, who on their worst days could lose to almost anybody. Fleetwood, bottom of League One and with a new manager in Charlie Adam, face an uphill battle to stay up. However, they showed some spirit and desire in a 2-2 draw at Wycombe last Saturday, which should serve them well against Port Vale, who are slipping nearer the drop zone. Mansfield, third in League Two, have stumbled recently, losing 1-0 at home to Crewe, drawing 1-1 at home with second-last Sutton and losing 2-1 away to Wimbledon. Despite these setbacks, I'm backing them to defeat fellow promotion candidates Notts County.



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