Pools tips for weekend of September 28-29

Ten draws: Fulham v Cardiff, Swansea v Arsenal, Bournemouth v Blackburn, Millwall v Leeds, Rotherham v Peterborough, Hartlepool v Oxford, Northampton v Morecambe, Rochdale v Wycombe, Motherwell v Ross, St Johnstone v Partick.

Best draws: Swansea v Arsenal, Bournemouth v Blackburn, Millwall v Leeds, Hartlepool v Oxford, Northampton v Morecambe.

                                     Have a flutter on the following

Best away bets: Man City, Doncaster, Oldham, Port Vale, AFC Wimbledon, Portsmouth.

Best home bets: Man Utd, Stoke, Bolton, Burnley, Ipswich, Bradford City, Bristol City, Wolves, Fleetwood, Plymouth.

Pick of the draws: Arsenal's astonishing achievement of 11 consecutive away wins could come to an end in Saturday's early evening match at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea are looking good again and are a tough nut to crack at home. Blackburn are showing signs of recovery after a rotten start to the season in the Championship and can hold Bournemouth, who are four points better off. A few weeks ago Millwall v Leeds looked an away banker. Since then, Millwall have beaten Blackpool and Charlton while Leeds have lost to Reading and Burnley, narrowing the gap between the clubs to just three points. In League Two, Hartlepool's recent results have lifted some of the gloom and I'm taking them to surprise promotion contenders Oxford. Northampton's decline has raised a few eyebrows and Ithey will be hard-pushed to take more than a point off Morecambe.

Away days: Manchester City, with nine goals from their past two matches, have suddenly clicked and must be backed to beat Aston Villa, who suffered a heavy home defeat against Tottenham in the League Cup. Although Doncaster have done nothing special in the Championship, they must fancy their chances at Sheffield Wednesday, who have yet to record a league victory this season. In League One, Oldham have played better than their position suggests and are worth a wager at Crawley. Port Vale's win over Coventry last weekend will have boosted their confidence and they are in far better shape than troubled Tranmere. AFC Wimbledon are going along nicely in League Two and are tipped to prevail at lowly Cheltenham. Portsmouth's away form is better than their results at Fratton Park and I reckon they will have too much for York.

Homes sweet homes: Bolton, bottom of the Championship and without a victory in eight matches, are long overdue a change of fortune and I believe they will get it against fellow strugglers Yeovil. Ipswich's home form is pretty solid, which makes me think they will come out on top against inconsistent Brighton. Bristol City have struggled to adapt to life in League One. They are in the relegation zone with no wins from eight games but they played well in defeat at Swindon last Saturday and I've a hunch they will break their duck against mid-table Colchester.


Pools info: Huddersfield v Blackpool (match No 12 on the coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void. St Mirren v Aberdeen (match No 47 on the coupon) has been put back to Monday and is subject to a pools panel verdict.