Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Nov 15-16

Ten draws: Gillingham v Leyton Orient, Port Vale v Rochdale, Carlisle v Accrington, Stevenage v Cheltenham, Airdrieonians v Morton, Ayr v Peterhead, Albion v Arbroath, Altrincham v Grimsby, Chester v Gateshead, Torquay v Forest Green.

Best draws: Carlisle v Accrington, Stevenage v Cheltenham, Albion v Arbroath, Chester v Gateshead, Torquay v Forest Green.

Best weekend away bets: Notts County, Chesterfield, Bury, Hearts, Stranraer, Queen's Park.

Best weekend home bets: Oldham, Preston, Swindon, Walsall, Yeovil, Wimbledon, Shrewsbury, Raith, Clyde, England.


Pick of the draws: League Two strugglers Carlisle put up a terrific fight before going out of the FA Cup to a last-minute goal at League One Peterborough last Saturday. They are playing better than their league position suggests but their opponents, Accrington, have forced an FA Cup replay against high-riding Notts County and are also doing well. Stevenage have not drawn at home this season but there is a good chance of them doing that against Cheltenham, who have only one more point and are only three places higher than them. Arbroath's seemingly smooth progress to the Scottish League Two title was halted when they lost at home to Queen's Park. Expect a positive reaction when they visit third-placed Albion. Albion are strong at home but Arbroath have won all their away matches. Conference side Chester caused one of last weekend's FA Cup upsets by beating Southend away. They host promotion contenders Gateshead, who have lost only once on their travels. Also in the Conference, Forest Green continue to punch above their weight. They have drawn four times away from home and I can see them making it five at Torquay, who are steadily climbing the table.

Away days: The return to the Ricoh Stadium has not helped Coventry as much as they thought and they will be feeling especially low this week after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Worcester, of the Conference North, last Sunday. Coventry's opponents on Saturday are Notts County, who are unbeaten away and sixth in League One. It will be a surprise if they slip up here. Chesterfield emerged from their poor run of form with a 6-0 victory at Braintree in the FA Cup first round. They must be fancied to prevail at bottom club Crewe, who have averaged less than a goal a game from their 16 league fixtures. Bury are heavily involved in the League Two promotion shake-up and I believe they will defeat Morecambe, who have stumbled lately. Hearts, clear leaders in the Scottish Championship, must be fancied at mid-table Falkirk and Stranraer, fourth in Scottish League One, will be confident of beating bottom team Stirling. In Scottish League Two, I go for second-placed Queen's Park to inflict more misery on lowly Elgin. 

Homes sweet homes: I've a hunch that League One leaders Bristol City will lose their unbeaten record at Swindon, who can beat anybody on their day. Although Swindon lost 
5-0 at League Two Cheltenham in the FA Cup last weekend, they played with 10 men for most of the match and will be eager to make amends on Saturday. Peterborough have slipped out of the League One play-off places after being beaten by sides below them. Inconsistent Walsall come into this category and are worth a punt on Saturday. Yeovil, second bottom in League One, badly need maximum points and I think they will get them against Fleetwood, who have already lost six away league matches and bowed out of the FA Cup when they lost at League Two Cambridge last weekend. 

Pools info: The results of Scunthorpe v MK Dons (No 7 on coupon) and Wycombe v Burton (18) will be decided by the pools panel.