Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 23-24

Ten draws: Aston Villa v Newcastle, Crystal Palace v West Ham, Blackburn v Bournemouth, Ipswich v Norwich, Wolves v Cardiff, Bradford City v Peterborough, Accrington v Luton, Carlisle v Southend, Northampton v Shrewsbury, Stevenage v Wycombe.

Best draws: Crystal Palace v West Ham, Blackburn v Bournemouth, Ipswich v Norwich, Wolves v Cardiff, Northampton v Shrewsbury.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster, York, Burton, Portsmouth.

Best weekend home bets: Chelsea, Southampton, Swansea, Derby, Wigan, Barnsley, Preston, Sheffield United, Swindon, Tranmere.


Pick of the draws: West Ham were a little unlucky to lose to Tottenham last Saturday and can gain a point at Crystal Palace, who are having to adjust to the sudden departure of manager Tony Pulis. Championship sides Blackburn and Bournemouth won on Saturday but lost in midweek. They seem to be two evenly matched teams and a draw is the likeliest result. Norwich have made a statement of intent with two consecutive home victories and I expect them to hold fierce rivals Ipswich at Portman Road. Relegated Cardiff are among the early front-runners in the Championship. They should improve their promotion prospects by denying Wolves three points at Molineux. Shrewsbury have made an encouraging start to their League Two campaign, which they can continue at Northampton.

Away days: Manchester United's home defeat by Swansea was one of the biggest surprises of the opening weekend. It's hard to see them playing so poorly again and I'm taking them to bounce back with victory at Sunderland on Sunday. Sheffield Wednesday have started well in the Championship and are worth a punt at Middlesbrough, who tend to blow hot and cold. In League One, Doncaster should be backed at Colchester, who will probably be fighting relegation. League Two looks good for away wins. York are recommended at off-form Exeter and it is difficult to ignore the chances of second-placed Burton at struggling Newport. Finally, Portsmouth are thriving under manager Andy Awford and are fancied to keep Oxford pointless.

Homes sweet homes: Southampton, despite being weakened by numerous sales in the close season,  were impressive and unlucky in defeat at Liverpool last Sunday and will approach their Premier League fixture against West Bromwich Albion with confidence. League One Barnsley have picked up after a shaky start to the season and I'm taking them to get off the mark at home by overcoming Gillingham. A midweek away win at Wycombe was just the boost relegated Tranmere needed and I believe they'll follow that up when they host Cheltenham. 

Pools info: Manchester City v Liverpool (match No 6 on the coupon) is being played on Monday and is subject to a panel verdict.