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.