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

Ten draws: Leicester v Sunderland, Blackburn v Wolves, Leeds v Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday v Bristol City, Coventry v Wigan, Crewe v Port Vale, Swindon v Bradford City, Cambridge v Newport, Hartlepool v Morecambe, Mansfield v Carlisle.

Best draws: Blackburn v Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday v Bristol City, Coventry v Wigan, Cambridge v Newport, Hartlepool v Morecambe.

Best weekend away bets: Southampton, Derby, Sheffield United, Millwall, Luton, Hibernian.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Bournemouth, Everton, Birmingham, Cardiff, Burton, Leyton Orient, Oxford, Stevenage, Raith.


Pick of the draws: Wolves were a whisker away from the Championship play-offs last season and they can carry that momentum into this campaign with a point at Blackburn. Bristol City won League One in such convincing fashion that they will feel confident of getting something from their trip to Sheffield Wednesday, who were so inconsistent last season. Ailing Coventry and relegated Wigan will be looking for better campaigns this time around but I'm plumping for a stalemate on Saturday. Eleven home defeats let Cambridge down in League Two but I'll be surprised if they lose to Newport, who faded at the final hurdle last season. Hartlepool's escape from almost certain relegation was one of the stories of last season but they face a tricky task against Morecambe, who are better away than at home, having won nine times on their travels.

Away days: Newcastle, despite a change of manager and two summer signings, still don't inspire confidence and Southampton, their Premier League visitors on Sunday, can come away with three points. Derby will be keen to make up for last season's late collapse in the Championship, so take a punt on them beating Bolton. In League One, Sheffield United, now managed by Nigel Adkins after Nigel Clough's unexpected dismissal, are worth a gamble at Gillingham and relegated Millwall should start well by winning at promoted Shrewsbury. In the Scottish Championship, Hibernian look too strong for Dumbarton.

Homes sweet homes: Of the three promoted teams to the Premier League, I believe Bournemouth are most likely to stay up. I'm taking them to make the most of ground advantage against Aston Villa, who have lost Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph this summer. Promoted Burton look a force to be reckoned with in League One under the management of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and I'm backing them to take maximum points against Scunthorpe. Teddy Sheringham will be eager to make an immediate impact as manager at Stevenage, who reached the League Two play-offs last season. I've a hunch he'll begin with a victory over relegated Notts County.

Pools info: West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City (No 10 on the coupon) will be decided by the pools panel. Brighton v Nottingham Forest (15) is void.