Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Oct 11-12

Ten draws: Barnsley v Bradford City, Colchester v Fleetwood, Morecambe v Wycombe, Tranmere v Plymouth, Aldershot v Bristol Rovers, Altrincham v Woking, Barnet v Kidderminster, Dover v Chester FC, Forest Green v Gateshead, East Stirling v Queen's Park.

Best draws: Barnsley v Bradford City, Tranmere v Plymouth, Aldershot v Bristol Rovers, Altrincham v Woking, Barnet v Kidderminster.

Best weekend away bets: Peterborough, Coventry, Yeovil, Hearts, Germany, England.

Best weekend home bets: Gillingham, Sheffield United, Accrington, Carlisle, Exeter, Luton, Portsmouth, Shrewsbury, Hibernian, East Fife.


Pick of the draws: Bradford City are unbeaten away from home in League One. They should keep that record on Sunday at Barnsley, who have disappointed on their own ground. However, Barnsley gained a creditable away win against Rochdale last Saturday and won't let Bradford have all their own way. Plymouth have made significant strides in League Two recently but they are poor travellers, having already lost four times on the road this season. Tranmere, third from bottom, desperately need points and I think they will pinch one on Saturday. Bristol Rovers have climbed into promotion contention in the Conference and look good for a share of the spoils at mid-table Aldershot. Altrincham's 3-1 victory at FC Halifax last weekend was one of the upsets of the season. That should give them the confidence to hold promotion-seeking Woking. Barnet's midweek defeat at Macclesfield reduced their lead at the top of the table to three points. Don't be surprised if visiting Kidderminster also inconvenience them.

Away days: Peterborough's results in League One have held up well away from home and I'm taking them to gain another three points at Crawley, who are flaky. Although Coventry are without an away win, it is impossible to overlook their chances at rock-bottom Crewe, who have collected only four points this season and keep suffering heavy defeats. Improving Yeovil should be backed at Port Vale, who have slipped into the relegation zone. Hearts have won seven of their eight matches in the Scottish Championship and lead the table by six points. They will surely add lowly Alloa to their list of victims. Germany have had a slight hangover since their World Cup triumph but I expect it will be business as usual in their European Championship qualifier in Poland. England will have been relieved to have won in Switzerland and shouldn't find Estonia half as difficult in their qualifier on Sunday.

Homes sweet homes: League Two strugglers Carlisle are responding well to the management of Keith Curle. I believe they will follow up last Saturday's fine 3-0 win at manager-less Hartlepool with another three points against Stevenage. Promoted Luton moved into the play-off places by deservedly beating Stevenage away last weekend. They seem to be over their recent rough patch and have a fighting chance against fellow promotion contenders Southend. Shrewsbury have dropped just one point at home this season. I'm taking them to improve that record against Cheltenham, whose progress has stalled.


Pools info: The matches at Doncaster (No 6 on coupon), MK Dons (8), Swindon (12), Cowdenbeath (37), Falkirk (38), Stranraer (44), Annan (45), Berwick (46) and Elgin (49) will be decided by the pools panel. Ayr v Dunfermline (41) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.