Pools tips for this weekend April 23-24

Treble chance (home teams): Aston Villa, Blackpool, Wolves, Derby, Portsmouth,  Cheltenham, Barrow, Airdrie, Brechin, East Stirling.


Best draws: Aston Villa, Blackpool, Derby, Portsmouth, Airdrie.


Aways: Arsenal, Bristol City, Southampton, Bournemouth, Shrewsbury.


Homes: Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Hull, Watford, Bristol Rovers, Walsall, Aldershot, Gillingham.




Pick of the draws: After last Sunday's sensational 5-0 victory over Bolton in the FA Cup semi-final by Stoke, a visit to Aston Villa will hold no fears. Although Villa have improved markedly in recent weeks I believe Stoke will end their barren run away from home. Alarm bells are ringing at Blackpool, who have slipped into the relegation zone for the first time this season. They will be stretched to gain more than a point against Newcastle. Derby came away with a creditable goalless draw at Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers on Monday and look good for another against visitors Burnley, who are making a late charge for a play-off place. Swansea's promotion challenge is being hindered by indifferent away form and Portsmouth can make life even more difficult for them at Fratton Park. Livingston are assured of promotion from the Scottish second division, so they may take their foot off the pedal at Airdrie.


Away days: Although Arsenal keep shooting themselves in the foot, they should have too much for Bolton, who are reeling from their heavy FA Cup semi-final defeat at Wembley. I expect Bristol City to increase Sheffield United's misery at the foot of the Championship. Brighton have already won promotion from League One and are unbeaten at home. However, if any team can defeat them at the Withdean stadium it is Southampton, who seem the best of the other promotion candidates. Bournemouth arrested their slump by winning at Notts County last weekend and are tipped to hand out similar treatment to Yeovil.  In League Two, in-form Shrewsbury should be backed to collect three points at Hereford and enhance their claims for promotion.

Homes sweet homes: Hull, chasing a Championship play-off place, must be fancied to beat Middlesbrough. Despite Watford being one of the most unpredictable teams in the League, I am sure they will get the better of Barnsley, who have nothing to play for except pride. Take a chance on relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers against Charlton, who are ending their League One season on a real downer. Lowly Walsall are 10 points worse off than their visitors Sheffield Wednesday but their recent results have been more impressive, so they are a fair bet for maximum points.  

Pools tips for this weekend April 16-17

Treble chance (home teams): Bristol City, Hull, Swindon, Tranmere, Accrington, Stevenage, Forest Green, Hayes & Yeading, Morton, East Stirling.

Best draws: Bristol City, Tranmere, Accrington, Stevenage, Forest Green.

Aways: Huddersfield, Oldham, Hereford, Kidderminster, AFC Wimbledon.

Homes: Cardiff, Middlesbrough, Preston, Carlisle, Bury, Crewe, Grimsby, Hibernian, Dunfermline.


Pick of the draws: Ipswich have thrived in the Championship since Paul Jewell became manager and will be confident of getting something from their trip to Bristol City. Tranmere and Dagenham & Redbridge are making spirited attempts to avoid relegation from League One. They play each other on Saturday and both had good results last weekend (Tranmere 2-1 at Bournemouth, Dagenham 3-1 against Notts County). It is difficult to separate them. I'm taking Oxford United to end Accrington's run of eight consecutive home wins in League Two. I fancy Aldershot, the division's form team, to hold promotion-seeking Stevenage, who have already drawn nine home matches this season. In the Blue Square Bet Premier, hosts Forest Green tend to draw at home (eight) while visitors Cambridge United tend to draw away (also eight).

Away days: Third-placed Huddersfield are in good nick at the moment, unlike their League One opponents Charlton, who have slipped out of the promotion reckoning and into mid-table. Oldham are playing better than their recent results suggest and are worth a punt at Yeovil, whose home record is nothing to write home about. Hereford's fine away form (eight wins on the road) has kept them out of the League Two relegation zone and they could be on course for another victory at Rotherham, who have lost momentum. In the Blue Square Bet Premier it is impossible to ignore the claims of high flyers Kidderminster and AFC Wimbledon, who travel to last but one Eastbourne and bottom club Histon respectively.

Homes sweet homes: Middlesbrough are upwardly mobile under Tony Mowbray and should continue their climb in the Championship with victory over Barnsley. Preston are showing the best form of the clubs threatened by relegation and I predict they will hammer the final nail in Sheffield United's coffin. In League One, Carlisle will have been boosted by their Johnstone Paints Trophy win at Wembley two weeks ago and can see off Colchester. Crewe have won four and drawn one of their past five home games in League Two. That sequence will surely be too much to handle for lowly Lincoln, who have acquired the losing habit.

Pools tips for this weekend April 9-10

Treble chance (home teams): Tottenham, Wolves, Derby, Ipswich, Millwall, Swansea, Colchester, Bradford, Oxford, Aberdeen.


Best draws: Tottenham, Derby, Ipswich, Millwall, Oxford.


Aways: West Brom, Queens Park Rangers, Middlesbrough, Walsall, Shrewsbury.


Homes: Blackburn, Bolton, Chelsea, Manchester United, Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers, Dagenham & Redbridge, MK Dons, Barnet.




Pick of the draws: Tottenham will probably have a hangover from their heavy Champions League defeat  by Real Madrid and Stoke, who played well in drawing against Chelsea last week, are well equipped to take advantage. Coventry have arrested their slide in the Championship since the departure of manager Aidy Boothroyd and I fancy them to share the spoils at Derby. Improving Crystal Palace are due a good away result and could get it at higher-placed Ipswich, who have lost more league games than they have won at Portman Road. There is no love lost between Millwall (8th) and Leeds (5th) and I predict deadlock at the New Den. In League Two, Oxford and Wycombe are two other teams who are closely matched. 


Away days: West Bromwich Albion have made great strides under Roy Hodgson and will move further away from relegation by beating Sunderland, who are only six points off the drop zone and fading fast. Runaway Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers look nailed on to defeat bottom club Scunthorpe and Middlesbrough are likely to prevail at struggling Sheffield United, who are seven points away from safety. In League One, Walsall are worth a punt against Plymouth, who appear doomed, while in League Two, promotion-hunting Shrewsbury can gain their 10th win on the road by beating Aldershot. 


Homes sweet homes: Blackburn to follow up their well-earned draw against Arsenal last Saturday by beating fellow relegation strugglers Birmingham. Bristol Rovers are on a roll in League One and having already defeated Bournemouth this week, are expected to take a step nearer safety by overcoming Exeter. I'm tipping Dagenham & Redbridge (21st) to make life even more difficult for managerless Notts County (20th). Crewe may have scored eight against Cheltenham last Saturday but they have lost their last nine away matches in League Two. Next-to-bottom Barnet, inspired by new manager Martin Allen and 4-1 winners at Burton last weekend, could be in the mood to cash in.

Pools tips for this weekend April 2-3

Treble chance (home teams): Stoke, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Charlton, Notts County, Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton, Bury, Hibernian, Raith.


Best draws: Stoke, West Ham, Charlton, Southampton, Raith.


Aways: Bolton, Liverpool, Tottenham, Colchester, Barnet.


Homes: Arsenal, Fulham, Manchester City, Bristol City, Cardiff, Crystal Palace, Norwich, Swindon, Crewe.




Pick of the draws: Stoke, on a high after reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, host Chelsea, who have rediscovered their form of last year. Manchester United visit West Ham, who thrashed them 4-0 in the Carling Cup quarter-finals and are making a spirited attempt to avoid relegation. I have a hunch that the Hammers will again prove a stumbling block to the Premier League leaders. Two teams who have hit the wall in League One - Charlton and Leyton Orient - play each other at The Valley and stalemate looks the likeliest outcome. Southampton are formidable at home, but MK Dons have improved out of all recognition and can get something from St Mary's. Promotion-seeking Raith are faltering in the Scottish First Division, so don't be surprised if they are held by Dundee, whose position is misleading on account of their 25-point deduction.


Away days: Bolton are a good bet to repeat their FA Cup victory over Birmingham, who have slipped into the relegation zone. Liverpool impressed when winning at Sunderland two weeks ago and must be confident of gaining another three points against West Bromwich Albion. Tottenham will be keen to avenge their early-season defeat by Wigan, who are bottom and favourites to drop into the Championship. Once proud Sheffield Wednesday are in a sorry state in League One and mid-table Colchester are equipped to take advantage. In League Two, take a chance on relegation-threatened Barnet, now under the new managership of Martin Allen, getting three points at Burton, who have games in hand on the other struggling teams, but are short of form.


Homes sweet homes: Fulham should be confident of defeating Blackpool, who are leaking too many goals as they try to stay in the Premier League. Bristol City keep climbing in the Championship and are on course to make it four consecutive home wins when Doncaster come visiting. If Crystal Palace escape relegation it will be because of their home record. Visitors Barnsley have little to play for, so Selhurst Park regulars should expect three points. Swindon are floundering in League Two, but I believe Paul Hart's side will come out on top against erratic Hartlepool. 

Pools tips for this weekend March 26-27

Treble chance (home teams): Wales, Dagenham & Redbridge, Aldershot, Bradford, Macclesfield, Port Vale, Falkirk, Airdrie, Queen's Park, Mansfield.


Best draws: Wales, Aldershot, Macclesfield, Falkirk, Mansfield.


Aways: Southampton, Chesterfield, Crewe, Southend, Morton.


Homes: Bournemouth, Leyton Orient, Oxford, Dundee, Queen of South, Alloa, Clyde, Grimsby, Wrexham.


Pick of the draws: The European Championship qualifying match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday should really be a doddle for England, but I believe Wales can cause an upset. John Terry's reinstatement as captain - and especially the way it was handled by manager Fabio Capello - has not gone down well with the England squad and is hardly the best preparation for such an important game. Wales will enjoy good support and although Gareth Bale is injured, they have players in Craig Bellamy, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley who can make life uncomfortable for England. Two of the most improved sides in League Two, Aldershot and Accrington, meet at Aldershot, where the hosts look likely to register their seventh home draw of the season. Macclesfield are pulling away from the relegation zone and can virtually ensure their safety by taking a point off League newcomers Stevenage, who have moved into the play-off positions. Falkirk (3rd) v Raith (1st) stands out in the Scottish First Division while promotion contenders Kidderminster are tipped to record their 10th away draw when they visit middle-of-the-table Mansfield in the Blue Square Bet Premier. 


Away days: It is impossible to overlook the claims of Southampton at bottom League One club Plymouth, runaway League Two leaders Chesterfield at troubled Barnet and Southend at seemingly doomed Stockport. Crewe are a less obvious choice, having lost their last half a dozen away matches, but they have a chance of stopping the rot and avenging their opening-day defeat against Hereford, who have won only two matches on their own ground. In the Scottish First Division, Morton, who won at Cowdenbeath this week, look an even better bet to prevail at lowly Ross.


Homes sweet homes: Leyton Orient slipped up against Dagenham & Redbridge in League One this week, but I expect them to resume winning ways against Yeovil. Don't be surprised if Peterhead's travel sickness - they have not won away in the Scottish Second Division all season - continues at Alloa. Clyde are rooted to the foot of the Third Division, but it's probably worth backing them against third-from-last Montrose, who are pretty feeble themselves. In the Blue Square Bet Premier, Grimsby should make the most of ground advantage against Tamworth and fourth-placed Wrexham are tipped to strengthen their play-off claims by defeating Welsh rivals Newport.