Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 13-14

Ten draws: Sunderland v Tottenham, Blackpool v Wolves,  Charlton v Watford, Huddersfield v Middlesbrough, Bradford City v Swindon, Sheffield United v Rochdale, Accrington v AFC Wimbledon, Luton v Cheltenham, Dundee United v Hamilton.

Best draws: Blackpool v Wolves, Charlton v Watford, Huddersfield v Middlesbrough, Accrington v AFC Wimbledon, Luton v Cheltenham.

Best weekend away bets: Wigan, MK Dons, Fleetwood, Preston, Oxford, Hearts.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester United, Stoke, Ipswich, Reading, Chesterfield, Crewe, Leyton Orient, Peterborough, Hartlepool, Kilmarnock.


Pick of the draws: Blackpool are one of only two Football League clubs yet to collect a point this season, yet recent performances in the Championship have given their fans a glimmer of hope. Provided the team refuse to be downhearted, they have every chance of salvaging something from their home encounter with high-flying Wolves. Charlton's rise has been one of the talking points of the season but their 100 per cent home record could be dented by Watford, who are doing even better. Huddersfield, who have a new manager in former Charlton boss Chris Powell, should be capable of taking a point from the visit of Middlesbrough. AFC Wimbledon's away record is keeping them in the top half of League Two but they won't have things all their own way at Accrington, who gained their first victory of the season last Saturday. Cheltenham are the surprise leaders of League Two, unbeaten in six games. They can extend that sequence at goal-shy Luton.

Away days: Wigan have recovered from a slow start in the Championship and are getting into their stride. They are worth backing at Blackburn, who tend to blow hot and cold. MK Dons, on their day, are a match for anybody, as they showed when thrashing Manchester United in the League Cup, and I expect them to continue their League One progress by beating Barnsley. Fleetwood suffered their first setback of the season when losing at Oldham last Saturday but I believe they will bounce straight back at Crawley, who lost heavily at home to promoted Rochdale. Preston are a confident selection at Walsall, who have yet to prevail this season. The two bottom clubs in League Two, Exeter and Oxford, meet. Oxford played well in holding Southend to a draw last weekend and I've a hunch they will come out on top. Relegated Hearts have maximum points from four matches in the Scottish Championship. It will be a major upset if they slip up against lowly Dumbarton.

Homes sweet homes: A creditable away draw against Derby suggests that Ipswich may be about to turn the corner after a poor start to their Championship season. I'm taking them to overcome Millwall, who are five points and 14 places better off. Unless Crewe, the League One's bottom club, begin picking up points they will be staring relegation in the face. They have a good chance of getting off the mark against their local rivals Port Vale, who have disappointed so far this season. Hartlepool upset the League Two form book by defeating well-placed Shrewsbury last Saturday. They can do the same to Tranmere, who are finding it difficult adapting to life in a lower division. 


Pools info: Hull v West Ham (match No 4 on the coupon) has been moved back to Monday and will therefore be judged by the pools panel. 

Pools info: I scored eight out of 10 with my home selections last weekend.