Pools tips for this weekend 28-29 August

Pick of the draws: Two well-matched teams, Bolton and Birmingham, have made encouraging starts to the season in the Premier League and I expect them to cancel each other out at the Reebok stadium on Sunday. Derby have suffered three consecutive defeats since their opening-day victory at Leeds, yet Nigel Clough's side are no soft touch at home and capable of holding top-of-the-table Queens Park Rangers. Burnley appear to have no hangover from last season's relegation and can collect a point at Swansea, who tend to blow hot and cold. Sheffield Wednesday (at Hartlepool) and Football League newcomers Stevenage (at Aldershot) are also tipped to share the spoils.


Away days: Free-scoring Arsenal are in the mood and well equipped to avenge last season's defeat at Blackburn. Newcastle, fresh from their six-goal hammering of Aston Villa, are worth a flutter at Wolves, while Cardiff, boosted by the loan signing of Craig Bellamy, should be too strong for struggling Portsmouth. Rotherham, who scored seven against Cheltenham last Saturday, won't need nearly as many goals to defeat Hereford.


Homes sweet homes: Expect lowly Sheffield United, under new manager Gary Speed, to gain their first win of the season against Preston in the Championship. In League One, get on Brentford, buoyed by their Carling Cup victory over Hull, to conquer Rochdale. Gus Poyet's Brighton seem in better shape now and are backed to confirm their improvement against Walsall. Leyton Orient earned a creditable point at Southampton last Saturday, which should give them the confidence to beat Exeter.


Treble chance (home teams) : Bolton, Barnsley, Derby, Swansea, Watford, Bristol Rovers, Hartlepool, MK Dons, Aldershot, St Mirren.


Best draws: Bolton, Derby, Swansea, Hartlepool, Aldershot.


Aways: Arsenal, Newcastle, Cardiff, Peterborough, Rotherham.


Homes: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Ipswich, Sheffield United, Brentford, Brighton, Leyton Orient.