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

Ten draws: Tottenham v Stoke, Fulham v Brighton, Ipswich v Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley v Burton, Bury v Swindon, Port Vale v Gillingham, Carlisle v Cambridge, Newport v Stevenage, Plymouth v Portsmouth, Dundee v St Johnstone.

Best draws: Ipswich v Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley v Burton, Port Vale v Gillingham, Newport v Stevenage, Plymouth v Portsmouth.

Best weekend away bets: Arsenal, Rochdale, Leyton Orient, Accrington, Hartlepool, Hearts.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Swansea, Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Oldham, Peterborough, Sheffield United, Crawley, Partick, Dunfermline.


Pick of the draws: Sheffield Wednesday have recorded two convincing wins from their opening two matches, so they'll be going to Ipswich with plenty of confidence. Ipswich have not made the most dynamic of starts in the Championship and they may have to settle for a draw. Promoted Burton have come out of the traps quickly in League One and will be looking for at least a point at Barnsley. Gillingham's 4-0 trouncing of Sheffield United was one of the upsets of last weekend. However, Port Vale won't roll over and will have been encouraged by their midweek League Cup victory over Championship team Burnley. Newport and Stevenage lost their opening League Two fixtures last Saturday and also made early exits from the midweek League Cup. With both teams taking time to find their feet, a draw is the likeliest result here. A much-changed Portsmouth side will want to improve their away form this season but should find Plymouth tricky opponents.

Away days: Arsenal's home defeat by West Ham in the Premier League last Sunday was a real coupon-buster and they will be determined to return to winning ways at Crystal Palace, where they have an impressive record. Rochdale are one of the more attractive teams in League One and can prove it at Blackpool, who are in a sorry state after their relegation last season. Relegated Leyton Orient won their League Two game against Barnet last Saturday and nearly knocked MK Dons out of the League Cup in midweek. They will surely be too good for Dagenham & Redbridge, who have shipped seven goals in their first two matches. Accrington, who gained a creditable home draw against Luton, are worth a punt at Morecambe, who have so far failed to score. Hartlepool, with two wins from two, must fancy their chances at York, who crashed 3-0 at Wycombe last weekend. Promoted Hearts lead the Scottish Premiership with three wins from three games and a trip to Ross should hold no fears.

Homes sweet homes: Manchester City beat West Bromwich Albion so convincingly last Monday that I'm taking them to put one over the Premier League champions Chelsea, where all is not well. Last Saturday's 2-2 home draw against Swansea seemed to confirm that. Although promoted Bristol City have lost their opening two matches, I believe they will stop the rot against Brentford, who may regret their decision to dispense with the services of manager Mark Warburton. Sheffield United's 4-0 away loss to Gillingham last Saturday was a slap in the face but I'm confident they'll recover quickly. That's why I'm backing them to make the most of ground advantage against Chesterfield. I expect Partick, of the Scottish Premiership, to pile on more misery for bottom-of-the-table Kilmarnock.

Pools Info: Liverpool v Bournemouth (No 3 on coupon) will be decided by the pools panel. Aston Villa v Manchester United (1) and Notts County v Mansfield (43) are void.