Pools tips and best bets for weekend of November 4-5

Ten draws: Huddersfield v West Bromwich Albion, Southampton v Burnley, Swansea v Brighton, Ipswich v Preston, Ross v Motherwell, Livingston v Inverness, Morton v Queen of South, Arbroath v Ayr, Elgin v Peterhead, Celta Vigo v Athletic Bilbao.

Best draws: Southampton v Burnley, Swansea v Brighton, Ipswich v Preston, Ross v Motherwell, Elgin v Peterhead.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Liverpool, Queens Park Rangers, Aberdeen, Stirling, Scunthorpe.

Best weekend home bets: Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Derby, Middlesbrough, Hibernian, Rangers, Brechin, Dundee United, Plymouth.


Pick of the draws: In complete contrast to last season, Burnley have hardly put a foot wrong away from home. They've won at Premier League champions Chelsea and drawn at Tottenham, so they won't feel apprehensive about a trip to mid-table Southampton. Swansea's poor home form has put them dangerously near the relegation zone and I can't see them beating Brighton, who have adjusted well to life in a higher division. Ipswich and Preston had disappointing midweek results in the Championship and are losing touch with the division's front-runners. Ipswich have yet to draw this season but I think they'll end that sequence on Saturday. Motherwell's good run in the Scottish Premiership was ended by Hibernian last weekend. The Well travel to Ross on Saturday and the hosts showed grit when losing narrowly away to high-flying Aberdeen. Peterhead's fine away record has kept them in the chase for the Scottish League Two title and it should benefit them at Elgin.

Away days: All is not well at Chelsea. Indifferent results and stories of player unrest have done nothing to lift the pessimistic mood at Stamford Bridge and Manchester United, their visitors on Sunday, can cash in. United appear to be Manchester City's only challengers for the Premier League title and nobody is better than Mourinho at grinding out results. Liverpool's 3-0 home victory over Huddersfield last weekend came in the nick of time for under-fire manager Jurgen Klopp. By the end of the match his team were playing with a bit of swagger, which doesn't bode well for their lowly hosts West Ham. Queens Park Rangers have defeated Championship high-flyers Wolves and Sheffield United in the past week. I'm taking them to make it a hat-trick at Nottingham Forest and win away for the first time this season. Aberdeen, second in the Scottish Premiership, should have the measure of Hamilton and League Two leaders Stirling are a confident selection at Edinburgh City. League One Scunthorpe are showing signs of getting back in the groove and I'm backing them to win at struggling Northampton in the FA Cup first round.

Homes sweet homes: Managerless Everton, in the Premier League drop zone, deserved better than to lose their League Cup tie at Chelsea last week and I've a feeling they'll raise their game against Watford at Goodison Park on Sunday. Watford seem to have lost their way since making disparaging comments about Arsenal and look there for the taking. Brechin, bottom of the Scottish Championship and without a win from 11 matches, gave Livingston a good game last Saturday and have a fine opportunity to get off the mark against Dumbarton, who are mediocre. Dundee United moved back into promotion contention with a 2-0 away success at Dumbarton last Saturday and they are worth a punt against leaders St Mirren.


Pools info: Wolves v Fulham (No 21 on coupon) and Real Betis v Getafe (47) are being played on Friday and are therefore void.