Pools tips and best bets for weekend of November 7-8

Ten draws: Norwich v Swansea, West Ham v Everton, Cardiff v Reading, Huddersfield v Leeds, Hull v Middlesbrough, Aberdeen v Dundee United, Stranraer v Stenhousemuir, Arbroath v East Fife, Berwick v Stirling, Celta Vigo v Valencia.

Best draws: Norwich v Swansea, West Ham v Everton, Hull v Middlesbrough, Stranraer v Stenhousemuir, Berwick v Stirling.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, Southampton, Ipswich, Hibernian, Forest Green, Cheltenham.

Best weekend home bets: Liverpool, Manchester United, Brighton, Fulham, Mansfield, Dundee, Hearts, Albion, Dunfermline, Clyde.


Pick of the draws: Norwich are sliding towards the Premier League relegation zone but they came agonisingly close to a point at Manchester City last Saturday. They should be encouraged by that and I can see them holding Swansea, who are also on a downward spiral. Despite their sixth placing, West Ham's home form is only average while Everton, their visitors on Saturday, have lost only once away. This looks one of the best scoring draws on the 49-game coupon. Hull are the new Championship leaders, conceding just eight goals so far this season and with two consecutive away victories behind them. They host fellow promotion contenders Middlesbrough, whose defensive record is almost as good (nine conceded). A draw is the likeliest outcome here and don't be surprised if it is goalless. Stranraer, fighting relegation from Scottish League One, won't be overly optimistic about their match against Stenhousemuir, who last Saturday fought back from three goals down against Peterhead to win 4-3. Berwick are having only a moderate season in Scottish League Two, so Stirling will be hopeful of at least a point from this fixture.

Away days: Manchester City, at Aston Villa on Sunday, looks an away banker to end all away bankers. Premier League leaders City are justifiably title favourites and also had a good result in Europe in midweek. In stark contrast, Villa are bottom and without a home win this season. What a daunting introduction to English football for their new manager Remi Garde. Southampton are hitting their stride after early-season difficulties and are recommended at lowly Sunderland, who lapsed into their bad old ways when losing 6-2 at Everton last Sunday. Ipswich ended their slump in form in midweek and must be fancied to prevail at Rotherham, who are bottom of the Championship. Hibernian, second in the Scottish Championship, inflicted Rangers' first league defeat of the season last weekend and appear too strong for St Mirren. I'm taking non-League sides Forest Green and Cheltenham to provide two of the upsets in the FA Cup first round. Forest Green, the National League leaders, have a fighting chance at AFC Wimbledon and second-placed Cheltenham won't fear a trip to off-form Hartlepool.

Homes sweet homes: Mid-table Fulham have shown much more enterprise in the Championship recently, including four goals against Reading and Bristol City respectively. I believe they will beat the better placed Birmingham, who are experiencing a rough patch. Mansfield are exceeding expectations in League Two and deserve to be among the promotion contenders. They host Oldham, struggling in League One, in the FA Cup first round and have a good chance of knocking them out. A midweek Scottish Cup second-round exit at the hands of non-League Lothian Thistle won't have done much for the confidence of Montrose, so my money's on Clyde in Saturday's League two fixture.

Pools info: Las Palmas v Real Sociedad (No 47 on coupon) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.