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.