Pools tips for weekend of August 24-25

Ten draws: Aston Villa v Liverpool, Hull v Norwich, Blackburn v Barnsley, Blackpool v Reading, Watford v Nottingham Forest, Rotherham v Shrewsbury, Accrington v Cheltenham, Mansfield v Portsmouth, Morecambe v Exeter, Dundee United v St Johnstone.

Best draws: Aston Villa v Liverpool, Blackburn v Barnsley, Blackpool v Reading, Accrington v Cheltenham, Morecambe v Exeter.

Five aways: Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers, Derby, Gillingham, Peterborough.

Nine homes: Fulham, Stoke, Leicester, Wigan, Coventry, Leyton Orient, Notts County, Burton, Chesterfield.


Pick of the draws: Aston Villa's merited victory over Arsenal last Saturday will have given them confidence and taking Liverpool's encouraging start into consideration, this fixture looks one of the best  three-pointers on the coupon. In the Championship, Blackburn have done nothing to allay their supporters' fears and may be hard-pressed to take more than a point off Barnsley, who have also begun poorly. Blackpool have made early progress under Paul Ince but will probably find relegated Reading a tough nut to crack. Hosts Accrington and visitors Cheltenham have been slow out of the blocks in League Two and a stalemate is on the cards. There could be a similar outcome at Morecambe, where Exeter are the visitors.

Away days: Manchester City looked terrific in beating Newcastle 4-0 on Monday and must be fancied to carry on the good work at promoted Cardiff, who gave West Ham few problems in their 2-0 defeat last weekend. Queens Park Rangers have hit the ground running in the Championship and I'm taking them to beat Bolton, who have started the season sluggishly. There are early signs that Derby are a stronger side this season and must be a good bet to prevail at Yeovil. In League One, Gillingham have played better than their results suggest and a worth a wager at Swindon, who fail to convince. With maximum points from their opening three matches, Peterborough seem set for a quick return to the Championship and should gain their fourth consecutive win - at troubled Tranmere.

Homes sweet homes: It's a good time to play Arsenal, who are in turmoil. Fulham face them at Craven Cottage on Saturday and will be confident of three more points, following their victory at Sunderland last weekend. Things have not gone according to plan for relegated Wigan so far. Owen Coyle's team are capable of better and should send Middlesbrough home pointless. A 10-point points deduction has inspired rather than deflated Coventry at the foot of League One, so they are certainly worth a punt against mid-table Preston. In the top-of-the-table League Two clash, I believe Chesterfield will come out on top against Southend.