Pools tips for weekend of October 26-27

Ten draws: Chelsea v Man City, Sunderland v Newcastle, Bradford City v Wolves, Stevenage v Crawley, Exeter v Burton, Scunthorpe v Hartlepool, York v Fleetwood, Hibernian v Aberdeen, St Johnstone v Motherwell, Dumbarton v Cowdenbeath.

Best draws: Chelsea v Man City, Sunderland v Newcastle, Scunthorpe v Hartlepool, York v Fleetwood, St Johnstone v Motherwell.

Best weekend away bets: Everton, Nottingham Forest, Preston, Coventry, Rochdale, Portsmouth.

Best weekend home bets: Man Utd, Norwich, Swansea, Tottenham, Burnley, Charlton, Leicester, Port Vale, Mansfield, Wycombe.


Pick of the draws: Two Premier League heavyweights clash at Stamford Bridge and both Chelsea and Manchester City are running into form. Gus Poyet's debut as Sunderland manager could hardly have got off to a worse start at Swansea last weekend but I believe Sunderland will have enough pride to get something from their clash with their bitter rivals Newcastle. Hartlepool's rise from the depths of League Two has been astonishing and I'm taking them to continue their good run at Scunthorpe. Promotion contenders Fleetwood are faring better away than at home, which is why I think they will come away from York with a point. Motherwell are making a strong claim for second place in the Scottish Premiership but St Johnstone are tough nuts to crack at home.

Away days: Aston Villa looked lame and lacklustre when losing at home to Spurs last Sunday. Their opponents Everton are doing well under new manager Roberto Martinez and can take three points. In the Championship, Nottingham Forest were surprisingly held to a draw by Bournemouth last Saturday. They will probably take out their frustration on bottom-of-the-table Yeovil. Preston returned to winning ways at Gillingham in League One and will be looking forward to their match at lowly Notts County. Coventry ended Leyton Orient's unbeaten record and are going from strength to strength. They are certainly worth a punt at Walsall, who have been indifferent at home. Rochdale are the new and surprise leaders of League Two and they can celebrate by defeating Dagenham & Redbridge. Portsmouth are also worth supporting at struggling Torquay.

Homes sweet homes: Norwich did not deserve to lose by such an emphatic margin at Arsenal last Saturday and should be too strong for Cardiff, who are slipping towards the Premier League relegation zone and undermined by internal strife. Queens Park Rangers are the only unbeaten side in the top four divisions but I've a hunch that run will end on Saturday when Championship leaders Burnley are their hosts. Burnley have taken the division by storm and can stretch their lead over Harry Redknapp's men. Charlton gained a much-needed victory at Blackburn last weekend. They are better than their low position indicates and can prove that point by beating Wigan, who have already lost four times on the road this season.