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.

 

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

 Ten draws: Brentford v Newcastle, Brighton v Aston Villa, Blackpool v Reading, Millwall v Sheffield United, Accrington v Wycombe, Wimbledon v Doncaster, Lincoln v Gillingham, Plymouth v Rotherham, Walsall v Hartlepool, Raith v Partick.

Best draws: Brentford v Newcastle, Brighton v Aston Villa, Millwall v Sheffield United, Accrington v Wycombe, Walsall v Hartlepool.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Manchester City, Ipswich, Harrogate, Northampton, Kilmarnock, Grimsby.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Southampton (Friday), Manchester United, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Peterborough, Cheltenham, Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan, Wrexham.

Pick of the draws: Three wins and a draw from their past four Premier League games have given Newcastle renewed hope of avoiding relegation and they visit Brentford, whose form has deserted them. Brighton and Aston Villa, who meet on Saturday, will be anxious to recover from poor home results last weekend. Brighton lost 3-0 to Burnley and Villa went down 1-0 to Watford. I expect a stalemate. Although Sheffield United are contesting a Championship play-off placing, they may have to settle for a draw at Millwall, who beat promotion-seeking Queens Park Rangers 2-0 in their previous home match. Wycombe's League One promotion challenge is faltering and they go to Accrington, who are usually a tough nut to crack. Lowly Walsall's victory at League Two leaders Forest Green was perhaps the biggest upset last weekend. They play 12th-placed Hartlepool, who won at Colchester in midweek.

Away days: Manchester City's defeat against bogey team Tottenham last Saturday has ignited the Premier League title race. City will be anxious to resume winning ways as soon as possible and I believe they'll do that at Everton, whose top-flight status is threatened. I think Ipswich, mid-table in League One, will add to Morecambe's relegation worries. Harrogate, of League Two, seem more comfortable away than at home. They won 3-1 at Bradford City in midweek and I recommend them at Barrow. Northampton should strengthen their promotion challenge at Rochdale and I expect Kilmarnock to do likewise when they visit struggling Dunfermline in the Scottish Championship. Grimsby, of the National League, will be banking on three points at rock bottom Dover.

Homes sweet homes: Bournemouth's last two Championship matches have been postponed but I'm tipping them to shake off their rustiness and boost their chances of automatic promotion when they host Stoke. Peterborough's manager Darren Ferguson resigned this week, with Posh so far failing to win a league fixture in 2022. However, they will never have a better chance of arresting their slide towards relegation when they play out-of-sorts Hull on Saturday. Wigan's excellent midweek victory at Wycombe has put them in the driving seat for automatic promotion from League One and they are worth backing against Sunderland, who continue to drop points. 

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

Ten draws: Southampton v Everton, Wolves v Leicester, Luton v West Brom, Cambridge v Accrington, Charlton v Oxford, Fleetwood v Lincoln, Shrewsbury v Morecambe, Sunderland v MK Dons, Newport v Mansfield, Scunthorpe v Rochdale.

Best draws: Southampton v Everton, Wolves v Leicester, Luton v West Brom, Charlton v Oxford, Sunderland v MK Dons.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Swindon, Airdrieonians. 

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Aston Villa, Brighton, Manchester City, Cardiff, Coventry, Stoke, Exeter, Forest Green, Hartlepool, Oldham.

Pick of the draws: Southampton have caught the eye by winning at Tottenham and holding Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford. However, their home form has been less convincing and a much improved Everton, under new manager Frank Lampard, can come away with a point. Wolves have scored only eight league goals at home this season, which makes me think that inconsistent Leicester have a chance of getting something at Molineux on Sunday. West Brom, ninth in the Championship, may have changed their manager but they are still goal-shy and go to Luton, who are just one place below them. Charlton's progress in League One has stalled recently and they may struggle to beat Oxford, who are pushing hard for the play-offs. Sunderland v MK Dons is a clash of promotion hopefuls and although Sunderland are formidable at home, I'm tipping the Dons, who have won eight away matches, to gain a point.

Away days: Chelsea, buoyed by their Club World Cup victory, will be eager to make up lost ground on Liverpool in the Premier League and they have a good opportunity to do that at mid-table Crystal Palace. Middlesbrough have become a Championship force under manager Chris Wilder and three points at Bristol City will strengthen their promotion challenge. The away banker of the day must surely be Portsmouth, who visit Crewe, the League One's bottom team who have lost their last six games and seem doomed to relegation. Plymouth, who gave Chelsea such a fright in the FA Cup and are in the promotion mix, are recommended at third from last Gillingham. Swindon, away specialists in League Two, look a good bet at struggling Carlisle while Airdrieonians, second in Scottish League One, will fancy themselves at lowly Peterhead.

Homes sweet homes: Cardiff continue to climb the Championship table after a disastrous start to the season and are worth backing against mid-table Blackpool. Hartlepool, of League Two, have won at Crawley and beaten Tranmere at home in their past two matches. I've a hunch they'll make it three in a row against high-riding Sutton, who have stumbled recently. The managerial appointment of John Sheridan has perked up Oldham, who can suddenly see an escape route from relegation. I believe they'll be even more optimistic after they've played Bradford City on Saturday.

Pools info: I correctly predicted six of ten draws last weekend: Brentford 0 Crystal Palace 0; Leicester 2 West Ham 2; Lincoln 1 Wycombe 1; Morecambe 1 Gillingham 1; Barrow 0 Stevenage 0 and Bristol Rovers 0 Mansfield 0.