Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Nov 11-12

Ten draws: Blackpool v Portsmouth, Rochdale v Wigan, Cambridge v Accrington, Crawley v Forest Green, Ebbsfleet v Leyton Orient, Halifax v Woking, Alfreton v York, Boston v Stockport, Airdrieonians v Stranraer, Peterhead v Stenhousemuir.

Best draws: Blackpool v Portsmouth, Rochdale v Wigan, Crawley v Forest Green, Ebbsfleet v Leyton Orient, Peterhead v Stenhousemuir.

Best weekend away bets: Luton, Wycombe, Notts County, Sutton, Alloa, Stirling.

Best weekend home bets: Doncaster, Scunthorpe, Coventry, Crewe, Exeter, Swindon, Dover, Tranmere, Berwick, Montrose.


Pick of the draws: Blackpool play Portsmouth, two off-form League One teams trying to recover from being knocked out of the FA Cup by lower division sides. Neither inspire much confidence at the moment and I predict deadlock here. Wigan are strong favourites for promotion to the Championship but Rochdale, on their day, are well capable of checking their charge. Crawley's home record in League Two (six defeats from eight games) is deplorable but they should get something from the visit of Forest Green, who are just below them in the table. Although Leyton Orient can't buy a win in the National League, they travel to Ebbsfleet with some optimism. Ebbsfleet's morale may have been damaged by that 6-2 home loss against Doncaster in the FA Cup first round last weekend. Stenhousemuir have lost only once on their travels in Scottish League Two, which should put them in good heart for their journey to Peterhead, who are one place above them.

Away days: Luton put their League Two blip against Coventry behind them by beating League One Portsmouth in the FA Cup. The Hatters go to Cheltenham, who were on the wrong end of an FA Cup upset against National League side Maidstone last Saturday and may take time to recover. Wycombe, lying seventh and with four League Two victories on the road this season, will fancy their chances at second-from-bottom Morecambe while leaders Notts County are recommended at Stevenage, who are on a downward spiral. National League promotion contenders Sutton will be banking on three points at bottom club Solihull and Alloa, in Scottish League One, will hope to take advantage of Albion's terrible home form. Stirling's flawless away record in Scottish League Two (five wins out of five) looks set to continue at struggling Clyde.

Homes sweet homes: Darren Ferguson's Doncaster are better than their position in League One suggests and scoring six away from home in the FA Cup last weekend won't do them any harm. They are worth a punt against higher-placed Rotherham, who are bad travellers. Crewe have recently defeated League Two leaders Notts County and League One Rotherham at Gresty Road, so a visit from promoted Lincoln ought to hold no fears, although Lincoln are enjoying a better season. Tranmere, mid-table in the National League, took League One Peterborough to an FA Cup replay last weekend. I believe they'll build on that with victory over Dagenham & Redbridge, despite the visitors occupying one of the play-off positions.



Pools info: Newport v Port Vale (match No 21 on coupon) is being played on Friday and is therefore void. Blackburn v Walsall (2), Shrewsbury v Charlton (10) and Southend v Oldham (11) have been postponed and will be judged by the pools panel.