Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Nov 22-23

Ten draws: Hull v Tottenham, Leicester v Sunderland, Bournemouth v Ipswich, Rotherham v Birmingham, Peterborough v Swindon, Accrington v Cambridge, Burton v Luton, Northampton v Stevenage, Partick v Aberdeen, Alloa v Falkirk.

Best draws: Leicester v Sunderland, Bournemouth v Ipswich, Rotherham v Birmingham, Burton v Luton, Northampton v Stevenage.

Best weekend away bets: Bolton, Middlesbrough, Barnsley, Wycombe, Carlisle, Plymouth.

Best weekend home bets: Stoke, Blackburn, Norwich, Crawley, Fleetwood, Hartlepool, Oxford, Hamilton, Cowdenbeath, East Fife.


Pick of the draws: Out-of form Leicester have fallen into the Premier League relegation zone. They are in worse shape than their opponents Sunderland, who seem to have recovered from their 8-0 hiding at Southampton. Leicester have won only once at home this season and I don't think they will be adding to that tally on Saturday. Bournemouth's climb into second place in the Championship is one of the success stories of the season but I fancy fast-improving Ipswich to take a point off them. New manager Gary Rowett looks as if he is turning things around at Birmingham and there is a good chance they will come away from Rotherham with something. League Two promotion contenders Burton appointed Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as manager last week and were immediately rewarded with a fine 3-1 victory at high-riding Wycombe. But they will have to do something special to beat leaders Luton, who have struck a rich vein of form. Northampton's slide down the table continues but they should check their descent by holding Stevenage.

Away days: Neil Lennon's Bolton look one of the best bets of the weekend. They travel to Blackpool, who even at this early stage seem doomed to relegation from the Championship. Blackpool are nine points behind Birmingham, the next-to-bottom club. With Derby having to go to Watford, Middlesbrough could be the division's new leaders at the weekend. All they have to do is defeat troubled Wigan, who are without a manager after Uwe Rosler's sacking. Barnsley are heading the right way in League One, whereas their opponents and hosts, Chesterfield, are going in the opposite direction. Barnsley have been strong on their travels and I'm taking them to register their fourth away win. Wycombe's League Two promotion hopes were damaged by their 3-1 home defeat to Burton last Monday but I believe they will recover quickly and that their hosts, Cheltenham, will feel the backlash. Struggling Carlisle are worth a punt at Dagenham & Redbridge, who are fading fast and were knocked out of the FA Cup by non-League Southport. Plymouth have earned their place in the play-offs and should be backed at Mansfield.

Homes sweet homes: Hartlepool may be bottom of League Two but my guess is that they are in better spirits than 21st-placed York, who cannot buy a win at the moment. My money will be on a home victory. Oxford have pulled seven points clear of the relegation zone and are beginning to look forward rather than behind them. Another three points on Saturday will put them in touch with League Two's mid-table sides and I reckon they will get them against AFC Wimbledon, who are nothing to write home about this season. Cowdenbeath are bottom of the Scottish Championship with only one home win to their name but they entertain Livingston, who are one point and one place above them and have failed to win away. Ground advantage gets my vote here.