Pools tips for weekend of November 2-3

Ten draws: Arsenal v Liverpool, Cardiff v Swansea, Hull v Sunderland, West Ham v Aston Villa, Birmingham v Charlton, Blackburn v Middlesbrough, Swindon v Port Vale, Accrington v Wycombe, Alfreton v FC Halifax, St Mirren v Ross.

Best draws: Hull v Sunderland, West Ham v Aston Villa, Blackburn v Middlesbrough, Swindon v Port Vale, Accrington v Wycombe.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Southampton, Brentford, Bradford City, Sheffield United, St Johnstone.

Best weekend home bets: Everton, Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion, Leeds, Coventry, Peterborough, Preston, Wolves, Chesterfield, Hartlepool.


Pick of the draws: Sunderland, under new manager Gus Poyet, got their season up and running by beating Newcastle at the Stadium of Light last Sunday. That result meant they climbed off the bottom of the Premier League and I'm taking them to maintain their momentum against Hull. West Ham have averaged only a goal a game this season, which is why they may find it difficult to overcome Aston Villa, who are doing better away than at home. Middlesbrough, under acting manager Mark Venus, gained their best result this season in the Championship last Friday when they beat Doncaster 4-0 at home. That will give them confidence for their trip to Ewood Park, where they play Blackburn. Swindon seem to be on a downer in League One, having lost their past two matches. They clash with Port Vale, who are right behind them in the table. Accrington look in better shape now, despite still propping up League Two. The last-gasp away win at Morecambe last Saturday will have done them a power of good and I can see them holding Wycombe.

Away days: Manchester United may have turned the Premier League corner after those late goals against Stoke last Saturday and I fear for Fulham, their troubled hosts. Southampton are one of the surprise packets of the season, having conceded only three league goals. They should be backed against Stoke, who may feel the effects of playing extra time against Birmingham in the midweek Capital One Cup. After an indifferent start to the League One season, Brentford have climbed into promotion contention and they are worth a punt to take maximum points at Crawley. Bradford City, despite recent setbacks, look nailed on to prevail at Crewe, who are leaking goals regularly. Sheffield United, under new manager Nigel Clough, have moved out of the relegation zone and I believe they will  continue their improvement against Shrewsbury. In the Scottish Premiership, St Johnstone, convincing 2-0 winners over Motherwell, are strongly fancied to pile on more agony for bottom club Hearts.

Homes sweet homes: Manager Roberto Martinez must be pleased with the progress he's making at Everton. I believe his team will get the better of Tottenham, whose results have been better than their performances. Peterborough's unexpected defeat at Colchester last weekend resulted in them slipping out of the League One automatic promotion slots. However, they can rectify that when they host table-topping Leyton Orient. Orient's away record is as good as Peterborough's home form but I've a feeling Peterborough will make ground advantage count. Improving Hartlepool were, by all accounts, unlucky to lose at Scunthorpe last Saturday and I think they will recover in their League Two fixture against Dagenham & Redbridge.


Pools info: Ipswich v Barnsley (match No 14 on the coupon) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.