Pools tips for weekend of November 30-December 1

Ten draws: Newcastle v West Bromwich Albion, Norwich v Crystal Palace, Barnsley v Birmingham, Wigan v Derby, Oldham v Bradford City, Stevenage v Shrewsbury, Walsall v Port Vale, Bristol Rovers v AFC Wimbledon, Plymouth v Burton, York v Rochdale.

Best draws: Norwich v Crystal Palace, Barnsley v Birmingham, Wigan v Derby, Oldham v Bradford City, York v Rochdale.

Best weekend away tips: Arsenal, Liverpool, Fulham, Leeds, Queens Park Rangers, Brentford.

Best weekend home tips: Manchester City, Blackpool, Charlton, Leicester, Watford, Preston, Tranmere, Mansfield, Scunthorpe, Southend.


Pick of the draws: There is fresh hope for Crystal Palace's Premier League survival after last weekend's win at Hull. Now under new manager Tony Pulis, Palace can gain their first away draw of the season at Norwich, who are much stronger at home than when they travel. Barnsley cannot shake off their Championship blues and Saturday's fixture against mediocre Birmingham looks as good a draw as any on the coupon. Derby's position just outside the play-offs is mostly down to their fine away form and there is no reason to fear Sunday's trip to Wigan, who are finding it hard to score goals. Oldham are one of the most improved sides in League One and I am tipping them to share the spoils with play-off contenders Bradford City. Rochdale's progress in League Two came to a juddering halt with a 4-0 home defeat by Scunthorpe. That should encourage their hosts York, who are battling to stay out of the relegation zone.

Away days: Premier League leaders Arsenal will be anxious to see their recent defeat at Old Trafford as a blip rather than the start of a trend. Expect them to resume their away dominance at promoted Cardiff. Liverpool, who are second by virtue of goals scored, should be too strong for Hull, who are one of several PL teams precariously placed. Fulham, although third from bottom and clearly struggling, are worth a punt at West Ham, who are desperately short of forwards and have won only once at Upton Park this season. Leeds have forced their way into Championship play-off contention and I believe they will confirm their improvement against mid-table Blackburn. It's impossible to ignore the claims of promotion-seeking QPR at lowly Doncaster and the same can be said of League One high-flyers Brentford, who visit bottom club Notts County.

Homes sweet homes: I can't help thinking Charlton are in a false position in the Championship, where they lie 17th. Their midweek home victory over Doncaster will lift morale and they can further improve their situation by defeating inconsistent Ipswich at The Valley. Tranmere's 5-1 thrashing of Coventry last Saturday was one of the results of the season. It lifted them out of the League One relegation zone and I fancy them to move further away from danger by beating Colchester. League Two Mansfield are on the slide at the moment but I've a hunch they will stop the rot against Morecambe. 

Pools info: Albion v East Stirling (match No 45 on the coupon), Clyde v Annan (46) and Stirling v Berwick (49) will be decided by the Pools Panel.