Pools tips for weekend of November 16-17

Ten draws: Colchester v Swindon, Leyton Orient v Preston, Dagenham & Redbridge v Burton, York v Plymouth, Forest Green v Lincoln, Gateshead v Salisbury, Southport v Hereford, Livingston v Dumbarton, East Fife v Stranraer, Montrose v Albion.

Best draws: Colchester v Swindon, Leyton Orient v Preston, York v Plymouth, Forest Green v Lincoln, Gateshead v Salisbury.

Best weekend away bets: Rotherham, Bristol City, Fleetwood, Chesterfield, Hamilton, Morton.

Best weekend home bets: Brentford, Port Vale, Sheffield United, Mansfield, Scunthorpe, Wycombe, Rangers, Stenhousemuir, Clyde, Peterhead.


Pick of the draws: League One promotion contenders Swindon will be anxious to bounce straight back after their humiliating FA Cup first-round exit by non-League Macclesfield and I believe they will do so against middle-of-the-table Colchester, who already have eight draws to their name. League One leaders Leyton Orient are perhaps the team of the season so far but Preston, who have climbed to fourth, have the pedigree to check their progress. York have found it hard going in League Two, as have their visitors Plymouth. Plymouth have not drawn away in the league this season but I think they might change at the weekend. Forest Green have won their last two at home in the Skrill Premier but I'm backing improving Lincoln to stop them making it a hat-trick. Gateshead gained a creditable draw at Oxford United in the FA Cup first round last weekend, which will make them believe they can deny play-off contenders Salisbury maximum points.

Away days: With two consecutive victories behind them, League One Rotherham appear to be over their indifferent spell and you have to fancy their chances at Stevenage. Bristol City are at last emerging from their nightmare period and are worth a punt at Tranmere, who have the same number of points. Fleetwood's away form has propelled them to the top of League Two and I expect them to triumph at bottom club Northampton. Third-placed Chesterfield returned to winning ways in the FA Cup and they are worth supporting at ailing Torquay. Hamilton, the Scottish League One leaders, should confirm their superiority over lowly Cowdenbeath and I've a hunch Morton will win their first away game of the season at fellow strugglers Queen of the South.

Homes sweet homes: New manager Nigel Clough has already made a difference at Sheffield United, who can climb out of the League One relegation zone by beating Gillingham. League Two Mansfield stopped the rot by scoring eight against non-League St Albans in the FA Cup first round. That should encourage them to inflict Oxford's first away defeat of the season. East Stirling may lead Scottish League Two but they could be heading for a fall at Peterhead, who have rediscovered their spark in recent weeks. Take a chance on a home win. 


Pools info: Walsall v Peterborough (match No 10 on the coupon) has been put back to Monday and is therefore subject to a pools panel verdict.