Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Nov 17-18

Ten draws: Northern Ireland v Austria, Italy v Portugal, Moldova v Luxembourg, Accrington v Barnsley, Burton v Coventry, Shrewsbury v Rochdale, Southend v Blackpool, Grimsby v Crawley, Airdrieonians v East Fife, Montrose v Stranraer.

Best draws: Italy v Portugal, Accrington v Barnsley, Shrewsbury v Rochdale, Southend v Blackpool, Grimsby v Crawley.

Best weekend away bets: Scotland, Belgium, Tranmere, Raith, Harrogate, Wrexham.

Best weekend home bets: England, Greece, Serbia, Doncaster, Luton, Peterborough, Sunderland, Bury, Oldham, Ayr.

Pick of the draws: In the latest Uefa Nations League fixtures, Portugal, the European champions, have a difficult assignment at Italy, who rarely give much away. Barnsley, fourth in League One, made impressively short work of Notts County in the FA Cup first round last Saturday, which should serve them well at sixth-placed Accrington, who have already recorded four home draws. Lowly Shrewsbury, who have sacked their manager John Askey, will find it hard to improve on a draw against Rochdale, who are more effective on their travels. I rate Southend v Blackpool as one of the best draws on the coupon. Both are lying in mid-table and Blackpool have registered seven draws from their 15 League One games this season. Grimsby's 3-1 victory over high-riding MK Dons was one of the eye-catching results in the FA Cup last weekend and they look good for at least a point against Crawley, who have lost six away matches out of eight in League Two.

Away days: The Nations League trip to Albania is a heaven-sent opportunity for Scotland to get some much-needed points on the board. Belgium, World Cup semi-finalists in the summer, show no signs of losing their focus and are recommended at Switzerland. Tranmere, fourth in League Two and favourites to gain their second consecutive promotion, must be backed at Crewe, who have lost their past three league games without scoring. Although Raith were beaten at East Fife last weekend, they should have too much for Stenhousemuir, who are bottom of Scottish League One. Harrogate, who are in the National League promotion shake-up, are well worth a punt at struggling Maidenhead while leaders Wrexham ought to prevail at Maidstone, who have won only once at home.

Homes sweet homes: I expect England, buoyed by their fine 3-2 win in Spain, to gain some measure of revenge over Croatia, who were England's conquerors in this summer's World Cup semi-finals. The goals are flowing for Bury in League Two and I'm tipping them to put Stevenage to the sword. Oldham survived an almighty FA Cup scare at Hampton & Richmond on Monday and I believe they'll celebrate their escape by defeating Cambridge.

Pools info: the following matches have been postponed and will be judged by the pools panel: Portsmouth v Charlton (No 23 on coupon), Dundee United v Alloa (37), Ross v Dunfermline (40), Cowdenbeath v Queen's Park (48) and Edinburgh v Peterhead (49).