Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 9-10

Ten draws: Brentford v Charlton, Ipswich v Fulham, Fleetwood v Crewe, Preston v Notts County, AFC Wimbledon v Shrewsbury, Cambridge v Plymouth, Northampton v Mansfield, Oxford v Burton, Hamilton v Inverness, Ross v St Johnstone.

Best draws: Ipswich v Fulham, Preston v Notts County, Cambridge v Plymouth, Oxford v Burton, Hamilton v Inverness.

Best weekend away bets: Leeds, Bolton, Southend, Portsmouth, Falkirk, East Fife.

Best weekend home bets: Brighton, Derby, Wolves, Barnsley, Port Vale, Swindon, Bury, Stevenage, Dundee, Rangers.


Pick of the draws: Fulham are much-changed from the team that got relegated from the Premier League last season. They should be good enough to gain a share of the spoils at Ipswich, who will be hoping for more consistency in the Championship this season. Although Notts County were one place away from relegation to League Two, they ended last season with a flourish. They have a tough League One opener at Preston but don't be surprised if they come away with a point. Cambridge United's home form won them promotion to the Football League last season and it should stand them in good stead against Plymouth, who finished League Two in mid-table. Burton are ready to go again after just missing promotion and are a fair bet to get something at Oxford. Hamilton are back in the Scottish Premiership after gaining promotion through the play-offs. I fancy them to take a point off Inverness.

Away days: Leeds, under new ownership and managership, will be disappointed not to open their Championship campaign with victory at Millwall, who look destined to struggle again this season. Bolton are worth a punt at Norwich. The end of last season came too soon for Bolton, who were just getting into their stride. The opposite applied to Watford, who found themselves sliding down the table and only just managed to finish above Saturday's opponents. Southend, with eight wins on their travels in League Two last season, ought to be too strong for Accrington. Portsmouth are looking to improve on last season's mid-table placing and I'm taking them to triumph at Exeter. Falkirk will be favourites to gain maximum points at Cowdenbeath in the Scottish Championship and relegated East Fife will surely have too much for lowly Elgin in Scottish League Two.

Homes sweet homes: Promoted Wolves take on relegated Norwich at Molineux in the Championship on Sunday. The momentum is with Wolves, who won League One with 103 points last season and are aiming to gain two consecutive promotions. By way of contrast, Norwich may take a while to recover after being relegated from the Premier League. I'm taking Dundee to win their first match back in the Scottish Premiership against Kilmarnock, who escaped relegation to the Championship by the skin of their teeth. Rangers, the unbeaten runaway champions of League One, host relegated Hearts in Sunday's Championship fixture and I believe they will get off to a flyer.