Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 8-9

Ten draws: Oxford United v Wimbledon, Morecambe v Carlisle, Yeovil v Wycombe, Braintree v York, Eastleigh v Dagenham & Redbridge, Gateshead v Dover, Sutton v Woking, Gloucester v Halifax, Stalybridge v Altrincham, Oxford City v East Thurrock.

Best draws: Morecambe v Carlisle, Yeovil v Wycombe, Braintree v York, Gateshead v Dover, Stalybridge v Altrincham.

Best weekend away bets: Bolton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Notts County, Lincoln, Forest Green.

Best weekend home bets: Bradford City, MK Dons, Rochdale, Accrington, Colchester, Doncaster, Exeter, Hartlepool, Barrow, Chester.


Pick of the draws: Carlisle are one of only three unbeaten teams in the top four divisions and I predict  that run will be extended after Saturday's tricky assignment at Morecambe. Carlisle's 2-0 win over Colchester last Saturday enabled them to move into the automatic promotion positions in League Two  and they won't relinquish it without a fight. Wycombe have hauled themselves away from the relegation zone with some good results and must rate their chances of sharing the spoils at Yeovil, who need every point they can get. Braintree v York in the Vanarama National League features two sides woefully out of form. Relegation-fearing Braintree have lost twice at home in four days while York have gained only one point on their travels and were heavily beaten by bottom club Guiseley in midweek. A draw seems the best bet here. Dover continue to punch above their weight in this division and can frustrate Gateshead. I'm tipping lowly Stalybridge and Altrincham to cancel each other out in the Vanarama League North.

Away days: Bolton's alarming slide down League One has surprised everybody but I believe they will stop the rot at Swindon, who are no great shakes themselves. Portsmouth's League Two results are difficult to predict but they will be disappointed not to come away from Leyton Orient with three points. Orient are in the doldrums, having sacked their manager Andy Hessenthaler last week, and have already lost four home games. Plymouth have opened a five-point gap at the top and will be confident of success at Stevenage, who are hovering above the relegation zone. Notts County's best results have come on the road and they are worth a punt at Mansfield, who are finding goals hard to come by. Lincoln, in second place in the National League, ought to be too strong for Bromley while new leaders Forest Green, fresh from their midweek 4-0 triumph at Aldershot, look a banker at North Ferriby.

Homes sweet homes: I'm going out on a limb this week and recommending three teams who don't have a home win between them this season. League One MK Dons host Port Vale on Sunday and if they play half was well as they do away, they will break their duck. Exeter, who are second from bottom in League Two, have lost all five at home, despite recording three away wins. I've a hunch they will give their supporters something to cheer on Saturday when they entertain promoted Grimsby. Finally, Hartlepool have in flashes shown what they are capable of. Their 3-0 victory at Grimsby last weekend was a good example and I'm taking them to halt Crawley's progress.

Pools info: Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood (No 2 on coupon), Coventry v Chesterfield (3) and Sheffield United v Walsall (9) have been postponed and will be judged by the pools panel.