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

Ten draws: Huddersfield v Southampton, Millwall v Norwich, Nottingham Forest v Leeds, Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood, Rotherham v Charlton, Colchester v Forest Green, Mansfield v Luton, Port Vale v Crewe, Barrow v Maidenhead, Ebbsfleet v Gateshead.

Best draws: Huddersfield v Southampton, Nottingham Forest v Leeds, Rotherham v Charlton, Colchester v Forest Green, Mansfield v Luton.

Best weekend away bets: West Ham, Derby, Peterborough, Exeter, Wycombe, Coventry.

Best weekend home bets: Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Cardiff, Blackpool, Rochdale, Walsall, Newport, Swindon, Aldershot, Ayr.


Pick of the draws: Promoted Huddersfield, with maximum points from their opening two Premier League matches, just about got over the line at home to Newcastle last Sunday but I believe Southampton, who defeated West Ham 3-2 at St Mary's last Saturday, will provide a sterner test. Mark Warburton is doing a good job at Nottingham Forest but Leeds, who have won both their away games in the Championship, can take a point here. Rotherham's last home match in League One ended in a 5-0 victory over Southend. It will be a major surprise if they do half as well against Charlton, who have begun the season well, and the hosts may even have to settle for a point. Colchester, with no wins from three, are among the early toilers in League Two and will have to improve to get the better of promoted Forest Green, who have not been overawed so far. Mansfield had their first setback of the season when losing 2-1 at Accrington last Saturday and could be playing easier opponents than Luton, who will again be among the promotion contenders.

Away days: Ten-man West Ham deserved better than to lose to a disputed penalty at Southampton in the dying minutes and I think they will take it out on Newcastle, who are struggling to adapt to the Premier League. Neither has a point to show for their efforts so far but something's got to give on Saturday. Derby clicked into gear with a 2-1 win at Bolton in the Championship last Saturday and I'm taking them to repeat that success at promoted Sheffield United, who are due a home loss. Peterborough, second in League One with maximum points from three games, are fancied to continue the good work at lowly Northampton while in League Two, high-flying Exeter look a sound bet at troubled Cheltenham. Wycombe are recommended at Grimsby, who were feeble when losing 3-1 at Stevenage last weekend and keep having players sent off. Coventry unexpectedly lost at home to Newport last Saturday but I expect them to recover at Yeovil, who have already conceded 14 goals in three matches.

Homes sweet homes: Crystal Palace, although pointless from their opening two Premier League fixtures, made Liverpool work hard for their 1-0 victory at Anfield last Saturday and I believe they'll get off the mark against Swansea, who shipped four at home against Manchester United. Although Rochdale have made a disappointing start in League One, they should have enough in the tank to beat Bury. Walsall have a habit of upsetting more fashionable sides. They deserved their point in a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth last Saturday and have the ability to see off the higher-placed Bradford City.


Pools info: Macclesfield v Dover (match No 49 on coupon) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.

Betting info: I scored eight out of 10 with my home selections last weekend. Leicester, Liverpool, Charlton, Fleetwood, Carlisle, Forest Green, Aberdeen and Dunfermline all obliged.