Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 9-10

Ten draws: Brighton v West Bromwich Albion, Leicester v Chelsea, Norwich v Birmingham, Queens Park Rangers v Ipswich, Sunderland v Sheffield United, Peterborough v Bradford City, Plymouth v MK Dons, Colchester v Crawley, Newport v Wycombe, St Johnstone v Hibernian.

Best draws: Leicester v Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers v Ipswich, Sunderland v Sheffield United, Plymouth v MK Dons, Colchester v Crawley.

Best weekend away bets: Liverpool, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Exeter, Aberdeen.

Best weekend home bets: Burnley, Swansea, Fulham, Wolves, Wimbledon, Charlton, Northampton, Coventry, Crewe, Rangers.


Pick of the draws: Although there are signs that Chelsea have their mojo back, I like the look of this Leicester side under Craig Shakespeare's managership and won't be surprised if they share the spoils. Ipswich, who are second in the Championship, suffered their first league defeat of the season when losing 2-0 at home to Fulham but I believe they will recover at Queens Park Rangers, who seem set for a mid-table berth. Relegated Sunderland are finding life almost as difficult in the Championship and there is no guarantee they will beat Sheffield United, who have made such an encouraging start in a higher division. Two consecutive defeats have seen Plymouth slide down League One and I fancy MK Dons, who fought back well to draw 1-1 at home to Oxford last Saturday, to get something at Home Park. Rookie manager Harry Kewell looks to have turned things round at Crawley, who have won their past two games in League Two. I'm taking them to continue their revival by drawing at Colchester.

Away days: Since stumbling at Watford on the opening weekend of the season free-scoring Liverpool have looked the real deal and they can enhance their Premier League title credentials by coming away from Manchester City with maximum points on Saturday. Manchester United lead the Premier League on merit and will expect another three points at Stoke. It will be a brave man who bets against them. Middlesbrough, under Garry Monk, have yet to hit their stride in the Championship but that will probably change when they go to bottom club Bolton. Blackburn's confidence is returning after a rocky start and they are recommended at Rochdale, who have slipped into the League One relegation zone. League Two leaders Exeter look a sound bet at struggling Forest Green while Scottish Premiership leaders Aberdeen should prevail at Hearts.

Homes sweet homes: Swansea, 2-0 winners at Crystal Palace two weeks ago, are in a healthier frame of mind than their Premier League opponents Newcastle, where manager Rafa Benitez was frustrated by their lack of progress in the last transfer window. Fulham are better than their position in the Championship indicates. They were convincing 2-0 winners at Ipswich two weeks ago and I've a hunch they will also beat Cardiff, despite the Welsh side having gained maximum points from their first five matches. Northampton, pointless and bottom of League One after four games, sacked manager Justin Edinburgh last week. His replacement, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, will be keen to make an instant impact and I think he will do just that when promoted Doncaster visit Sixfields on Saturday.