Pools tips and best bets for weekend of December 3-4

Ten draws: Bournemouth v Liverpool, Sunderland v Leicester, Bristol City v Ipswich, Wigan v Derby, Bolton v Sheffield United, Carlisle v Rochdale, Charlton v MK Dons, Hamilton v Partick, Kilmarnock v Dundee, Barcelona v Real Madrid.

Best draws: Bournemouth v Liverpool, Bristol City v Ipswich, Charlton v MK Dons, Kilmarnock v Dundee, Barcelona v Real Madrid.

Best weekend away bets: Arsenal, Brighton, Wimbledon, Peterborough, Chester, Hearts.

Best weekend home bets: Stoke, Tottenham, Birmingham, Blackburn, Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth, Sutton, Woking, Rangers.


Pick of the draws: Despite losing 3-1 at Arsenal last Sunday, Bournemouth made the Gunners work hard for maximum points and Eddie Howe's enterprising team are capable of checking Liverpool's progress in the Premier League. In the Championship, Bristol City have hit a rough patch which has seen them tumble to mid-table. The side just below them, Ipswich, had a convincing 3-0 home victory over Queens Park Rangers last weekend and will want to keep the momentum going. Charlton v MK Dons is one of the most fascinating ties of the FA Cup second round. Karl Robinson, Charlton's new manager, will be facing the League One club that sacked him a few weeks ago. Despite their problems off the field, Charlton are in an encouraging run of form but Robinson will know that MK Dons have been more effective away this season. There is almost nothing to choose between the teams in the bottom half of the Scottish Premiership with only two points covering six sides. So Dundee, sixth from last, look a fair bet to draw at Kilmarnock, second from last. Although Real Madrid are pulling away from Barcelona at the top of the Spanish League, I'm taking Barca to restore a bit of pride by taking a point. Gareth Bale's absence through injury should help them.

Away days: Arsenal, who are unbeaten on their travels this season, are strongly fancied to extend that record at West Ham, who find themselves in a battle to stay in the Premier League. Brighton have closed the gap on Newcastle at the top of the Championship to just two points and I believe they will maintain the pressure by winning at relegation-threatened Cardiff. Wimbledon are worthy League One play-off contenders and it is hard to see them failing at non-League Curzon Ashton in Sunday's FA Cup second-round tie. Peterborough, another good Cup team, are also a confident selection at Notts County, who are rapidly slipping down League Two. Chester have enjoyed two consecutive 3-0 successes in the National League and will be eager for a hat-trick of victories at lowly Guiseley. Hearts climbed to second in the Scottish Premiership after a 2-0 midweek home triumph over Rangers and are recommended at Ross.

Homes sweet homes: Blackburn, struggling in the Championship, caused one of the upsets of the season by winning 1-0 at Newcastle last Saturday. I think they will win again this Saturday when they host Huddersfield, who are losing touch with the division's front-runners. Sutton United crashed 6-0 at home to Dover in a National League midweek fixture but they played most of the match with 10 men. Don't rule them out of Saturday's FA Cup second-round home tie against Cheltenham, who have dropped into the League Two relegation zone. Accrington are another club in League Two who are vulnerable, so don't be surprised if they exit the Cup to National League side Woking on Sunday.

Pools info: Lincoln City v Oldham (No 28 on coupon) is being played on Monday and will be judged by the pools panel. Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend - the games at Accrington, Exeter and Macclesfield, the last of which was a panel judgment.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Nov 26-27

Ten draws: Southampton v Everton, Watford v Stoke, Derby v Norwich, Ipswich v Queens Park Rangers, Gillingham v Rochdale, Northampton v Bolton, Walsall v Southend, Accrington v Yeovil, Exeter v Luton, Macclesfield v Dover.

Best draws: Derby v Norwich, Ipswich v Queens Park Rangers, Accrington v Yeovil, Exeter v Luton, Macclesfield v Dover.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, West Bromwich, Peterborough, Grimsby, Boreham Wood, Rangers.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Leicester, Swansea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Wolves, Scunthorpe, Blackpool, Doncaster, Dundee.


Pick of the draws: Although Norwich have lost their last four Championship matches, they showed a lot of spirit when reduced to 10 men after only two minutes at Queens Park Rangers last Saturday and could even have nicked a draw. That should encourage them when they visit Derby, who have greatly improved under Steve McClaren. Ipswich supporters are becoming restless at their side's lack of progress and they can't be confident of success against QPR, who have been lifted by the return of manager Ian Holloway. Yeovil's recent results in League Two are as good as anybody's and they look good for at least a point at Accrington, who are not enjoying the best of seasons. Exeter's home record is unbelievably bad - no wins and seven defeats - but they are a match for the best on their day and I'm taking them to deny Luton victory. Dover, sixth in the National League, have recovered well from their FA Cup first-round exit to Cambridge United and the long journey to Macclesfield will hold no fears.

Away days: Manchester City, with five Premier League away wins under their belt, will be disappointed not to make it six when they go to Burnley on Saturday, especially now that Yaya Toure has made a triumphant comeback to the team. A resounding 4-0 victory over Burnley on Monday moved West Bromwich Albion into the top half of the table and they are a good bet to continue in a winning vein at Hull, who are struggling to escape from the relegation zone. League One promotion contenders Peterborough should be backed at lowly Oldham and the same applies to League Two improvers Grimsby, who go to ailing Crawley. Boreham Wood are one of the success stories of the National League this season and will probably increase the pressure on bottom club Guiseley. Rangers, striving for second place in the Scottish Premiership, are recommended at Partick.

Homes sweet homes: Swansea slipped to the bottom of the Premier League last Saturday and have yet to win at home this season. They will never have a better chance than against Crystal Palace, who have lost their past five league matches after a good start to the campaign and are now only one point away from the relegation zone. Wolves, who have not won a Championship fixture since September, will be anxious to put that right for new manager Paul Lambert. They host Sheffield Wednesday, who have failed to impress on their travels. Dundee may be bottom of the Scottish Premiership but there are only two points separating them from seventh-placed Inverness, whom they play at the weekend. Have a punt on the hosts.

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

Ten draws: Sunderland v Hull, Watford v Leicester, Cardiff v Huddersfield, Leeds v Newcastle, Preston v Wolves, Bolton v Millwall, Northampton v Peterborough, Walsall v Gillingham, Cheltenham v Portsmouth, Notts County v Newport.

Best draws: Sunderland v Hull, Watford v Leicester, Preston v Wolves, Northampton v Peterborough, Cheltenham v Portsmouth.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, Chelsea, Port Vale, Coventry, Luton, Tranmere.

Best weekend home bets: Everton, Tottenham, Ipswich, Queens Park Rangers, Wimbledon, Fleetwood, Sheffield United, Leyton Orient, Yeovil, St Mirren.

Pick of the draws: Sunderland's 2-1 away win at Bournemouth was a huge relief for the team and their under-pressure manager David Moyes. They can move off the bottom of the Premier League with a point against fellow strugglers Hull, who also gained a welcome victory at home to Southampton. Leicester's bottom-half placing is mainly down to their feeble away record, where they have taken only one point. That could change after Saturday's visit to Watford, who are flattered by their eighth position in the Premier League. I believe Wolves have appointed a good manager in Paul Lambert and that they'll make a point in more ways than one in their Championship fixture at Preston on Saturday. Northampton, who dropped out of the League One play-off places after Gillingham's late winner last weekend, are up against a revitalised Peterborough, who damaged Bolton's chances of promotion by beating them 1-0 at home. Cheltenham's resounding
4-1 triumph at Crewe in a midweek FA Cup first-round replay will put them in the mood for a League Two home encounter with promotion favourites Portsmouth, who tend to blow hot and cold.

Away days: Manchester City must be backed at Crystal Palace, who have already lost three Premier League matches at Selhurst Park and are on a downward spiral. Since losing 3-0 at Arsenal, Chelsea have won five league games in a row without conceding and are clearly capable of extending that run against Middlesbrough, who are averaging less than a goal a match. I think promotion-seeking Port Vale will add to Charlton's problems in League One by winning at The Valley. Charlton are again without a manager, having dismissed the latest incumbent Russell Slade after losing 3-0 at Swindon last Saturday and their fans are furious at the way the club is being run. Despite last Saturday's narrow home defeat by leaders Scunthorpe, Coventry's fortunes are looking up and they are worth a punt at troubled Oxford. Luton, fifth in League Two, are a more confident selection at Morecambe, who have one of the worst home records in the Football League. Tranmere surprisingly dropped two home points to Chester in the National League last Saturday and they'll be determined to make amends at Braintree, who are floundering.

Homes sweet homes: The Ian Holloway effect may be decisive when Queens Park Rangers host Norwich in the Championship on Saturday. The zany Holloway is back as QPR manager and I've a hunch their fortunes will take an immediate turn for the better, especially as Norwich, their visitors, are wobbling at the moment. Leyton Orient's alarming slide down League Two was arrested by a fine 3-0 success at Colchester last weekend. They will be anxious to improve their terrible home form and they have a fighting chance against Blackpool, who are not too clever away. St Mirren, bottom of the Scottish Championship and without a home win in the league, could do with a break and may get one against second bottom Dunfermline, who have yet to prevail on their travels.

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

Ten draws: Coventry v Scunthorpe, Peterborough v Bolton, Port Vale v Fleetwood, Stevenage v Yeovil, Bromley v Boreham Wood, Guiseley v Torquay, Southport v Maidstone, Sutton v Barrow, Wrexham v Braintree, Albion v Stranraer.

Best draws: Coventry v Scunthorpe, Peterborough v Bolton, Stevenage v Yeovil, Guiseley v Torquay, Wrexham v Braintree.

Best weekend away bets: Northampton, Wimbledon, Charlton, Carlisle, Dover, Brechin.

Best weekend home bets: England (Friday), Bury, MK Dons, Crawley, Grimsby, Portsmouth, Wycombe, Eastleigh, Macclesfield, Tranmere.


Pick of the draws: As predicted in this blog, Scunthorpe went out of the FA Cup to Charlton last weekend but they are League One leaders on merit and I reckon they'll resume normal service with a point at Coventry, who are gradually climbing the table after a terrible start to the season. Bolton, in second place, are also formidable opponents but they have a tricky assignment at Peterborough, who are striving to move into the play-off positions. League Two Stevenage have yet to draw at home this season but that may change on Saturday when they host Yeovil. From looking likely relegation candidates earlier in the season, Yeovil are now safely ensconced in mid-table. Torquay continue to struggle in the National League, which makes me believe bottom club Guiseley have a fighting chance of sharing the spoils. Wrexham have been a major disappointment so far and Braintree, their lowly opponents on Saturday, will be inspired by their 7-0 rout of Eastbourne in the FA Cup first round.

Away days: Northampton, aiming for their second consecutive promotion, are a confident selection at Gillingham, whose unexpected slide puts them close to the League One relegation zone. Wimbledon's away record is very impressive and they can improve on it at Oldham, who regularly fail to make the most of home advantage. Charlton seem on the upgrade. If they can knock Scunthorpe out of the FA Cup, then they must rate their chances of beating Swindon, who have dropped into the relegation zone. Carlisle remain the only unbeaten side in the Football League. The League Two outfit will want to close the gap on leaders Plymouth and an away fixture at bottom club Newport gives them a great opportunity. Dover keep punching above their weight in the National League and are worth a punt at mid-table Solihull. Brechin, five away victories in Scottish League One already, can make it six by beating Airdrieonians.

Homes sweet homes: Although Bury have lost their past three home games and are in free-fall, I think they will stop the rot against Southend. Manager-less MK Dons, without a home win in League One this campaign, will be anxious to rectify that against Walsall, who were the victims of an FA Cup upset against National League team Macclesfield last Saturday. By all accounts, Wycombe's FA Cup victory at Portsmouth was well deserved, so a visit from Morecambe should hold no fears, especially as the Lancashire side from League Two concede goals at an alarming rate. If anybody can halt Forest Green's relentless progress at the top of the National League it's Macclesfield, who are seeking promotion themselves and are buoyant after knocking League One Walsall out of the FA Cup.


Pools info: Dundee United v Dunfermline (No 36 on coupon) is void. Queen of the South v St Mirren (38), Raith v Ayr (39) and East Fife v Alloa (42) are being judged by the pools panel.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of November 5-6

Ten draws: Hull v Southampton, Burton v Barnsley, Norwich v Leeds, Nottingham Forest v Queens Park Rangers, Wolves v Derby, Bury v Wimbledon, Colchester v Chesterfield, Mansfield v Plymouth, Shrewsbury v Barnet, Stockport v Woking.

Best draws: Hull v Southampton, Nottingham Forest v Queens Park Rangers, Wolves v Derby, Bury v Wimbledon, Colchester v Chesterfield.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Stoke, Reading, Bristol Rovers, Coventry, Doncaster.

Best weekend home bets: Bournemouth, Leicester, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Bolton, Boreham Wood, Charlton, Exeter, Blackpool, Hartlepool.


Pick of the draws: Struggling Hull showed signs of improvement last Saturday when they were unlucky to lose at Watford. They can get something from their game against Southampton, whose Premier League progress was halted when they lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea. Nottingham Forest are only one point off the Championship relegation zone and don't inspire confidence. Fortunately for them, neither do their visitors Queens Park Rangers and deadlock seems the likeliest result. Derby had a morale-boosting 2-0 home success over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend and won't make life easy for manager-less Wolves, who have only four league wins to their credit. Although Bury are rapidly sliding down League One, they may find some relief in the FA Cup first round when they host Wimbledon, who are only three points better off. League Two Colchester are another side out of sorts and they will be glad they are facing another ailing team - Chesterfield, second from bottom of League One.

Away days: Manchester United dropped a couple of points at home to Burnley in a goalless draw last Saturday but on another day they would have won by four or five. They are capable of going on a long unbeaten run and should be too strong for Swansea, who are five points off Premier League safety. Stoke are looking better by the week and I believe they will gain maximum points against West Ham, who are having big problems adjusting to their new surroundings at the Olympic Stadium. Championship play-off contenders Reading are responding well to manager Jaap Stam's methods and will be confident of victory at lowly Wigan. Bristol Rovers, making light of life in a higher division (League One), are expected to prevail at League Two Crawley in the FA Cup. Coventry are in a much happier frame of mind these days and will be seeking to eliminate Morecambe at the first time of asking. League Two promotion hopefuls Doncaster are clearly capable of knocking out Oldham, third from bottom in League One.

Homes sweet homes: Boreham Wood continue to confound expectations in the National League and are worth a wager against League Two promotion contenders Notts County in the first round of the FA Cup. I sense another upset when mid-table Charlton, who are improving under manager Russell Slade, host the League One leaders Scunthorpe. Exeter's record in League Two this season is extraordinary. They are without a home win yet have prevailed five times away. I've a hunch they will buck the trend on Saturday when they host high-riding Luton.

Pools info: Eastleigh v Swindon (No 33 on coupon) and Millwall v Southend (38) are being played on Friday and are therefore void. Southport v Fleetwood (45) has been moved to Monday and will be judged by the pools panel.

Four of my five best draw selections were correct last weekend - Barnsley v Bristol City, Birmingham v Aston Villa, Ipswich v Rotherham and Cheltenham v Blackpool.

Betting info: Five of my six aways last weekend were correct. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle and Portsmouth obliged.