Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 18-19

Ten draws: Chelsea v Arsenal, Leicester v Wolves, Millwall v Derby, Reading v Bolton, Wigan v Nottingham Forest, Burton v Doncaster, Bury v Forest Green, Crewe v MK Dons, Northampton v Cambridge, Swindon v Tranmere.

Best draws: Chelsea v Arsenal, Millwall v Derby, Burton v Doncaster, Bury v Forest Green, Northampton v Cambridge.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Stoke, Charlton, Lincoln, Wrexham, Hearts.

Best weekend home bets: Everton, Hull, Leeds, West Bromwich, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Stevenage, Barnet, Halifax, Hartlepool.


Pick of the draws: Arsenal played out two goalless draws at Chelsea last season - in the Premier League and League Cup - and another Stamford Bridge stalemate is looming. Both clubs are adjusting to new managers and a point each is the most likely outcome of Saturday's early evening contest. That 4-1 home defeat by Leeds last weekend must have jolted Frank Lampard's Derby but they have a chance of getting back on track at Millwall, who have failed to score in their past two fixtures. Burton are pointless from their first two games in League One since being relegated but a League Cup victory at Shrewsbury in midweek must have settled them down. They face Doncaster, who have got off to a flyer with three wins from three. League Two Bury almost claimed a notable scalp in Championship side Nottingham Forest in the League Cup but Forest Green have made an encouraging start to their campaign and can come away with a point. Cambridge's last-gasp success last Saturday, 3-2 at home to Notts County, will put them in good heart for their trip to Northampton, who have yet to fire.

Away days: Jose Mourinho's close season problems at Old Trafford have rather obscured the fact that Manchester United still have some very good players. They should be too good for Brighton, who were poor when beaten 2-0 at Watford last Saturday. One point from their first two Championship matches was not the start that relegated Stoke were hoping for. Away at Preston will be no easy task either but I've a hunch that the men from the Potteries will come good at Deepdale this weekend. In League One, Charlton seem well equipped to take advantage of Accrington, who crashed 6-1 at League Two Mansfield in the midweek League Cup. League Two promotion contenders Lincoln, six points from their opening two fixtures, are a confident selection at Grimsby and table-topping Wrexham look a good bet at Eastleigh in the National League. Hearts, the Scottish Premiership leaders, are highly recommended at Dunfermline in the Scottish League Cup.

Homes sweet homes: Hull, who often punch above their weight in the Championship, are well worth a punt against promoted Blackburn, who have drawn their first two matches of 2018-19. Barnet have made a terrible start to life back in the National League (no wins and only two points from four games) but they have an opportunity to turn things round when they play Ebbsfleet at The Hive on Saturday. I believe they'll take it. Hartlepool are another National League team who have failed to get going but I'm backing them to gain three points at the expense of struggling Maidenhead.


Pools info: Five of my draw selections were correct last weekend. The matches were Southampton v Burnley, Bolton v Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday v Hull, Luton v Sunderland and Carlisle v Northampton.