Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 15-16

Ten draws: Bournemouth v Hull, Middlesbrough v Watford, Wigan v Burton, Charlton v Coventry, Rochdale v Bury, Barnet v Exeter, Cheltenham v Crawley, Plymouth v Portsmouth, Yeovil v Newport, Partick v Hamilton.

Best draws: Wigan v Burton, Rochdale v Bury, Barnet v Exeter, Plymouth v Portsmouth, Yeovil v Newport.

Best weekend away bets: West Ham, Tottenham, Reading, Bradford City, Luton, Dundee United.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Southampton, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Norwich, Wimbledon, Walsall, Cambridge, Carlisle, Doncaster.


Pick of the draws: Promoted Burton are adjusting well to the demands of the Championship. The same cannot be said of their hosts on Saturday, Wigan, despite a recent 2-1 win over Wolves, and this looks one of the best draws on the coupon. Third-placed Bury have had a couple of setbacks in League One but are talented enough to get something at Rochdale, who have zoomed up the table after five consecutive victories. Barnet have not made the most of home advantage in League Two this season, having won only once. Exeter, their opponents on Saturday, are second from bottom but have done well away and can nick a point. Plymouth have opened a five-point gap at the top of the table but I believe their progress will be halted by fellow promotion challengers Portsmouth. Pompey will also be looking to avenge their narrow defeat in the League Two play-off semi-final last season. Bottom club Newport have a new manager in Graham Westley, formerly at Peterborough and Stevenage. Westley's sides are disciplined and well organised, so I won't be surprised if they hold  Yeovil to a draw.

Away days: West Ham's decline has been one of the surprises of the season so far but although they are in the Premier League relegation zone, I'm backing them to turn things around at Crystal Palace. Perhaps the knowledge that they won 3-1 at Selhurst Park last season will inspire the Hammers to a much-needed victory. Tottenham announced themselves as serious title contenders when they beat leaders Manchester City 2-0 at home. They are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League, having conceded just three goals in seven matches, and should have too much for West Bromwich Albion.  Reading are likely to be in the Championship promotion shake-up and are well equipped to win at Queens Park Rangers. Bradford City are undefeated after 12 games in League One and challenging Scunthorpe for the leadership. I cannot see them being blown off course by Oxford, who slumped 3-1 at home to Wimbledon last Sunday. In League Two, promotion-seeking Luton are favourites to prevail at ailing Leyton Orient. Although Dundee United have still to find their feet in the Scottish Championship, they will be confident of taking three points off lowly St Mirren.

Homes sweet homes: It's high time relegated Aston Villa stopped feeling sorry for themselves and played to their potential in the Championship. I've a hunch they will come good on Saturday against mid-table Wolves, especially as the experienced Steve Bruce has been appointed Villa manager. Blackburn, third from bottom, are in an even worse state than Villa but don't rule out their chances against goal-shy Ipswich, who have only managed eight in 11 matches. Cambridge have hauled themselves away from the League Two relegation zone and I think they will continue to climb the table. They are well worth a punt against promoted Grimsby on Saturday.


Pools info: Liverpool v Manchester United (No 4 on coupon) has been moved to Monday and will be judged by the pools panel. Inverness v Rangers (47) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.