Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Sept 19-20

Ten draws: Swansea v Everton, Tottenham v Crystal Palace, Brentford v Preston, Bristol City v Reading, Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham, Blackpool v Barnsley, Peterborough v Walsall, York v Carlisle, Dundee United v Inverness, Hearts v Aberdeen.

Best draws: Swansea v Everton, Tottenham v Crystal Palace, Blackpool v Barnsley, Peterborough v Walsall, Hearts v Aberdeen.

Best weekend away bets: Bolton, Cardiff, Notts County, Falkirk, Rangers, Hibernian.

Best weekend home bets: Bournemouth, Blackburn, Bury, Coventry, Rochdale, Wigan, Barnet, Hartlepool, Morecambe, Plymouth.


Pick of the draws: Swansea will want to make amends for their unexpected defeat at Watford last Saturday but may be thwarted by Everton, who played really well in beating Premier League champions Chelsea 3-1 at home. Tottenham were relieved to gain their first win of the season at Sunderland last Sunday. They have drawn both of their home fixtures and I think they will draw again on Sunday when Crystal Palace are the visitors. Palace have won both their away matches and their victory at Chelsea two weeks ago was a huge result. A top six placing for them is not out of the question. Blackpool lost narrowly at League One leaders Gillingham last weekend and their position does not look as hopeless now. They are capable of taking a point off mid-table Barnsley. Peterborough, without a manager, pulled off one of the results of last weekend by winning 5-1 at Oldham. That should give them the confidence they need when they host second-placed Walsall. Aberdeen, top of the Scottish Premiership after seven wins from seven matches, are daunting opposition but third-placed Hearts are well equipped to check their progress.

Away days: Manager Neil Lennon must be disappointed at the way Bolton have started their season in the Championship but they are worth backing at Huddersfield, who are in an even worse position after two draws and a loss from three home games. Cardiff, early promotion contenders, slipped up at home to Hull in midweek but manager Russell Slade is doing a good job there and I fancy them to get back on track against bottom club Rotherham. Apart from their impressive opening-day win at Stevenage, relegated Notts County have not done themselves justice in League Two but a trip to inconsistent AFC Wimbledon on Saturday could be a chance for them to spring a surprise. My other three aways are in the Scottish Championship. Second-placed Falkirk look a banker at lowly Alloa, leaders Rangers should be too strong for Dumbarton and Hibernian are expected to see off bottom club Livingston.

Homes sweet homes: Although Blackburn are without a win from six Championship matches, they were unlucky to lose at Fulham last Sunday and gained a creditable draw at Queens Park Rangers in midweek. They are worth a punt against Charlton, who tend to blow hot and cold. Barnet occupy one of the relegation places in League Two but have been playing better than their record suggests and manager Martin Allen will make sure they are fully motivated when their local rivals Stevenage come to visit. Hartlepool have gone backwards recently but they only succumbed to a last-minute goal at Exeter last Saturday and I believe they will return to winning ways against Cambridge, who are erratic.

Pools info: Derby v Burnley (No 13 on coupon) has been switched to Monday and will be adjudicated by the pools panel.