Pools tips for weekend of August 10-11

Ten draws: Bolton v Reading, Ipswich v Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday v Burnley, Rotherham v Preston, Tranmere v Crawley, AFC Wimbledon v Wycombe, Mansfield v Exeter, Dundee United v Inverness, Hearts v Hibernian, Dumbarton v Falkirk.

Best draws: Bolton v Reading, Ipswich v Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday v Burnley, Tranmere v Crawley, AFC Wimbledon v Wycombe.

Five aways: Queens Park Rangers, Bristol City, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Fleetwood.

Nine homes: Manchester United, Charlton, Leicester, Watford, Bradford City, Brentford, Leyton Orient, Wolves, Oxford.


Pick of the draws: I expect Bolton and Reading to be involved in the promotion race to the Premier League this season. Both had good results at the weekend, which makes a stalemate likely on Saturday.  That League Cup loss to Stevenage will have shaken Ipswich's confidence, so don't be surprised if Millwall snatch a point at Portman Road. Sheffield Wednesday's record reads two away games played, two defeats. However, they are a tougher proposition at home and I believe they will share the spoils with Burnley. League One team Tranmere have been on a downer since the end of last season and will find it difficult against free-scoring Crawley. Wycombe seem to be on the up in League Two and I'm backing them to hold AFC Wimbledon.

Away days: There's a spring in the step of Queens Park Rangers and they can gain their third victory in eight days at Huddersfield. With Coventry having to play their home matches 30 miles away at Northampton this season, you've got to fancy their opponents. This weekend it's Bristol City, who are eager to make an immediate return to the Championship. Relegated Peterborough have got off to a flyer  with wins over Swindon and Colchester (League Cup) and should be backed at Notts County. Portsmouth's home defeat by Oxford in League Two was probably the upset of last weekend, but I'm tipping them to bounce straight back at Accrington. Fleetwood, who travel to Plymouth, are another confident selection.

Homes sweet homes: Leicester, two wins out of two so far, can confirm their Championship promotion credentials by beating Leeds on Sunday. Promoted Bradford City did well to come away with a draw from Bristol City last Saturday and will probably make life awkward for Carlisle, who suffered a heavy home defeat on the first day of the season. Also in League One, it's worth having a punt on Brentford, who just missed out on promotion last season. They host Sheffield United, who were knocked out of the League Cup by League Two Burton. Relegated Wolves have yet to score after two matches but they will surely break their duck against promoted Gillingham at Molineux on Saturday.