Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Nov 14-15

Ten draws: Blackpool v Doncaster, Gillingham v Bury, Rochdale v Wigan, Exeter v Crawley, Luton v Barnet, Barrow v Torquay, Forest Green v Dover, Woking v Macclesfield, Morton v Queen of the South, Airdrieonians v Dunfermline.

Best draws: Blackpool v Doncaster, Gillingham v Bury, Exeter v Crawley, Luton v Barnet, Woking v Macclesfield.

Best weekend away bets: Scunthorpe, Leyton Orient, Stevenage, Eastleigh, Tranmere, Cheltenham.

Best weekend home bets: Barnsley, Chesterfield, Peterborough, Accrington, Oxford, Boreham Wood, Bromley, Grimsby, Falkirk, Ayr.


Pick of the draws: League One strugglers Blackpool will be disheartened by their FA Cup first-round exit at Barnet last Saturday and it is doubtful whether they will gain more than a point from the visit of Darren Ferguson's Doncaster. Bury's away record, as well as their form, is impressive and I believe they will hold Gillingham, who suffered a surprising away defeat by League Two Stevenage in the FA Cup last weekend. Crawley have pulled clear of the League Two relegation zone on the back of some good away results. They can add to that at Exeter, who are up and down like a yo-yo. Barnet are one of the in-form sides in the division and will not fear a trip to Luton, who have regularly flopped at home. Woking's promotion challenge in the National League is fast fading, whereas Macclesfield, their visitors, appear to be on the upgrade.

Away days: Scunthorpe are probably the most improved team in League One and are favourites to inflict another defeat on lowly Swindon. Leyton Orient scored six against non-League Staines in the FA Cup last weekend and will be confident of hitting the target again on Sunday at Hartlepool, who have struggled since the opening weeks of the season. Stevenage are yet to win away but they could put that right against second from bottom Yeovil. Eastleigh, gunning for promotion from the National League and conquerors of League One Crewe in the FA Cup last Saturday, will fancy their chances of another victory at mid-table Guiseley. Tranmere's away form is keeping them in the promotion hunt and they are worth backing at Lincoln. Free-scoring Cheltenham are the new National League leaders and will surely prevail at relegation-threatened Southport.

Homes sweet homes: League One toilers Barnsley ended a long losing run with a midweek victory in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. I've a hunch they will win again on Saturday at the expense of an inconsistent Port Vale. Oldham, 19th in League One, have remarkably not lost away this season but Chesterfield, their hosts on Saturday, are in the mood and form to spoil that record. Boreham Wood, who are just above the National League relegation zone, gained an unexpected midweek success at promotion-challenging Bromley, so don't be surprised if they collect another three points against Chester FC.


Pools info: Burton v Millwall (No 4 on coupon), Shrewsbury v Walsall (11), Morecambe v Dagenham & Redbridge (18), Wycombe v Notts County (23), Hibernian v Livingston (38), Raith v St Mirren (40), Rangers v Dumbarton (41) and Peterhead v Stranraer (45) will be adjudicated by the pools panel.