However, it's particularly difficult this week with so many issues being decided during the final weekend.

In the Championship, while the temptation was to find a game which had little or no consequence, such is the situation at the top and bottom that almost every fixture has something resting on it!

Therefore, I'm looking for a team that has a proven record over the entire season: so step forward Ipswich Town.

The Horses have the best home record in the division and with a chance of creeping into the Play-Offs, they will be going all out for victory at Portman Road.

Visitors Hull City could still, mathematically, go up automatically - however, the matter is outside their control as they need other results to go their way. And with third place and pole position in the Play-Offs already guaranteed, Phil Brown's side could be excused for 'looking after themselves' in this one - especially if word comes through that scores at other venues are not conducive to them climbing into the top two.

With only one defeat in their last eight, Ipswich have found some form at a very late stage after threatening to fall away from the promotion race. As their own fate depends on so many other results, they will have to play for a win throughout and then see where it takes them.

At a price around [2.38], I'm making Town to be the first part of the treble.

In League One I'm going against the champions and backing Brighton to finish the season with a home victory over Swansea.

The Welsh club have done the hard part - getting promoted - and done it in style by wrapping up the league title to boot.

So, with the inevitable players' celebratory holiday probably already on the Swansea squad's minds, I'm suggesting Brighton can wrap up an above-expectations season with a win.

The Seagulls flirted with the play-off places until very recently, but they are not seventh in the table for no good reason, and their home form is particularly impressive: four wins in their last five at the Withdean.

Therefore, at a price of about [2.42], I'm siding with the Albion.

Finally, I'm looking to pray on a miserable period in the history of Rotherham United for my selection in League Two.

Millmoor is shrouded in doom as the club counts the cost of a second period in administration and a generally uncertain future. The Millers have taken some real pastings in recent weeks (4-1 v Rochdale, 5-1 v Morecambe), and they probably feel they have the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Contrast that with visitors Barnet, just one place below them in the table. Safely in mid-table and clearly thriving on rounding off their season with no pressure on them - they ended Stockport's automatic promotion hopes last weekend to make it three wins in four games.

The Bees can capitalise on the gloom at Rotherham, and I'm backing them at [2.04].

So, the French Connection for the last weekend of the regular season is Ipswich (at [2.38]), Brighton (at [2.42]) and Barnet (at [2.04]), for a treble that pays around the [11.7] mark.

While a few Blades fans may grumble that finding this sort of form a bit earlier would have put them at the heart of the promotion battle, Kevin Blackwell has still given his side a squeak of clambering into the play-offs.

Last week's 2-0 victory over in-form Hull City - achieved with 10 men for 45 minutes after Chris Morgan was sent off - made it seven wins in nine for the Bramall Lane club.

To have any chance of being involved in the play-off picture on the final weekend of the season they must win again on Saturday - and although fellow promotion hopefuls Bristol City are never easy to beat, I think United could well continue their purple patch.

Having been up with the pace all season, the Robins deserve a crack at the play-offs, but just one win in nine games has left them scrambling around for the points required to be certain.

They have lost each of their last three away games and, with a noisy crowd packed into Bramall Lane, I'm taking United to grab the points at [2.26].

If you follow the action by watching Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, then hope that Jeff Stelling has little to cheer about - because I'm taking Nottingham Forest to win at the presenter's beloved Hartlepool United.

The Pools' season was largely over some time ago and they are nicely tucked away in mid-table. They were beaten at Brighton last week and they have lost their last two home games at Victoria Park.

Forest looked set for the play-offs at best when they lost at home to Carlisle in early March, but a run of 13 points in the last five games has revitalised the season for Colin Calderwood's men, and they are now only three points behind Carlisle who currently sit in the second automatic promotion place.

A play-off berth is guaranteed for Forest, so they can afford to go for it at Hartlepool, and I think they will be rewarded - I'm including them in the treble at [1.85].

We have been championing the cause of relegation-haunted sides battling against the drop from League Town into the Conference, and I'm sticking with teams in bother this week by backing Notts County.

Visitors Wycombe Wanderers are already safe in the knowledge that they will be involved in the play-offs, and so it would be no surprise if Paul Lambert chose to rest a player or two.

It's a very different scenario for County, who are only two points above the drop zone.

This is their last home game and with a trip to Chesterfield on the last day, this is clearly the better opportunity for the Football League's oldest club to grab three vital points.

County must win - I'm saying they will at odds of [2.26].

Therefore, this week's French Connection is Sheffield United (at [2.26]), Nottingham Forest (at [1.85]) and Notts County (at [2.26]), a treble that pays around the [8.5] mark.

With a new manager and a new chairman, the last thing the Sky Blues want is to drop down to League One - so they must beat Colchester at Layer Road this weekend. With a derby against Wolves and then a potentially tricky away journey to Charlton on the last day, Coventry will feel the trip to Essex this weekend represents their best chance of securing three points which could be enough to keep them up.

City have lost their last two, but they were against teams in the top six and there was an element of bad luck about both defeats. Prior to that they had been beaten just once in seven, and although they haven't been prolific scorers, they would settle for nicking a one-goal win.

And Colchester is the ideal place to be hoping to do so. Relegated already, they have the worst home record in the division and have conceded 35 goals in the league at Layer Road this season, far more than any other team.

It might not be pretty, but I think Coventry will get the result they crave - so I'm backing them at [2.3].

In League One, Gary McAllister will be only too aware that he and his Leeds United team must focus on winning what games they have left, and not on the outcome of arbitration.

Therefore, they will be well fired up for a trip to struggling Millwall, who are still not completely out of the woods at the foot of the table.

However, although the London club needs the points I don't think they will be able to handle a Leeds team that has really turned out some impressive results of late, beating fellow promotion hopefuls Carlisle, Doncaster, Brighton and Walsall.

The midweek defeat at Huddersfield will only heighten their need to win this one.

With promotion an essential for this once great club, I'm including Leeds at [2.0].

Into League Two, and I'm hoping that Mansfield Town are going to take what will surely be their last chance to save themselves from relegation into the realms of non-league football.

The Stags have spent much of the season under the 'dotted line' in the league table alongside Wrexham, but with a win over Shrewsbury this weekend possibly moving them to within a point of safety, it's now or never for the Field Mill club.

A battling draw at Macclesfield last time out made it only one defeat in five games for Paul Holland's side. They may not have a great home record but the Shrews are pretty awful on their travels, and have not won on the road in 10 outings, dating back to before Christmas.

They'll not get a better chance to make their bid for safety - so I'm backing Mansfield at [1.86].

That makes this week's French Connection Coventry (at [2.3]), Leeds (at [2.06]) and Mansfield (at [2]), for a treble that pays around [8.5].

The Addicks even fell a goal behind at Plymouth after having seeing Nicky Weaver dismissed for handling outside the box - yet two goals from Leroy Lita earned a most unlikely 2-1 success, and now the Addicks have what must surely be a final chance to secure a play-off berth.

They have four games left, three of them against teams currently in the bottom seven - and I'm taking them to beat struggling Southampton at The Valley this weekend to kick off my treble.

Charlton have been pretty woeful of late, let's make no bones about it: one win in 10 games before the success at Home Park confirms that. But the way they dug in at Plymouth in the face of such adversity suggests Alan Pardew may have summoned one last charge from a squad that, admittedly on paper, looks one of the strongest in the Championship.

The Saints enjoyed a vital win over Bristol City last weekend but their current form is even worse than their hosts: one victory in 14 games before last weekend. Away from home they have gone 12 games without a win, during which time they have conceded 23 goals.

Therefore, with Lita starting to find the form that made him such a force for Reading, I am backing Charlton at [1.92].

With Oldham on the way up and Orient on the slide, backing the Latics at [1.92] makes up the second part of this week's French Connection.

With the top five some way clear of the rest, there is really only one play-off place left to fight for in League One, and although Oldham are enjoying a late flurry, they are probably just too far behind to get involved in the scrap.

However, their recent home form - three wins out four and ten goals scored - should be good enough to see off Orient, who really have landed on a League One snake after appearing to be at the foot of a ladder earlier in the season.

The O's won seven of their opening nine league games and looked like promotion contenders. However, lately they have looked more like relegation fodder as they have lost their last four games and scored just one goal in the process.

A play-off place may be unlikely but all Oldham can do is take maximum points from their remaining games, and I think that will start with victory over Orient.

It's a similar story in League Two as we get involved in a game featuring two teams moving in opposite directions.

Struggling Dagenham and Redbridge are only four points clear of second-bottom Mansfield and will be looking over their shoulders. The Daggers enjoyed a February renaissance with four wins in as many games, but it's far less impressive them of late and they have not won in seven outings.

Contrast that with Rochdale who come into this weekend's game on the back of five straight victories. The Dale have had to pack games in as they catch up on games postponed earlier in the season due to their poor playing surface at Spotland.

However, the run of games in quick succession has enabled them to get up a head of steam, and they now sit in a play-off position. That will, I believe, be cemented with victory at Victoria Road this weekend - so I'm backing Rochdale at [2.04].

That gives us a French Connection backing Charlton at [1.92], Oldham at [1.92] and Rochdale at [2.04] - a treble that pays around the [7.5] mark.

Town make the relatively short journey to Essex knowing just a point will lift them into a play-off place as sixth-placed Wolves don't have a game. However, Jim Magilton's side will not get a better opportunity to take all three points and I'm backing them at [2.18] to do so.

Colchester will be relegated if they lose, and their confidence will have been shattered by last week's 4-3 defeat at West Brom where they led 2-0 and 3-2 before conceding twice in stoppage time.

Ipswich do have a particularly poor away record for a team chasing promotion, but their overall stats hide a recent upturn in their performances on the road. All of their three away-day successes have come from their last six trips, and they have shown they can handle the challenge of a team threatened with the drop by winning at both Sheffield Wednesday and Scunthorpe.

Colchester have lost four of their last five at home and have shipped an alarming number of goals recently: 21 in seven games.

Ipswich are unbeaten in three and have conceded a solitary goal in that period - I believe that run will continue and they are part one of the treble.

In League One I'm looking for two teams chasing promotion to be sharing the spoils, as I'm backing the draw between Walsall and Tranmere at [3.25].

It's a game that will be hyped as a 'six-pointer', but so often these games become tight, cagey affairs with neither side wanting to risk taking nothing home amid their pursuit of all three points.

Ronnie Moore's Tranmere have tended to be cautious on their travels this season, and with other equally tricky games to come, he'll probably be happy to come away with a point.

What's more, Walsall have drawn eight of 19 home games and Tranmere have finished level in seven of their 20 away trips. I'm expecting both to extend those records with a stalemate at the Bescot this weekend.

With the bottom two seemingly cut adrift, Notts County look set to be safe and live to fight another season in League Two.

However, the Magpies' own miserable form has certainly kept it interesting at the foot of the table, and I'll be completing this week's treble by backing Bury to beat them at Gigg Lane at [2.0].

County have won just once in their last eight games and in the process have scored a measly three goals - although they haven't fared too badly at the other end, shipping only five in the same eight-game period.

Therefore, while I'm taking Bury to make the most of home advantage, it may not be by much. But with the Shakers resurgent under Alan Knill - they've won five of their last seven - they should be able to see off County.

So, this week's French Connection is backing Ipswich at [2.18], a draw between Walsall and Tranmere at [3.25] and Bury at [2.0] - a treble that pays around the [14.0] mark.

The Sky Blues regularly kept themselves in the top flight against the odds before they finally plunged into the Championship in 2001. Now they find themselves with their heads just above water at the wrong end of the table again, and recently-appointed manager Chris Coleman has to get winning soon.

City have won only one of their last seven and scored a measly three goals in the process. However, that still isn't putting me off from including them as the first part of this weekend's treble.

Visitors Plymouth may be in a play-off place but the pack is gathering behind them, and the West Country club suffered a huge blow last weekend when influential playmaker Peter Halmosi was both stretchered off and sent off during last week's draw with Watford.

Allied to that, the Pilgrims have lost two of their last three away games, including at lowly Scunthorpe.

Coventry cannot afford to mess up this weekend - so at [2.48], I'm backing them.

In League One there's a meeting of two great rivals as Oldham Athletic host Huddersfield Town in a battle that spans the Yorkshire/Lancashire border.

Only a few weeks ago, this game may well have had some influence on the promotion picture. But both sides are stuck in mid-table, and would need to set off on a winning streak to make a charge into the play-offs.

However, although passions may be high as for any derby game, I'm expecting both teams to end the day frustrated, and further away from the top six.

Therefore, I'll be including the Oldham/Huddersfield draw in this one at [3.1] as part two of the treble.

I recently included a Mansfield home defeat in the French Connection, and their dreadful form at Field Mill didn't let me down. So, I am expecting another team with woeful results on their own turf to help me out.

Chester City have been beaten 12 times in League Two at the Deva Stadium this season, and their most recent form there is particularly awful: eight defeats in nine games.

In contrast, this weekend's visitors Stockport County are enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run, helping them maintain a push for promotion.

With 12 wins in the league this season, the Hatters have one of the best away records in the division: and here they are visiting a team with one of the worst home records!

Therefore, backing Stockport at [2.02] completes the treble.

So, this weekend's French Connection is backing Coventry (at [2.48]), a draw between Oldham and Huddersfield (at [3.1]), and Stockport (at [2.04]) - a treble that pays around the [15.6] mark.

Irvine joined a club which was in the thick of a relegation battle and there was no immediate impact as his first three games in charge ended in defeat. However, since the turn of the year they have been heading in the right direction, with their results at Deepdale underpinning their charge to safety.

They have won five of their last six home league games, beating the likes of Watford, West Brom and Stoke in that run. Back-to-back away successes have seen Preston compile a sequence of just one defeat in seven, and with only a few weeks of the season left, they are now in a position to secure their own safety.

I believe they will collect another three points this weekend against an erratic Burnley side whose promotion hopes are fading. The Clarets have won just once in their last five outings, and their previously strong away form has deserted them of late, with just one point taken from the last three road trips.

Preston have beaten Burnley on four of the last five occasions they have visited Deepdale, and I'm backing them at [2.1] to extend that run.

Doncaster let the French Connection down last week, but I'm giving them another chance as they travel on Friday afternoon to face a Yeovil side in the thick of a miserable run.

The Glovers have won just one of their last six, and it's equally bad when you isolate their home performances, with the last seven games at Huish Park providing Yeovil with only two victories.

The key stat for Donny is that have only lost consecutive games once this season; generally, they are difficult to beat, so the signs are good for an immediate return to winning ways after defeat at Brighton last weekend.

With leaders Swansea stumbling a bit of late, there is still a chance Rovers could turn automatic promotion into going up as champions, so games such as this are essential if they are to apply some pressure to the League One leaders.

Prior to that defeat at the Withdean, Donny had won five out of six on the road - and I feel the long trip to the south-west will be a happy one. I'm backing them at [2.04].

It must have been pretty miserable to be a Mansfield Town season ticket holder this term, and I feel it will be another glum Saturday night around Field Mill this weekend.

The Stags' home form is the reason they are next to bottom of League Two and staring a drop into the Conference in the face. Played 18 at home, lost 12. Teams with records like that generally struggle!

Mansfield are currently on a run of nine home league matches without a win, during which time they have scored a paltry six goals and conceded 23.

Any team with some half-decent away form will surely capitalise: step forward Grimsby Town. The Mariners have lost only one of their last 11 away league outings, and have taken eight points from their last five trips.

Available at [2.34] to back, Grimsby complete the treble.

So, this week's French Connection is backing in Preston (at [2.1]), Doncaster (at [2.04]) and Grimsby (at [2.34]) in a treble that should pay around the [10.0] mark.

Wednesday have lost just one of their last six, and there's no shame in being beaten by West Brom who are still challenging for outright promotion and the FA Cup.

The Owls have won their last two and done it the hard way on both occasions, having gone a goal down early on before winning 2-1 at Colchester and beaten QPR 2-1 at Hillsborough.

Visitors Coventry City are directly above Wednesday and their need is just as great with relegation a very real threat. However, the brief honeymoon period that the appointment of a new manager so often brings appears to be over as the Sky Blues are without a win in five, losing four of those games.

Chris Coleman's side have also struggled for goals - just three in that five-game sequence.

A win for Wednesday could see them open up a four-point cushion between themselves and the trap door, and with a couple of games in hand on those around them, Brian Laws will be keen for his side to grab their opportunity now rather than rely on taking points later on when the backlog of fixtures will create added pressure.

Therefore, I think Saturday will be good for Wednesday and will back them at [3.1].

In League One, I am taking on the formbook somewhat and suggesting that Brighton's eight-game unbeaten run at home will be ended by promotion-chasing Doncaster Rovers.

The Seagulls are flying at the moment, and the midweek victory at Walsall moved them to within three points of the play-off places with a game or two in hand on most of those around them.

However, they have undertaken a very demanding schedule of late as they make up ground following some postponements at the turn of the year. This weekend's game will be their ninth in a month.

Visitors Doncaster are as good on the road as they are at home. They have won five of their last six league away games, and kept a clean sheet in all five. Their only recent defeat on their travels came at Carlisle, who have the best home record in League One.

With automatic promotion very much in Donny's sights, I'm backing them at [2.34].

To complete this weekend's treble I am going right to the basement of the Football League. Wrexham are in dire need of points now or it's non-league football for them next season.

However, indications are they are not going down without a fight, and the midweek defeat at high-flying Wycombe was only their second in 10 games.

Visitors Bury are safely tucked away in lower mid-table and currently enjoying a three-match winning streak.

But home wins are essential if Brian Flynn's side are to climb up the table, so at [2.4], I'm adding them in.

Therefore, this week's French Connection treble is backing Sheffield Wednesday at [3.1], Doncaster at [2.34] and Wrexham at [2.4] - that should pay around the [17.4] mark.

With West Brom in FA Cup action, Watford without a game and Stoke facing a tricky home game against away-day specialists Burnley, City could move six points clear at the summit.

Very much the surprise package of the division, Gary Johnson's side have not fallen by the wayside as many people thought they might. In fact, the tougher it has got, the more they've got going.

Look at their last four games - their undoubted commitment and never-say-die attitude has turned potentially one point into eight. They trailed at Charlton on Tuesday and came back to draw; prior to that they saw Hull equalise but fought back to beat them, rallied from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at Colchester, and salvaged a last-gasp point in a live game with Crystal Palace.

Their threat at set-pieces is evidenced by the fact central defender Jamie McCombe has scored three goals in four games, while big striker Dele Adebola has netted two in his last three.

Goals are in short supply for Leicester though. They have drawn a blank in four of their last seven games and have lost five of those fixtures. Two of the last three games at the Walkers Stadium have ended in defeat.

It's not often that any leader of a division will offer such a plump price as that available to back the Robins this weekend - so get on at [2.9]!

The League One promotion battle took a significant twist on Monday when Carlisle won at Nottingham Forest, who are now five points adrift of the top three.

Forest are in real danger of missing out on automatic promotion, but they are presented with the ideal opportunity to bounce straight back when they visit a Crewe side this weekend which is enduring a miserable run.

The Alex have not won any of their last five games at Gresty Road, contributing to a sequence of just one win in 11 outings. Goals are also in very short supply: Crewe have netted a mere six times in that 11-game patch.

Monday's defeat was only Forest's second at home this season - the last time they were beaten at the City Ground, they responded by going eight league games without defeat.

Although Crewe are only just above the relegation zone, they are actually 10 points clear of the drop - and none of the bottom three are showing any signs of bridging that gap. Therefore, Forest's need is greater, and that coupled with the knowledge they must bounce back and set off on a run that allows them to close the gap on the top three, makes them part two of the treble and I'm on Forest at [2.02].

Any team that has won 11 away games ought to be in an automatic promotion place - I say ought to be, because that statement relies upon their home form being equally good. In the case of Stockport, home hasn't been where the heart is.

The Hatters have only won five games at Edgeley Park in the league this season, and their push for promotion in League Two is built largely around their form on the road: seven consecutive away victories have kept them in the thick of the battle.

However, their overall home record hides a recent revival in fortunes: they have lost just once on their home turf in the last seven outings. Furthermore, despite a poor record at Edgeley Park, they have not failed to score there in any game this season.

This weekend's visitors Bradford are inconsistent: they followed a victory over promotion-chasing Rotherham with a home defeat at the hands of struggling Dagenham and Redbridge. If Stockport are going to get their home form rolling to build on their excellent away record, this is exactly the sort of game they have to win and I'm on Stockport at [1.96] .

Therefore, the French Connection treble this weekend is backing Bristol City (at [2.9]), Nottingham Forest (at [2.02]) and Stockport (at [1.96]) - that should pay around the [11.48] mark.

Roeder took charge at Carrow Road at the end of October with the Canaries rooted to the bottom of the table, three points adrift and having won just two of their first 12 games.

The transformation wasn't immediate, but Roeder has quietly guided Norwich well away from danger and, such is their current run, he could easily steer them into the top six. They have lost just one of their last 15 games and are unbeaten at home in 10 outings.

I'd be all for backing them to beat this weekend's visitors, Blackpool, if they didn't have such a high draw ratio. Half of those 10 undefeated games at Carrow Road have ended all square.

However, I cannot see Blackpool winning, despite their impressive 5-3 beating of promotion-chasing Charlton last weekend.

The Seasiders won at Leicester on the opening day of the season, but have managed just two victories in the 16 trips away from Bloomfield Road since then - and they came at struggling Colchester and Preston.

Norwich's excellent current form makes them unopposable in my opinion, but because they do have that tendency to draw, I'm suggesting laying Blackpool at [4.3].

It's very rare to have a sequence of four consecutive home games, but that is what Brighton will complete when they host Leyton Orient in League One this weekend.

They have taken seven points from the previous three and that has put them within sight of the play-off places - victory against Orient could leave them just four points off the top six.

The Seagulls splashed out £300,000 on striker Glenn Murray from Rochdale at the end of the January transfer window and he has immediately weighed in with four goals in six outings, including the winner against Oldham last week.

Orient have promotion aspirations of their own after making a flying start to the season: 16 points from the opening six games put them at the head of affairs.

However, they have slipped down the table since then, and have won only one of their last seven games - at Luton, who are plummeting rapidly towards League Two. That was their only away success since November 24th, and in their last eight trips on the road they have scored just four times.

With the home team having conceded just a solitary goal in their last six hours of football at the Withdean, I fancy the Seagulls to take a step nearer the top six and I'm backing Brighton at [2.0] .
Despite their many failings, footballers are only human - and so the players of Lincoln City are bound to want to give manager Peter Jackson the ideal send-off this weekend before he begins cancer treatment.

The Imps boss announced earlier this month that he was to undergo treatment for the illness, and this weekend's home game with Wycombe Wanderers at Sincil Bank will be his last before assistant Iffy Onoura takes temporary charge.

City slipped up 3-2 at promotion-chasing Rotherham last week, but they were holding their own at 1-1 until Mark Stallard was sent off in the 64th-minute, and the home side took the lead within 60 seconds.

Prior to that defeat, Lincoln had won five consecutive games.

There is no doubting Wycombe's recent away form is also impressive: five wins and two draws in seven games. However, they can throw in the odd stinker: home defeats in the last month to struggling Mansfield and Dagenham & Redbridge are evidence of that.

I think Lincoln will go all out to make sure Jackson can go away and concentrate on his health issues in the best frame of mind, and so I'm backing Lincoln at [2.6] to end Wycombe's away-day run.

Therefore, the French Connection treble is laying Blackpool at [4.3], backing Brighton at [2.0] and backing Lincoln at [2.6] - that should pay around the [7.8] mark.

However, the former Welsh international has left behind sunny San Sebastian after his spell at Real Sociedad, and finds himself in the thick of a relegation battle at the Ricoh Arena. The Sky Blues have had a forgettable season: to the brink of administration off the pitch, and hanging over the precipice that leads to League One on it.

Coleman's unsuccessful spell in Spain should not detract from the fact he did a pretty good job during his four years in West London. He took them to ninth in 2004 - what would they give to get close to that this season?

The Sky Blues host near neighbours Leicester, themselves battling to avoid the drop, although they can trump Coventry (and pretty much any other club) when it comes to a manager count this season.

Victory for Coleman's side would take them above the Foxes, and I think a combination of that famed 'first-game effect' for the new boss, coupled with Leicester's dismal away record (three points and five goals in eight games), makes Coventry a good bet.

You're a mid-table League One club with a home draw in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and the real possibility of your first-ever semi-final appearance. Would you be able to concentrate on run-of-the-mill league games?

Bristol Rovers are 19 points off the play-offs, but 16 points clear of relegation. In short, their league season is pretty much a tale of completing fixtures as they're not going up or down. But victory over Southampton last week took them into the last eight of the world's greatest cup competition and a home tie with West Brom (rather than a trip to Old Trafford) gives them a decent chance of progressing.

As much as Paul Trollope and his team will stress they are not distracted, they are bound to be. And will the manager or the players want to be throwing everything into the next two league games and risk injuries or suspensions ahead of the quarter-final?

Ronnie Moore's dogged Tranmere Rovers are just the sort of side to capitalise, especially as they currently possess a play-off place but could climb to third with a victory at Rovers.

Certainly the Bristol club's impressive home record of late makes taking them on a risk, but Tranmere are no slouches on the road either: unbeaten in their last three without conceding a goal, and their recent 2-0 win at Leeds was no fluke.

League One clubs just don't have the resources to rotate their squads or rest their best players, so Rovers will have to try juggling two league games with giving themselves the best chance of reaching the FA Cup semi-finals. I'll take Tranmere to pounce this weekend.

Not so long ago Dagenham & Redbridge v Morecambe would have been a non-league match, that may have crept onto the pools coupon under the title that always amused me: 'Other Pools Matches'.

This weekend, it's a League Two fixtures, with the new kids on the block having vastly different seasons. Morecambe are on the edge of the play-offs - the Daggers are just on the edge: two off the bottom of the table.

However, there appears to be something of a recovery going on at Victoria Road. Having thrashed Chester 6-2, they travelled to Grimsby and ended the Mariners' 10-game unbeaten record in emphatic style with a 4-1 victory at Blundell Park.

Two games, six points, 10 goals. Not the current form of a team about to drop back out of the league. It's all about momentum in League Two, and John Still's side clearly have more than most at the moment.

Morecambe are better than most on the road, but the Daggers are on a roll and I think we can expect that to last into this weekend.

Therefore, the French Connection treble this weekend is backing Coventry at [2.45], Tranmere at [2.98] and Dagenham and Redbridge at [2.42] - that should pay around the [17.0] mark.

With so much attention on the FA Cup this weekend, the Football League programme may well slip under the radar - which means there could be some value to be had.

Starting in the Championship, undoubtedly the pick of the four games is at The Valley where two of the leading promotion contenders, Charlton and Watford, go head to head.

However, the team I am backing has almost crept up on the rails of the promotion battle and is now only two points off a play-off place.

Phil Brown has got Hull City moving, and they have lost just once in 10 league games - and that defeat came against West Brom, arguably the best team in the division.

At Boothferry Park, the Tigers have been ruthless against struggling teams: Preston, Leicester, Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry have all been beaten and Hull did not concede a goal in any of those four games.

Being without injured top scorer Dean Windass is an obvious negative, but that is countered by the return to action of Caleb Folan, who has been out with flu.

Visitors Colchester scrambled a 2-1 win over Preston on Tuesday night but that was only their second victory in 12 outings. They have one of the worst defensive records in the Championship, and have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 14 away games.

Moving down to League One, and I will be taking Cheltenham to make the most of home advantage against Hartlepool.

Both clubs are looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone, but the Robins have managed to keep their heads above water with some gritty and hard-fought home victories.

They have won four of the last five at Whaddon Road and have shown the ability to dig in to make sure of the three points: three of those four victories have been by a 1-0 scoreline.

Strikers Damian Spencer and Ashley Vincent are back in the squad after a virus, giving manager Keith Downing increased options against a Pools side missing a total of four players through injury or suspension.

The visitors have taken a meagre one point from their last nine away league games, during which time they have shipped 19 goals.

There are plenty of matches that look like home bankers in League Two and consequently the prices on offer do not represent much value, even when included in a treble.

However, there is a better price to be had about Grimsby as they host Dagenham and Redbridge, possibly because the Mariners have a very average home record for a side that is on the fringes of the promotion race. Only six wins out of 16 at Blundell Park, and a negative goal difference.

But scratch beneath the surface and you find all the indications that Alan Buckley has sorted that 'home sickness out'. Grimsby won only two of their first 11 home league matches, but have since won four and drawn the other of their last five games.

Visitors Dagenham and Redbridge crushed Chester 6-2 in midweek, but they have received some whippings of their own on away trips this season: 4-0 at Chester, 4-0 at Shrewsbury and 4-1 at Hereford all contributing to give the league new-boys one of the worst defensive records in League Two.

Grimsby's slow start has left them with plenty of ground to make up if they are to get into the promotion shake-up, but any side that is undefeated since Christmas is clearly in good heart and heading in the right direction.

Therefore, the French Connection treble this weekend is backing Hull at [1.74], Cheltenham at [2.4] and Grimsby at [1.71] - that should pay around the [7.2] mark.

Speaking of Bolton, they could quickly find themselves in The Championship having sold their only player with any pace in Anelka and former betting,betfair.com columnist Gary Speed. They'll also be going nowhere fast in the UEFA Cup having drawn Atletico Madrid. Fernando Torres may not be around anymore and Martin Petrov is doing the business at Man City these days but the money gained from their sales has allowed them to bring in the likes of Simao Sabrosa, Luis Garcia and Diego Forlan to join players of the calibre of Motta and Angulo. Atletico Madrid's ability to keep the ball and extra bit of class upfront should be enough to see them take a lead into the second leg and I'm on the "Colchoneros" at [2.49].

I've mentioned two of the sulkiest sportsmen on the planet in Andy Murray and Nicolas Anelka so I thought I'd push the boat out and mention a third: Dimitar Berbatov. But he's also a top-class player on his day and if Juande Ramos is going to lift the UEFA Cup for an incredible third time in a row, you suspect Berbatov is going to be the guy getting the goals. Punish the Keane layers of Spurs and show them you're the Multiples King by getting on Tottenham at [1.9] to win at Slavia Prague.

There are certain events that will probably never happen nor is there necessarily an answer to them but I'd be interested in seeing how they'd be priced up anyway: a public national vote to nominate the most annoying British sportsman out of Ian Poulter and Andy Murray and who has the most attractive wife out of Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson (Wenger once said in response to a comment made by Ferguson that "Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife at home"). For the record I'd go Poulter v Murray - evens the pair and [1.8] Wenger [2.1] Ferguson. Another interesting match up would be a streetfight between Graeme Smith ("Pietersen is a traitor") and KP ("Smith is an absolute muppet") and I'd go [1.7] Smith and [2.2] Pietersen. Smith has clubbed 86 and 56 in his last two ODIs against the West Indies which have set up South Africa nicely for comfortable wins and I can't see the 4th ODI going any differently. It's been a long tour for the Windies and Morton Samuels excluded, everyone just looks like they want to go home and put their feet up. Short price though it is I'm going to take the [1.27] on another South Africa win.

It's all well and good calling yourself Peter "one-dart" Manley when your form is so bad that people never actually see you get to throw at a double. It's anyone's guess whether he needs just the one dart or twenty. The Amarillo man - Manley clearly has as good a taste in music as he has a dislike for razors - is in action against PDC World Champion John Part tonight and I'm not buying the argument that the travelling from Canada is going to wear Part out. After all, they're playing darts, not running a marathon. I'm all over the [1.65] on Part.

Despite going well in all competitions at present, Chelsea aren't playing well and a midfield missing Essien and Mikel (away at the African Cup of Nations) plus Lampard and possibly Wright-Phillips will struggle tonight against one of the best midfields in the Premiership when they face Everton. Anelka's availability is a boost for the Blues but Everton don't lose many matches at home and with the draw being enough for Chelsea to progress, they won't be busting a gut for a win. I'm laying Chelsea at [2.67].

I've never really understood the expression "nice weather for ducks", commonly used when it's a despicably miserable day. I can understand it to the extent that if the rain came after a period of drought the ducks would indeed welcome it with open wings but other than that why would they want rain falling down on them any more than the next animal? One duck who has made plenty of splashes in a short period of time is Pato, the Portuguese word for...duck. The 18-year old was fantastic on debut as Milan beat Napoli 5-2 a couple of weeks ago to record their first Serie A home win of the season. The Samba-flavoured trio of him, Kaka and Ronaldo could prove to be a destructive force if they start to gel and I wouldn't rule out a successful defence of their Champions League title. More imminently, I can't see Atalanta's defence keeping them out tonight so I'm backing AC Milan to take all three points at [1.64].

Speaking of expressions that don't make sense, here's another - "buying money", often used in betting when talking about a bet that seemingly can't lose. The first point I'd make is that there are no certainties in betting. If you don't believe me, just ask the so-called 1.01 merchants who pile in thinking that something is a cert then find out its not; it happens every day on Betfair. The second thing I'd say is why would you want to buy money? And if you do - at what cost? And does it make sense to buy money at a greater price than the money you're actually buying? As if Lara retiring and Sarwan being injured wasn't bad enough for the West Indies, skipper Chris Gayle - their only genuine match-winner bar Chanderpaul - is also injured and has flown back home. There are some rather unfamiliar names amongst South Africa's team such as J Duminy and Justin Ontong but these are guys who have scored a lot of domestic runs recently. Pollock is carrying on in ODI cricket for the time being and Steyn and Nel are there too. In recent weeks South Africa have dominated the Windies in Test, Twenty20 and ODI cricket so why should tomorrow's game 2nd ODI be any different? Surely the 1.29 on Graeme Smith's side is just buying money...