Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 5-6

Ten draws: Chesterfield v Wigan, Fleetwood v Rochdale, Bristol Rovers v Oxford, Mansfield v AFC Wimbledon, Yeovil v Morecambe, Chester FC v Forest Green, Kidderminster v Braintree, Livingston v Morton, Forfar v Dunfermline, Annan v East Fife.

Best draws: Fleetwood v Rochdale, Bristol Rovers v Oxford, Yeovil v Morecambe, Chester FC v Forest Green, Forfar v Dunfermline.

Best weekend away bets: Swindon, Plymouth, Cheltenham, Gateshead, Tranmere, Clyde.

Best weekend home bets: Barnsley, Scunthorpe, Southend, Walsall, Newport, Portsmouth, Wycombe, Aldershot, Torquay, Dumbarton.


Pick of the draws: Fleetwood's progress in League One was checked when they lost 2-0 at Doncaster last Saturday. I believe they will be frustrated again when fifth-placed Rochdale come calling. Oxford are one of the most improved teams in League Two and well equipped on Sunday to take a point off promoted Bristol Rovers, who are adapting well to a higher division. Yeovil showed signs of stirring with a recent victory over Luton and they will be hopeful of at least nicking a point off Morecambe. Leaders Forest Green have maximum points from seven matches in the National League but they could stumble against Chester, who are rapidly climbing the table and scored two late goals to win at Macclesfield last Saturday. It's first against second in Scottish League One where Forfar entertain Dunfermline and a draw is the likeliest result.

Away days: Swindon must be fancied at Crewe, who are second bottom in League One and without a win from five games. Plymouth's early-season form in League Two has been impressive and they can continue in that vein at Stevenage, who have begun sluggishly. Cheltenham are among the early front-runners in the National League and look a good proposition at Altrincham. Ditto Gateshead at Bromley. Relegated Tranmere are finding life tougher in this league than they imagined but they should gain maximum points at Welling, who are among the relegation favourites. In Scottish League Two, Clyde are worth a punt at Arbroath, who only gained their first point of the season last weekend.

Homes sweet homes: Promoted Southend have been struggling in League One but drawing 2-2 at Coventry last Monday will have done wonders for their morale. I'm taking them to beat Peterborough, who are three places and one point above them. Terry Butcher's Newport are at the foot of League Two but playing better than their record suggests. I believe they will defeat York, who are also in the wrong half of the table. Finally, Torquay are stuck in mid-table in the National League but should have enough about them to send Guiseley home pointless.


Pools info: Sheffield United v Colchester (No 10 on coupon), Notts County v Crawley (20) and Falkirk v Hibernian (38) will be decided by the pools panel. Ayr v Stenhousemuir (42) is void.