Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Nov 8-9

Ten draws: Queens Park Rangers v Manchester City, Swansea v Arsenal, Birmingham v Cardiff, Fulham v Huddersfield, Millwall v Brentford, Nottingham Forest v Norwich, Inverness v Hamilton, Morton v Forfar, East Fife v Albion, Espanyol v Villarreal.

Best draws: Swansea v Arsenal, Birmingham v Cardiff, Fulham v Huddersfield, Nottingham Forest v Norwich, Inverness v Hamilton.

Best weekend away bets: Newcastle, Blackburn, Partick, Hibernian, Annan, Bristol Rovers.

Best weekend home bets: Burnley, Manchester United, Southampton, West Ham, Ipswich, Reading, Dundee, Kilmarnock, Barnsley, Port Vale.


Pick of the draws: Arsenal's soft centre was exposed when relinquishing a 3-0 lead against Anderlecht in the Champions League. Swansea are as good as, if not better than, Anderlecht and you have to fancy their chances of holding the Gunners. Lowly Birmingham have been given an instant lift by new manager Gary Rowett, drawing away at Wolves and beating Watford at St Andrew's. Although they are notoriously poor at home, they can get something from the visit of Cardiff. Fulham and Huddersfield are two of the Championship's most improved teams. They meet at the Cottage and there is little to separate them. By way of contrast, Nottingham Forest and Norwich are on a downer, so don't be surprised if neither gain maximum points. Hamilton lost the leadership of the Scottish Premiership after being held to a home draw by Partick last Saturday. They are more successful away and I believe they will maintain that record against Inverness.

Away days: Newcastle, with four successive wins behind them, are on a roll and will overtake West Bromwich in the Premier League if they win at the Hawthorns on Sunday. Blackburn have a good opportunity to move into the Championship play-off positions with a victory over struggling Brighton. They showed what they could do on their travels when they won 3-1 at Nottingham Forest two weeks ago. Partick, who have not won away in the Scottish Premiership, visit St Mirren, who have not won at home. However, Partick are in better form, as was seen in their 3-3 draw at title contenders Hamilton last weekend. Hibernian are getting up a head of steam after a terrible start to the season in the Scottish Championship and should be backed at bottom club Cowdenbeath. In Scottish League Two, the claims of promotion-seeking Annan cannot be ignored at Elgin while in the FA Cup first round, relegated Bristol Rovers, who are steadily climbing the Vanarama Conference, are well worth a punt at League Two strugglers Tranmere, who have won only once at home this season.

Homes sweet homes: Bottom club Burnley are overdue a win in the Premier League and I think they will get it against Hull, whose progress is being hampered by injuries. Ipswich have regained their confidence after a brief stumble and are fancied against Watford, who have been toppled from the top of the Championship. Reading have underachieved so far but they remain a tough nut to crack at home and I expect them to see off the better-placed Charlton. There are bound to be the usual surprises on the weekend of the FA Cup first round. I've a feeling that much-improved Port Vale knocking out the highly regarded MK Dons will be one of them. 

Pools info: Motherwell v Dundee United (No 23 on the coupon) and Cordoba v Deportivo La Coruna (42) are void.