Pools tips and best bets for weekend of November 3-4

Ten draws: Arsenal v Liverpool, Newcastle v Watford, Nottingham Forest v Sheffield United, Rotherham v Swansea, Stoke v Middlesbrough, Coventry v Accrington, Wycombe v Peterborough, Carlisle v Newport, Morecambe v Yeovil, Alloa v Dunfermline.

Best draws: Arsenal v Liverpool, Rotherham v Swansea, Stoke v Middlesbrough, Wycombe v Peterborough, Morecambe v Yeovil.

Best weekend away bets: Leicester, Bristol City, Norwich, Portsmouth, Mansfield, Rangers.

Best weekend home bets: West Ham, Wolves, Aston Villa (Friday), Barnsley, Blackpool, Gillingham, Lincoln, Stevenage, Tranmere, Hibernian.


Pick of the draws: Liverpool, third in the table, are one of three unbeaten Premier League teams and I believe that record will be intact after Saturday's visit to the Emirates for the early evening kick-off. Arsenal themselves have been undefeated for the past 13 matches but this will be their sternest test since they last lost - at Chelsea in August. Rotherham's battling draws at Middlesbrough and Preston in the Championship should encourage them for the visit of Swansea, who are edging closer to the play-off positions and the hosts look set to record their fourth home draw. Stoke at last seem to be getting to grips with the Championship but they face Middlesbrough, who have the meanest defence in the division, having conceded just eight goals in 15 games. Peterborough's away record in League One is fantastic - seven wins and a draw from eight matches - but I feel they have a tricky assignment at promoted Wycombe, who are coping reasonably well in the higher division. In League Two, struggling Morecambe have yet to draw at home and mid-table Yeovil, their opponents, have yet to draw away but I've a hunch that will change on Saturday.

Away days: After the tragic death of their chairman last Saturday, Leicester will be more determined than ever to get a good result at Cardiff, who have yet to show Premier League quality. Bristol City, of the Championship, were unlucky to lose at home to Stoke last weekend and I suspect they'll have too much for Reading, who are in the drop zone and seem destined for a season of struggle. Norwich are one of the most improved sides in the Football League and I rate their chances at Sheffield Wednesday, who are heading in the opposite direction. League One leaders Portsmouth look an away banker at bottom club Bradford City, who are shipping goals left, right and centre. Mansfield, unbeaten away in League Two and 3-0 winners at Crewe in midweek, are a confident selection at lowly Cheltenham while Rangers should see off the challenge of St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

Homes sweet homes: Although Wolves have lost their past two matches in the Premier League, they are still a good bet to finish in the top half of the table. Molineux is also an intimidating place to visit and I've a hunch Wolves will upset Tottenham on Saturday. Gillingham, of League One, are a difficult side to predict but when they are on song they are irresistible. They made short work of Bradford City last weekend and they can beat Joey Barton's Fleetwood this weekend. Tranmere, aiming for their second consecutive promotion, put five past Crawley in League Two last Saturday, which suggests that they can get the better of Exeter, who lie third.