Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 22-23

Ten draws: Chelsea v Manchester United, Leicester v Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest v Cardiff, Peterborough v Wimbledon, Swindon v Walsall, Colchester v Morecambe, Crawley v Accrington, Newport v Plymouth, Dagenham & Redbridge v Macclesfield, Maidstone v Gateshead.

Best draws: Leicester v Crystal Palace, Swindon v Walsall, Crawley v Accrington, Dagenham & Redbridge v Macclesfield, Maidstone v Gateshead.

Best weekend away bets: Everton, Stoke, Brighton, Bolton (being played on Monday), Charlton, Hibernian.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Liverpool, Swansea, West Ham, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Norwich, Blackpool, Crewe, Hartlepool.


Pick of the draws: After eight matches Leicester, the champions, are only two points away from the relegation zone. Unlike last season they don't seem motivated for Premier League games and a draw is well within the capabilities of visitors Crystal Palace. Swindon gained a much-needed League One win in midweek, defeating in-form Rochdale 3-0 at home. However, Saturday's opponents, Walsall, have already drawn four away games and I can see them making it five. Two late goals against Blackpool enabled Accrington to climb into the League Two play-off positions last weekend. They play enterprising, attractive football and won't fear a trip to Crawley, although the Sussex side are also doing well. Dagenham & Redbridge are on course for an instant return to the Football League but they may have their work cut out against fifth-placed Macclesfield, who boast one of the best away records in the National League. Although Maidstone have reached the first round of the FA Cup, they are not finding life easy at home. They may, however, get something from their encounter with Gateshead, who tend to be erratic and went out of the FA Cup in midweek.

Away days: Everton's point in a 1-1 draw at leaders Manchester City last Saturday was a very creditable one and they will probably do better at Burnley, who are only averaging a goal a game in the Premier League and are close to the relegation zone. There are signs that Stoke are on the upgrade after a terrible start to the season and are well worth a wager at Hull, who appear to be going in the opposite direction, especially in view of their 6-1 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend. Brighton, strong promotion contenders in the Championship, will be confident of three points at Wigan, who are short of goals and belief. Bolton are back in business thanks to three consecutive victories in League One. I think they will make that four at Bury, who are badly out of sorts. Charlton could do with some success on the road and I believe it will come at Gillingham, who are nowhere near the team they were for much of last season. A goalless draw at Raith put Hibernian top of the Scottish Championship last weekend. I believe they will stay there after winning at struggling Dunfermline.

Homes sweet homes: Swansea, in their first game under new manager Bob Bradley, showed a lot of spirit in their 3-2 defeat at Arsenal last weekend, which should serve them well when they host Watford. The Swans have not won a Premier League home match this season but I expect that to change on Saturday. Championship strugglers Aston Villa will surely start to turn things around now that Steve Bruce is in charge. Their 2-1 triumph at Reading in midweek will have done wonders for morale and a second home victory of the season beckons when inconsistent Fulham visit on Saturday. Blackpool are in the bottom half of League Two, having dropped some silly points. They are capable of much better and worth a punt against promotion contenders Doncaster, who have lost as many away matches as they have won.