Pools tips for this weekend November 27-28

Treble chance (home teams):  Newcastle, Stoke, Barnsley, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Hamilton, Motherwell, Albion, Hucknall, Marine. 


Best draws: Newcastle, Stoke, Burnley, Hamilton, Motherwell. 


Aways: Sheffield United, Cardiff, Coventry, Rangers, Falkirk. 


Homes: Bolton, Everton, Fulham, West Ham, Norwich, Celtic, Hibernian, Ayr, Forfar. 


Pick of the draws: Premier League leaders Chelsea have lost three of their last four league matches and Newcastle, up one week, down the next, can take advantage of their lapse in form at St James’ Park. Stoke have gained maximum points from their last three games but I expect Manchester City, who won so convincingly at Fulham last Sunday, to check their progress. Derby, under Nigel Clough, are the most improved side in the Championship and playing well enough to hold Burnley at Turf Moor. The Scottish Premier League relegation scrap between bottom club Hamilton and third-from-bottom St Mirren looks like ending in stalemate, as does the match between Motherwell (5th) and Hearts (3rd).  


Away days: Sheffield United are moving clear of relegation trouble in the Championship and can continue their climb with victory at Bristol City, who are just above the drop zone themselves. I am taking second-placed Cardiff to end the unbeaten record of Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers. Cardiff have already won six away matches this season and another one on Saturday will see them overtake QPR. Coventry are strongly fancied to beat Scunthorpe, who struggle at home. Dundee United earned their draw at Celtic last Saturday but I cannot see them stopping Rangers, who have not dropped an away point all season. Falkirk are a confident selection to beat Morton in the Scottish First Division. 


Homes sweet homes: Everton played well in their 2-2 draw at Sunderland on Monday and appear too strong for West Bromwich Albion, who are in freefall. I expect Fulham to bounce straight back from their heavy defeat last Sunday when they host goal-shy Birmingham. Bottom club West Ham, in desperate need of three points for fear of being cast adrift, may benefit from a Wigan team weakened by suspensions. In the Championship, Norwich are the confident tip to win the East Anglian derby. Get on Hibernian to defeat St Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League. 

Pools Tips for this weekend November 20-21

Treble chance (home teams): Blackpool, Bolton, Bristol City, Doncaster, Norwich, Watford, Leyton Orient, Port Vale, Aberdeen, Inverness. 


Best draws: Blackpool, Bolton, Doncaster, Norwich, Aberdeen.


Aways: Aston Villa, Burnley, Oldham, Swindon, Carlisle. 


Homes: Liverpool, Manchester United, Cardiff, Derby, Hull, Charlton, Southampton, Barnet, Bradford.  


Pick of the draws: Wolves, next to bottom of the Premier League, have been especially poor on their travels, losing five of their six matches, but they visit Blackpool, who have struggled at home. Newcastle’s best results have come away from St James’ Park and they can collect another point at Bolton, despite the Lancashire club climbing to just outside the Champions League places. In the Championship, Doncaster v Swansea and Norwich v Leeds are fair bets to end in stalemate while in Scotland, I expect Premier League crisis club Aberdeen to be held by St Johnstone. 


Away days: Aston Villa’s youngsters gave Manchester United an almighty scare last Saturday and a repeat of that form should be enough to win at Blackburn. Championship promotion contenders Burnley are due an away victory, having drawn six games on the road this season, and could get it at Coventry, who have gone off the boil, losing their past two matches. In League One, promoted Rochdale are on the slide and Swindon are in the sort of form to take advantage. 


Homes sweet homes: Liverpool will be anxious to show that last Saturday’s setback at Stoke was a mere blip and they should be backed to see off West Ham. Relegation-threatened Hull gained a much-needed boost in the Championship by beating Preston last weekend, so take a chance on them doing the same to inconsistent Ipswich. Southampton are flying in League One after a sluggish start and they can overtake ailing Peterborough by beating them at St Mary’s. I have a hunch that League Two bottom club Barnet, encouraged by a fine draw at Torquay, will spring a surprise when they host Northampton. 

Pools Tips for this weekend November 13-14

Treble chance (home teams): Everton, West Ham, Wolves, Leicester, Carlisle, Peterborough, Northampton, Dunfermline, Partick, Queen of South.


Best draws: Wolves, Leicester, Carlisle, Peterborough, Dunfermline.


Aways: Liverpool, West Bromwich, MK Dons, Crewe, Aldershot.


Homes: Newcastle, Tottenham, Ipswich, Leeds, Millwall, Swansea, Swindon, Sheffield Wednesday, Hereford.


Pick of the draws: Lowly Wolves are playing better than their results suggest while their visitors, Bolton, are a more attractive and effective team these days. It all points to a stalemate. Leicester are making progress under new manager Sven Goran Eriksson and are tipped to hold Derby, who have soared into the Championship play-off places. In League One, Southampton have made rapid strides under former Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins and can gain a draw at Carlisle. Charlton have come alive in recent weeks and I expect them to share the spoils at fellow promotion contenders Peterborough. The Scottish First Division looks ripe for draws and Dunfermline (2nd) v Raith (1st) appears the best bet.


Away days: Liverpool have recovered well from their uncertain start to the season and they are a confident selection to beat Stoke. West Bromwich Albion have stumbled recently but can put that right at Wigan, who will do well to escape relegation. In League One, the handily placed MK Dons are due for a win on the road (six defeats out of seven) and may get it at inconsistent Brentford. In League Two, Crewe can take advantage of the crisis of confidence at Gillingham and Aldershot are worth a punt at Macclesfield.


Homes sweet homes: Newcastle to continue their Premier League climb at the expense of Fulham. Ipswich will probably have enough in the tank to beat Barnsley, who are brittle on their travels. Leeds have got to click at home sometime and should do so against Bristol City. Swindon, inspired by their terrific 4-0 victory at Plymouth in the FA Cup first round last Saturday, will feel confident of denting Colchester’s promotion prospects while Hereford, without a home win all season but enjoying a new lease of life, could surprise Cheltenham.

Pools Tips for this weekend November 6-7

Pick of the draws:  Birmingham are finding goals elusive while the Premier League’s bottom club, West Ham, made Arsenal work hard for victory at the Emirates last Saturday. I am expecting a low-scoring encounter at St Andrew’s and, on recent evidence, the Hammers should gain a point. In the Championship, Cardiff, the new leaders and the highest scorers, host third-placed Swansea, who have conceded less than a goal a game. Deadlock is the likeliest option. I am tipping fourth-placed Coventry to be held by mid-table Leeds, who are showing better form away, and Burnley to add to their five away draws at Norwich. In the Scottish First Division, Dundee, devastated by their 25-point penalty for going into administration, may find beating Partick beyond them.

Away days: Fast-improving Everton to win at Blackpool, who struggled at home to overcome nine-man West Bromwich Albion on Monday. In the Scottish Premier League, Dundee United will probably be too strong for Hamilton Academical, who have yet to record a home victory this season. I am taking Kilmarnock to follow up their 3-0 win at Hearts on Monday by coming out on top at St Johnstone. In the Second Division, I’m confident that Alloa will take advantage of East Fife’s indifferent home form.

Homes sweet homes: Blackburn were unlucky against Chelsea last Saturday and can make Wigan pay. Fulham played their best football of the season at home to Wigan and ought to have too much for a goal-shy Aston Villa. Back Bristol City to continue their revival against Preston. Cowdenbeath are still punching above their weight in the Scottish First Division and are tipped to beat Stirling. I have a hunch that Clyde will come good against East Stirling when the Third Division’s bottom two clubs meet. 

Treble chance (home teams): Birmingham, Liverpool, Cardiff, Coventry, Norwich, Inverness, Dundee, Arbroath, Elgin, Buxton.

Best draws: Birmingham, Cardiff, Coventry, Norwich, Dundee.

Aways: Everton, Dundee United, Kilmarnock, Rangers, Alloa.

Homes: Arsenal, Blackburn, Fulham, Manchester United, Barnsley, Bristol City, Celtic, Cowdenbeath, Clyde.