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.