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.