Pools tips for weekend of November 3-4

Ten draws: Sunderland v Aston Villa, West Ham v Manchester City, Burnley v Wolves, Charlton v Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday v Peterborough, Dundee v Hearts, Kilmarnock v Inverness, Osasuna v Valladolid, Catania v Lazio, Fiorentina v Cagliari.

Best draws: Sunderland v Aston Villa, West Ham v Manchester City, Charlton v Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday v Peterborough, Dundee v Hearts.

Five aways: Blackpool, Leicester, Celtic, Aberdeen, Udinese.

Nine homes: Norwich, Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Hull, Hibernian, Deportivo La Coruna, Real Madrid, AC Milan.


Pick of the draws: Sunderland v Aston Villa looks the likeliest low-scoring draw on the coupon as both these Premier League sides are so goal-shy. Manchester City are handily placed but tend to blow hot and cold. They will have their work cut out at West Ham, who are strong at home. Championship promotion contenders Middlesbrough are on a high after knocking Sunderland out of the League Cup but their hosts, Charlton, deserved their recent draws at Leeds and Wolves and can share the spoils again here. Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough, who play at Hillsborough, had morale-boosting victories last weekend in their fight to escape relegation and I cannot separate them. Dundee have been cut adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premier League but I've a feeling they will get something from the visit of Hearts, who have been mediocre this season.

Away days: Blackpool have been unlucky in their past two Championship fixtures and I believe they will take it out on Derby, who crashed to relegation strugglers Peterborough last Saturday. Although Leicester were beaten by Crystal Palace last weekend they are fancied to bounce straight back at Watford, who have already lost three at home. Similarly, Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic, who suffered a shock home defeat by Kilmarnock, will be determined to return to winning ways against Dundee United. Aberdeen are also riding high and are worth a punt at Ross. Udinese are better than their lowly position in the Italian League suggests - something which Bologna may discover.

Homes sweet homes: Norwich can carry on their good work of the past few weeks by beating Stoke at Carrow Road. Queens Park Rangers, bottom of the Premier League and without a win, will be confident of breaking their duck against Reading, who will surely be deflated after letting a four-goal lead slip against Arsenal in the League Cup. Managerless but in-form Crystal Palace are worth backing against fellow promotion contenders Blackburn while Deportivo can upset the form book when they entertain Mallorca in the Spanish League. 

Pools tips for weekend of October 27-28

Ten draws: Chelsea v Manchester United, Everton v Liverpool, Blackpool v Brighton, Leicester v Crystal Palace, Millwall v Huddersfield, Crawley v Oldham, Accrington v Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham v Exeter, Rotherham v Plymouth, Wycombe v Oxford.

Best draws: Chelsea v Manchester United, Everton v Liverpool, Leicester v Crystal Palace, Millwall v Huddersfield, Cheltenham v Exeter.

Five aways: Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Colchester, Gillingham, Bradford City.

Nine homes: Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle, Reading, Blackburn, Cardiff, Ipswich, Brentford, Tranmere.


Pick of the draws: Chelsea, the Premier League leaders, play host on Sunday to Manchester United, who are second. The corresponding fixture last season ended all square at 3-3 and I can see a repeat result. Unbeaten Chelsea have played some outstanding football this season. One cannot say the same about United but they have still have the priceless knack of picking up points when not at their best. Everton look a better side than their Merseyside rivals Liverpool but the latter usually raise themselves for this fixture and I've a hunch they will do it again. Championship leaders Leicester have not dropped a home point all season but if any team can dent that record it's Crystal Palace, who have already won three away matches. Millwall, who let slip a three-goal lead at home to Birmingham on Tuesday, are determined to be more resilient for the visit of promotion contenders Huddersfield, and I believe League Two away specialists Exeter will halt the promotion charge of Cheltenham.

Away days: Fifth-placed Tottenham look good for three points at struggling Southampton, who are conceding far too many goals. Nottingham Forest followed last Saturday's 3-1 Championship win over Cardiff with a well-earned point at Blackpool - form which should be good enough to overcome Barnsley. Colchester, with three consecutive victories, are on a roll in League One, whereas their opponents, Shrewsbury, are on a downer. League Two leaders Gillingham suffered a rare defeat at Torquay on Tuesday but I expect them to bounce straight back at AFC Wimbledon. Bradford City have made great strides recently and are worth a punt at Burton.

Homes sweet homes: Newcastle's 10 men were unlucky not to prevail at Sunderland last weekend and will be eager to make West Bromwich Albion pay for it. Reading are still without a Premier League win after seven matches but I'm taking them to end that sequence on Saturday against Fulham, who tend not to travel well. Managerless Blackburn should be too strong for Watford, who may feel the effects of ending Tuesday's Championship match against Cardiff with only nine men. Ipswich, without a home win so far, have slumped to the bottom of the table but perhaps sheer desperation will bring them three points against their rivals in distress, Sheffield Wednesday.

Pools tips for weekend of October 20-21

Ten draws: Sunderland v Newcastle, Tottenham v Chelsea, Huddersfield v Wolves, Watford v Peterborough, Coventry v Notts County, MK Dons v Stevenage, Yeovil v Bury, Bristol Rovers v Torquay, Morecambe v Southend, Dundee United v Aberdeen.

Best draws: Tottenham v Chelsea, Watford v Peterborough, Coventry v Notts County, MK Dons v Stevenage, Morecambe v Southend.

Five aways: Arsenal, Wigan, Manchester City, Leicester, Crawley.

Nine homes: Manchester United, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Derby, Hull, Colchester, Doncaster, Swindon, Bradford City.


Pick of the draws: Tottenham's Andre Villas-Boas will want to make a point against the club which sacked him as manager last season and I believe his in-form team will do it for him. I fancy leaders Chelsea to maintain their unbeaten run in the Premier League but I expect their lead over the two Manchester clubs to have been reduced by Saturday evening. Watford are finding life tough on their own ground (three home defeats already) in the Championship and bottom club Peterborough can take advantage of that. Mark Robins has made an immediate impact since being appointed manager at League One Coventry and I'm taking them to hold promotion-chasing Notts County. Apart from last week, Stevenage have been strong on their travels and their game at MK Dons, who are unbeaten at home, is perhaps the best draw bet on the coupon. Morecambe caused a League Two upset at Rochdale last Saturday and their 2-1 victory should give them heart against higher-placed Southend.

Away days: Arsenal to repeat last season's victory at Carrow Road against a struggling Norwich, who have yet to win in the Premier League this season. There are rumours of dressing-room unrest at Swansea, who are sliding down the table, so it may be worth having a punt on their enterprising visitors, Wigan. Manchester City showed signs of returning to their best form when beating Sunderland 3-0 and they can follow that up at West Bromwich, although the Midlanders have yet to drop a point at the Hawthorns. Leicester, who have climbed to second in the Championship, must be confident of adding Birmingham to their list of victims while, in League One, high-flying Crawley should take maximum points at Hartlepool, who are in all sorts of trouble.

Homes sweet homes: Nigel Clough's Derby are worth a shout against Blackburn, who have three more Championship points but are unsettled following the departure of manager Steve Kean. Colchester ended Stevenage's unbeaten run in League One last weekend with a merited victory and they can do as well against Carlisle, who have been erratic. I believe Doncaster will leapfrog Brentford after playing them on Saturday and don't be surprised if Bradford City make the most of ground advantage against Cheltenham in League Two, even though Cheltenham are unbeaten away.

Pools tips for weekend of October 13-14

Ten draws: Portsmouth v Crewe, Preston v MK Dons, Shrewsbury v Walsall, Northampton v Exeter, Rotherham v Southend, AFC Telford v Grimsby, Macclesfield v Newport, Mansfield v Forest Green, Corby v Altrincham, Worcester v Stalybridge.

Best draws: Portsmouth v Crewe, Shrewsbury v Walsall, Northampton v Exeter, Rotherham v Southend, Mansfield v Forest Green.

Five aways: Stevenage, Brentford, Cambridge, Tamworth, Chester.

Nine homes: Bournemouth, Carlisle, Crawley, Tranmere, Barnet, Chesterfield, Gillingham, Torquay, Luton.


Pick of the draws: League One crisis club Portsmouth are finding life more comfortable away from Fratton Park and will be hard-pressed facing Crewe, who have won their past two matches. Walsall are another League One side doing better away than at home and can earn a point at Shrewsbury on Sunday. Promotion contenders Exeter have won four out of five on their travels in League Two but I'm taking mid-table Northampton to deny them victory on Saturday. Rotherham and Southend, who meet on Saturday, have disappointed so far this season, so don't be surprised if they cancel each other out. Forest Green, although riding high in the Blue Square Premier, have lost their last two games and won't find Mansfield easy opposition.

Away days: Unbeaten Stevenage go from strength to strength in League One and must fancy their chances against Colchester, who are still adapting to their new manager. Brentford will be confident of recording their first win on their travels when they visit struggling Scunthorpe. In the Blue Square Premier, Cambridge are worth a flutter at Gateshead, who don't make the best use of home advantage, while away specialists Tamworth will surely gain three more points at bottom club Hyde. Promotion-chasing Chester, of the Blue Square North, should be backed at Bishop's Stortford.

Homes sweet homes: Lowly League One team Bournemouth, under caretaker-manager Dennis Rofe, are due a change of luck and they can surprise Leyton Orient. Carlisle are a match for anybody on their day. They entertain Notts County, who have slipped out of the play-off places after two consecutive defeats. Carlisle may inflict a third defeat in a row. Barnet, without a win in 11 matches, are in danger of being cast adrift at the bottom of League Two, but I have a hunch they will come good against Plymouth at Underhill. Torquay recovered from 3-0 down to beat Aldershot 4-3 in their last home game. This should put them in good heart for the visit of Accrington, who may find the long journey south counting against them.

Pools tips for weekend of October 6-7

Ten draws: Southampton v Fulham, Blackburn v Wolves, Derby v Brighton, Millwall v Bolton, Brentford v Crawley, Leyton Orient v Sheffield United, Notts County v Tranmere, Cheltenham v Fleetwood, Exeter v Port Vale, Oxford v Gillingham.

Best draws: Southampton v Fulham, Derby v Brighton, Brentford v Crawley, Leyton Orient v Sheffield United, Exeter v Port Vale.

Five aways: Manchester United, Everton, Cardiff, Swindon, Preston.

Nine homes: Chelsea, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham, Leicester, Peterborough, Coventry, Doncaster, Accrington.

Pick of the draws: Southampton were brought back down to earth by Everton in the Premier League at the weekend but they can give as good as they get against Fulham, who are not the same threat on their travels. Two poor home results have seen Brighton overtaken at the top of the Championship, so they will be eager to make up lost ground against erratic Derby. Promoted Crawley's progress in League One has been admirable and they look set to share the honours at Brentford. Sheffield United's unbeaten league record should survive a trip to Leyton Orient, although the East Londoners are now climbing the table after a bad start. Both Exeter and Port Vale will probably be in the League Two promotion shake-up and I cannot separate them this weekend.

Away days: Manchester United seldom lose two league games in a row. That's why I'm backing them to bounce back from last weekend's defeat by Tottenham when they visit Newcastle on Sunday. Everton are usually slow starters but not this season. Lying second in the Premier League, they will surely have too much for Wigan, who seem destined for another battle against relegation. Championship leaders Cardiff are fancied to strengthen their position after playing struggling Ipswich. In League One, Swindon are expected to show no mercy to bottom club Bury and a rapidly improving Preston are worth a punt against Oldham, who have yet to win at home.

Homes sweet homes: Birmingham surprised everybody by winning at high-flying Brighton last weekend and played well in defeat at Cardiff on Tuesday. That sort of form should be enough to see off promoted Huddersfield. Peterborough have finally woken up after a dreadful start to their Championship season, and I'm taking them to achieve a hat-trick of victories when Nottingham Forest come visiting. Crisis-club Coventry will be relieved to have chalked up their first win in League One at Oldham last Saturday and that will encourage them to gain maximum points against Bournemouth. In League Two, Accrington should be fresher than Rochdale, who had to play most of their midweek goalless draw against Bradford City with 10 men.