Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 29-30

Ten draws: Middlesbrough v Bournemouth, Barnsley v Bristol City, Birmingham v Aston Villa, Ipswich v Rotherham, Wimbledon v Bradford City, Cheltenham v Blackpool, Morecambe v Exeter, Yeovil v Grimsby, Boreham Wood v Woking, Braintree v Solihull.

Best draws: Barnsley v Bristol City, Birmingham v Aston Villa, Ipswich v Rotherham, Cheltenham v Blackpool, Boreham Wood v Woking.

Best weekend away bets: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Sutton.

Best weekend home bets: Watford, Cardiff, Reading, Charlton, Scunthorpe, Sheffield United, Southend, Doncaster, Notts County, Chester.


Pick of the draws: Barnsley halted their run of poor form in the Championship by winning 2-0 at Brentford but they will be pressed to repeat that success against Bristol City, who have moved into the play-off positions and are responding well to Lee Johnson's management. Two consecutive victories have put Aston Villa in the mood for a derby with their fierce rivals Birmingham on Sunday. However, Birmingham won't be prepared to give an inch, especially as Villa boss Steve Bruce is an ex-Brum manager. I'm taking bottom-of-the table Rotherham to gain their first away point of the campaign at Ipswich, whose lack of goals must be driving their supporters to distraction. They've managed only 10 from 14 games. Cheltenham eased League Two relegation fears with a fine 1-0 victory at Grimsby last Saturday but their visitors, Blackpool, did equally well by defeating high-riding Doncaster 4-2 at home. A draw seems the likeliest outcome. Although Boreham Wood are doing better than expected in the National League, I believe relegation-troubled Woking will take a point off them.

Away days: Liverpool are flying and will be confident of adding Crystal Palace to their list of Premier League victims. Palace's early-season progress has stalled in the past two matches which have been lost against West Ham and Leicester respectively. Arsenal's goalless home draw against lowly Middlesbrough last weekend was a missed opportunity but they will be firm favourites to recover at Sunderland, who are in danger of losing touch with the rest of the Premier League. Leaders Manchester City are stumbling after a wonderful start to the season but there is no doubting their ability. I think they will make that count at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Newcastle look certain to make an instant return to the Premier League and should be three points nearer their objective after their visit to Preston, who crashed 6-0 in their midweek League Cup tie at St James' Park. League Two Portsmouth are struggling for consistency but they travel to Cambridge, where they have been successful in the past two seasons with scores of 6-2 and 3-1. In the National League, mid-table Sutton are worth a wager at York, for whom nothing is going right.

Homes sweet homes: Manager Neil Warnock has already made an enormous difference at Cardiff, who have moved out of the Championship relegation zone by taking seven points from three fixtures. They should be even higher in the table on Saturday evening after defeating Wigan, who are without a manager after the sacking of Gary Caldwell. Notts County are in the League Two play-off places, thanks to their terrific away form. Although their home record leaves much to be desired, I believe they will put that right against fellow promotion-seekers Luton. Chester's improvement in the National League was confirmed by a goalless draw at Macclesfield in midweek and they can upset Lincoln City, who are better placed.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 22-23

Ten draws: Chelsea v Manchester United, Leicester v Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest v Cardiff, Peterborough v Wimbledon, Swindon v Walsall, Colchester v Morecambe, Crawley v Accrington, Newport v Plymouth, Dagenham & Redbridge v Macclesfield, Maidstone v Gateshead.

Best draws: Leicester v Crystal Palace, Swindon v Walsall, Crawley v Accrington, Dagenham & Redbridge v Macclesfield, Maidstone v Gateshead.

Best weekend away bets: Everton, Stoke, Brighton, Bolton (being played on Monday), Charlton, Hibernian.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Liverpool, Swansea, West Ham, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Norwich, Blackpool, Crewe, Hartlepool.


Pick of the draws: After eight matches Leicester, the champions, are only two points away from the relegation zone. Unlike last season they don't seem motivated for Premier League games and a draw is well within the capabilities of visitors Crystal Palace. Swindon gained a much-needed League One win in midweek, defeating in-form Rochdale 3-0 at home. However, Saturday's opponents, Walsall, have already drawn four away games and I can see them making it five. Two late goals against Blackpool enabled Accrington to climb into the League Two play-off positions last weekend. They play enterprising, attractive football and won't fear a trip to Crawley, although the Sussex side are also doing well. Dagenham & Redbridge are on course for an instant return to the Football League but they may have their work cut out against fifth-placed Macclesfield, who boast one of the best away records in the National League. Although Maidstone have reached the first round of the FA Cup, they are not finding life easy at home. They may, however, get something from their encounter with Gateshead, who tend to be erratic and went out of the FA Cup in midweek.

Away days: Everton's point in a 1-1 draw at leaders Manchester City last Saturday was a very creditable one and they will probably do better at Burnley, who are only averaging a goal a game in the Premier League and are close to the relegation zone. There are signs that Stoke are on the upgrade after a terrible start to the season and are well worth a wager at Hull, who appear to be going in the opposite direction, especially in view of their 6-1 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend. Brighton, strong promotion contenders in the Championship, will be confident of three points at Wigan, who are short of goals and belief. Bolton are back in business thanks to three consecutive victories in League One. I think they will make that four at Bury, who are badly out of sorts. Charlton could do with some success on the road and I believe it will come at Gillingham, who are nowhere near the team they were for much of last season. A goalless draw at Raith put Hibernian top of the Scottish Championship last weekend. I believe they will stay there after winning at struggling Dunfermline.

Homes sweet homes: Swansea, in their first game under new manager Bob Bradley, showed a lot of spirit in their 3-2 defeat at Arsenal last weekend, which should serve them well when they host Watford. The Swans have not won a Premier League home match this season but I expect that to change on Saturday. Championship strugglers Aston Villa will surely start to turn things around now that Steve Bruce is in charge. Their 2-1 triumph at Reading in midweek will have done wonders for morale and a second home victory of the season beckons when inconsistent Fulham visit on Saturday. Blackpool are in the bottom half of League Two, having dropped some silly points. They are capable of much better and worth a punt against promotion contenders Doncaster, who have lost as many away matches as they have won.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 15-16

Ten draws: Bournemouth v Hull, Middlesbrough v Watford, Wigan v Burton, Charlton v Coventry, Rochdale v Bury, Barnet v Exeter, Cheltenham v Crawley, Plymouth v Portsmouth, Yeovil v Newport, Partick v Hamilton.

Best draws: Wigan v Burton, Rochdale v Bury, Barnet v Exeter, Plymouth v Portsmouth, Yeovil v Newport.

Best weekend away bets: West Ham, Tottenham, Reading, Bradford City, Luton, Dundee United.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Southampton, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Norwich, Wimbledon, Walsall, Cambridge, Carlisle, Doncaster.


Pick of the draws: Promoted Burton are adjusting well to the demands of the Championship. The same cannot be said of their hosts on Saturday, Wigan, despite a recent 2-1 win over Wolves, and this looks one of the best draws on the coupon. Third-placed Bury have had a couple of setbacks in League One but are talented enough to get something at Rochdale, who have zoomed up the table after five consecutive victories. Barnet have not made the most of home advantage in League Two this season, having won only once. Exeter, their opponents on Saturday, are second from bottom but have done well away and can nick a point. Plymouth have opened a five-point gap at the top of the table but I believe their progress will be halted by fellow promotion challengers Portsmouth. Pompey will also be looking to avenge their narrow defeat in the League Two play-off semi-final last season. Bottom club Newport have a new manager in Graham Westley, formerly at Peterborough and Stevenage. Westley's sides are disciplined and well organised, so I won't be surprised if they hold  Yeovil to a draw.

Away days: West Ham's decline has been one of the surprises of the season so far but although they are in the Premier League relegation zone, I'm backing them to turn things around at Crystal Palace. Perhaps the knowledge that they won 3-1 at Selhurst Park last season will inspire the Hammers to a much-needed victory. Tottenham announced themselves as serious title contenders when they beat leaders Manchester City 2-0 at home. They are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League, having conceded just three goals in seven matches, and should have too much for West Bromwich Albion.  Reading are likely to be in the Championship promotion shake-up and are well equipped to win at Queens Park Rangers. Bradford City are undefeated after 12 games in League One and challenging Scunthorpe for the leadership. I cannot see them being blown off course by Oxford, who slumped 3-1 at home to Wimbledon last Sunday. In League Two, promotion-seeking Luton are favourites to prevail at ailing Leyton Orient. Although Dundee United have still to find their feet in the Scottish Championship, they will be confident of taking three points off lowly St Mirren.

Homes sweet homes: It's high time relegated Aston Villa stopped feeling sorry for themselves and played to their potential in the Championship. I've a hunch they will come good on Saturday against mid-table Wolves, especially as the experienced Steve Bruce has been appointed Villa manager. Blackburn, third from bottom, are in an even worse state than Villa but don't rule out their chances against goal-shy Ipswich, who have only managed eight in 11 matches. Cambridge have hauled themselves away from the League Two relegation zone and I think they will continue to climb the table. They are well worth a punt against promoted Grimsby on Saturday.


Pools info: Liverpool v Manchester United (No 4 on coupon) has been moved to Monday and will be judged by the pools panel. Inverness v Rangers (47) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 8-9

Ten draws: Oxford United v Wimbledon, Morecambe v Carlisle, Yeovil v Wycombe, Braintree v York, Eastleigh v Dagenham & Redbridge, Gateshead v Dover, Sutton v Woking, Gloucester v Halifax, Stalybridge v Altrincham, Oxford City v East Thurrock.

Best draws: Morecambe v Carlisle, Yeovil v Wycombe, Braintree v York, Gateshead v Dover, Stalybridge v Altrincham.

Best weekend away bets: Bolton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Notts County, Lincoln, Forest Green.

Best weekend home bets: Bradford City, MK Dons, Rochdale, Accrington, Colchester, Doncaster, Exeter, Hartlepool, Barrow, Chester.


Pick of the draws: Carlisle are one of only three unbeaten teams in the top four divisions and I predict  that run will be extended after Saturday's tricky assignment at Morecambe. Carlisle's 2-0 win over Colchester last Saturday enabled them to move into the automatic promotion positions in League Two  and they won't relinquish it without a fight. Wycombe have hauled themselves away from the relegation zone with some good results and must rate their chances of sharing the spoils at Yeovil, who need every point they can get. Braintree v York in the Vanarama National League features two sides woefully out of form. Relegation-fearing Braintree have lost twice at home in four days while York have gained only one point on their travels and were heavily beaten by bottom club Guiseley in midweek. A draw seems the best bet here. Dover continue to punch above their weight in this division and can frustrate Gateshead. I'm tipping lowly Stalybridge and Altrincham to cancel each other out in the Vanarama League North.

Away days: Bolton's alarming slide down League One has surprised everybody but I believe they will stop the rot at Swindon, who are no great shakes themselves. Portsmouth's League Two results are difficult to predict but they will be disappointed not to come away from Leyton Orient with three points. Orient are in the doldrums, having sacked their manager Andy Hessenthaler last week, and have already lost four home games. Plymouth have opened a five-point gap at the top and will be confident of success at Stevenage, who are hovering above the relegation zone. Notts County's best results have come on the road and they are worth a punt at Mansfield, who are finding goals hard to come by. Lincoln, in second place in the National League, ought to be too strong for Bromley while new leaders Forest Green, fresh from their midweek 4-0 triumph at Aldershot, look a banker at North Ferriby.

Homes sweet homes: I'm going out on a limb this week and recommending three teams who don't have a home win between them this season. League One MK Dons host Port Vale on Sunday and if they play half was well as they do away, they will break their duck. Exeter, who are second from bottom in League Two, have lost all five at home, despite recording three away wins. I've a hunch they will give their supporters something to cheer on Saturday when they entertain promoted Grimsby. Finally, Hartlepool have in flashes shown what they are capable of. Their 3-0 victory at Grimsby last weekend was a good example and I'm taking them to halt Crawley's progress.

Pools info: Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood (No 2 on coupon), Coventry v Chesterfield (3) and Sheffield United v Walsall (9) have been postponed and will be judged by the pools panel.