Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Sept 12-13

Ten draws: West Bromwich v Southampton, Brighton v Hull, Middlesbrough v MK Dons, Barnsley v Swindon, Burton v Rochdale, Oldham v Peterborough, Southend v Shrewsbury, Stevenage v York, Braintree v Barrow, Bromley v Macclesfield.

Best draws: West Bromwich v Southampton, Brighton v Hull, Barnsley v Swindon, Oldham v Peterborough, Southend v Shrewsbury.

Best weekend away bets: Swansea, Wolves, Wigan, Coventry, Morecambe, Dundee.

Best weekend home bets: Norwich, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, Queens Park Rangers, Crewe, Walsall, Exeter, FC Halifax, East Fife.


Pick of the draws: Although West Bromwich Albion have lost their first two Premier League home games of the season, they will be disappointed not to get something from the visit of Southampton. The Saints have not clicked into gear yet, although they showed more promising signs when defeating Norwich 3-0 at home the Sunday before last. Brighton and Hull, first and second respectively in the Championship, clash on Saturday. Both teams have surpassed expectations so far this season and I'm expecting a share of the spoils. In League One, Swindon recovered from a 2-0 home defeat by Sheffield United with a 3-1 victory at Crewe. They are unbeaten away, which should stand them in good stead at Barnsley. Dave Robertson became the first managerial casualty of the season when Peterborough sacked him last Sunday. Posh have underperformed so far but their hosts on Saturday, Oldham, have been no more than average and a draw is on the cards. Southend and Shrewsbury, both promoted from League Two last term, have found life difficult in a higher division but recorded their first league wins of the season last weekend. It is difficult to separate them.

Away days: Swansea's 2-1 home victory over Manchester United the Sunday before last confirmed their Premier League quality and they will surely be too good for promoted Watford, who are struggling for points and goals. Wolves have experienced an early-season wobble in the Championship but they will probably be too strong for Bolton, who are second from bottom after a wretched start to the season. Wigan are steadily climbing League One following two consecutive wins and I believe they'll make it a hat-trick at Port Vale. Coventry are second after beating Burton away last Sunday and will be confident of prevailing at Scunthorpe. Morecambe's impressive form in League Two cannot be overlooked. They came back from 2-0 down at Yeovil to win 4-2 last Saturday and I expect another three-point haul at bottom club Newport. In the Scottish Premiership, Dundee are worth a punt at Partick, who look early relegation candidates.

Homes sweet homes: Norwich's 3-0 defeat at Southampton the Sunday before last was slightly misleading as they were down to 10 men. Apart from that result, Norwich have coped well in the Premier League and I think ground advantage will give them the edge over Bournemouth, another promoted team. Crewe, bottom of League One, are without a win from six matches but, by all accounts, their 3-1 loss to Swindon last weekend was undeserved. They are due a change of luck and they may get it against Millwall, who have been struggling themselves. FC Halifax and Kidderminster, somewhat surprisingly, fill the last two places in the National League and I'm taking Halifax to win their bottom-of-the-table encounter.