Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 1-2

Ten draws: Brighton v Fulham, Bristol City v Blackburn, Preston v Bolton, Reading v Sheffield Wednesday, Shrewsbury v Bristol Rovers, Exeter v Lincoln, Grimsby v Yeovil, Mansfield v Carlisle, Port Vale v Newport, Celtic v Rangers.

Best draws: Brighton v Fulham, Preston v Bolton, Reading v Sheffield Wednesday, Port Vale v Newport, Celtic v Rangers.

Best weekend away bets: Arsenal, Tottenham, Wolves, Derby, Luton, Dundee United.

Best weekend home bets: Chelsea, Everton, Brentford, Ipswich, Sheffield United, Wigan, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Northampton, Oldham.


Pick of the draws: Fulham gained their first Premier League points of the season with a convincing  win over Burnley at Craven Cottage last Sunday. They have the firepower to trouble Brighton, although the Seagulls showed what they were capable of when they beat Manchester United at home two weeks ago. Preston, who could be in for a mediocre season in the Championship, host Bolton, whose early progress was halted when they lost 3-0 at home to Sheffield United last Saturday. This fixture looks to have stalemate written all over it. Struggling Reading have been boosted by consecutive away draws at Blackburn and Aston Villa. They face Sheffield Wednesday, who have run into some form themselves. Cash-strapped Newport are again confounding expectations in League Two. They lie fifth after five matches and have no need to fear a trip to Port Vale. Rangers are unbeaten under Steven Gerrard's managership and should relish going toe-to-toe with their bitter rivals Celtic, who have yet to spark this season. Both sides are playing catch-up to Hearts, the Scottish Premiership leaders.

Away days: Cardiff are without a goal in three Premier League games. Although they will probably break their duck against Arsenal's fragile defence, it is hard to see them containing the Gunners attack and the visitors seem on course for their second win in a row. Tottenham's 3-0 triumph at Old Trafford last Monday was a terrific result and gave them maximum points from their opening three fixtures. They are worth backing at Watford, who also have nine points but were lucky (a) to finish with 11 players on the pitch and (b) to beat Crystal Palace last Sunday. Promoted Wolves are winning many friends with their approach to the Premier League. They deserved their 1-1 home draw against champions Manchester City last weekend and should be too strong for West Ham, who remain pointless. Derby defeated Hull 4-0 in the midweek League Cup and visit Hull again in the Championship on Saturday. I predict the same result, if not the same score. In League One there are signs that Luton are getting into their stride and they are worth a punt at Wycombe. Dundee United are expected to be serious promotion contenders in the Scottish Championship and are highly recommended at lowly Alloa.

Homes sweet homes: Ipswich may be bottom of the Championship with no wins from five games but I've a hunch they'll pull out something extra for the visit of Norwich in the eagerly awaited East Anglian derby on Sunday. Norwich themselves have been none too impressive this season. Sheffield United have woken up after starting sluggishly and I fancy them against Aston Villa, who dropped two points at home to Reading last weekend and were knocked out of the League Cup by League One Burton in midweek. Relegated Northampton's 2-1 victory at high-riding Colchester in League Two last Saturday caught the eye and I'm taking them to follow that up by beating promoted Tranmere at home.


Pools info: Leeds v Middlesbrough (No 15 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 25-26

Ten draws: Bournemouth v Everton, Watford v Crystal Palace, Bolton v Sheffield United, Norwich v Leeds, Blackpool v Accrington, Doncaster v Portsmouth, Oxford v Burton, Crawley v Bury, Tranmere v Port Vale, Hibernian v Aberdeen.

Best draws: Bournemouth v Everton, Norwich v Leeds, Blackpool v Accrington, Oxford v Burton, Tranmere v Port Vale.

Best weekend away bets: Chelsea, Manchester City, Sunderland, Peterborough, Barnsley, Rangers.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Fulham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Derby, Bradford City, Charlton, Luton, Newport, Lincoln.


Pick of the draws: Everton secured a well deserved draw at newly promoted Wolves on the first Saturday of the Premier League season, despite going down to 10 men shortly before half-time. If they can keep 11 players on the pitch I fancy them to share the spoils at Bournemouth, who have begun the campaign with two wins out of two. In the Championship, Norwich have not really got going yet but their 2-0 home win over Preston in midweek suggested that better days lie ahead. They can get something when they host Leeds, who lost their 100% record in a 2-2 draw at Swansea in midweek. Accrington keep punching above their weight, this time in League One. Their most recent victory, 3-2 at Oxford, should stand them in good stead at Blackpool, who are still hindered by problems off the field. Oxford are the only League One team without a point but they can get off the mark against relegated Burton, who have started the season disappointingly. Tranmere, back in the Football League, have had mixed fortunes so far in League Two. So have their opponents, Port Vale, and a point apiece is the most likely outcome here.

Away days: Chelsea have maximum points from their first two Premier League fixtures and although their win over Arsenal last Saturday was not without its flaws, I cannot see their hosts, Newcastle, causing an upset on Sunday. You have to feel sorry for anybody playing Manchester City at the moment. Pep Guardiola's side look unstoppable and they are strong favourites to take three points off Wolves in Saturday's early game. Sunderland are looking for an instant return to the Championship. A 4-1 triumph at Gillingham in midweek was just what the doctor ordered and they will be confident of more success at Wimbledon. Peterborough lead League One with a perfect record after four matches. I'm taking them to make it five in a row at Plymouth. High-riding Barnsley have yet to concede and I've a feeling they'll extend that run after visiting Scunthorpe on Saturday. Scunthorpe have just sacked their manager Nicky Daws. Rangers are higher than their fierce rivals Celtic after two matches in the Scottish Premiership. I think that will still be the case after Rangers have played bottom club Motherwell on Sunday.

Homes sweet homes: Although promoted Fulham are second from bottom of the Premier League and without a point, I expect them to rectify that on Sunday against Burnley, who may not be the force they were, especially as they are now involved in European competition. Charlton should be doing better than mid-table in League One and they are worth a punt against Fleetwood, even though Joey Barton's team have already recorded two away victories this season. Promoted Luton gained a much needed triumph at home to Southend in midweek and ought to cope with the challenge of Shrewsbury, who don't seem a patch on the Shrewsbury who just missed going up last season.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 18-19

Ten draws: Chelsea v Arsenal, Leicester v Wolves, Millwall v Derby, Reading v Bolton, Wigan v Nottingham Forest, Burton v Doncaster, Bury v Forest Green, Crewe v MK Dons, Northampton v Cambridge, Swindon v Tranmere.

Best draws: Chelsea v Arsenal, Millwall v Derby, Burton v Doncaster, Bury v Forest Green, Northampton v Cambridge.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Stoke, Charlton, Lincoln, Wrexham, Hearts.

Best weekend home bets: Everton, Hull, Leeds, West Bromwich, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Stevenage, Barnet, Halifax, Hartlepool.


Pick of the draws: Arsenal played out two goalless draws at Chelsea last season - in the Premier League and League Cup - and another Stamford Bridge stalemate is looming. Both clubs are adjusting to new managers and a point each is the most likely outcome of Saturday's early evening contest. That 4-1 home defeat by Leeds last weekend must have jolted Frank Lampard's Derby but they have a chance of getting back on track at Millwall, who have failed to score in their past two fixtures. Burton are pointless from their first two games in League One since being relegated but a League Cup victory at Shrewsbury in midweek must have settled them down. They face Doncaster, who have got off to a flyer with three wins from three. League Two Bury almost claimed a notable scalp in Championship side Nottingham Forest in the League Cup but Forest Green have made an encouraging start to their campaign and can come away with a point. Cambridge's last-gasp success last Saturday, 3-2 at home to Notts County, will put them in good heart for their trip to Northampton, who have yet to fire.

Away days: Jose Mourinho's close season problems at Old Trafford have rather obscured the fact that Manchester United still have some very good players. They should be too good for Brighton, who were poor when beaten 2-0 at Watford last Saturday. One point from their first two Championship matches was not the start that relegated Stoke were hoping for. Away at Preston will be no easy task either but I've a hunch that the men from the Potteries will come good at Deepdale this weekend. In League One, Charlton seem well equipped to take advantage of Accrington, who crashed 6-1 at League Two Mansfield in the midweek League Cup. League Two promotion contenders Lincoln, six points from their opening two fixtures, are a confident selection at Grimsby and table-topping Wrexham look a good bet at Eastleigh in the National League. Hearts, the Scottish Premiership leaders, are highly recommended at Dunfermline in the Scottish League Cup.

Homes sweet homes: Hull, who often punch above their weight in the Championship, are well worth a punt against promoted Blackburn, who have drawn their first two matches of 2018-19. Barnet have made a terrible start to life back in the National League (no wins and only two points from four games) but they have an opportunity to turn things round when they play Ebbsfleet at The Hive on Saturday. I believe they'll take it. Hartlepool are another National League team who have failed to get going but I'm backing them to gain three points at the expense of struggling Maidenhead.


Pools info: Five of my draw selections were correct last weekend. The matches were Southampton v Burnley, Bolton v Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday v Hull, Luton v Sunderland and Carlisle v Northampton.

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

Ten draws: Southampton v Burnley, Bolton v Bristol City, Derby v Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday v Hull, Gillingham v Burton, Luton v Sunderland, Carlisle v Northampton, Colchester v Port Vale, Lincoln v Swindon, Hearts v Celtic.

Best draws: Southampton v Burnley, Derby v Leeds, Gillingham v Burton, Luton v Sunderland, Lincoln v Swindon.

Best weekend away bets: Chelsea, West Bromwich, Ipswich, Portsmouth, Exeter, Mansfield.

Best weekend home bets: Liverpool, Wolves, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Stoke, Swansea, Charlton, Scunthorpe, MK Dons, Rangers.


Pick of the draws: Burnley's season has already begun because of their involvement in the Europa League. That may make them more ready than their hosts for Sunday's Premier League visit to Southampton, who had a narrow escape from relegation last season and could struggle again this time. Derby and Leeds kicked off their Championship campaign with impressive victories (Derby 2-1 at Reading, Leeds 3-1 at home to Stoke). I believe they'll both be in the mix for promotion and a point apiece on Saturday will confirm they are well matched. Relegated Burton suffered a surprising 2-1 home defeat by Rochdale in League One last weekend but apparently played well. I suspect they'll have better luck at Gillingham, who began their campaign by winning 2-0 at Accrington. Sunderland are odds-on to return to the Championship at the first attempt but could have to settle for a point at Luton, who give little away at home and are expected to adapt quickly to life in a higher division. Swindon's two goals in added time when beating Macclesfield 3-2 was the comeback of last weekend and I'm backing them to get something at Lincoln in League Two.

Away days: Although Chelsea have experienced an unsettled close season, they should have too much in the tank for Huddersfield, who will do well to escape relegation again. West Bromwich Albion slipped up at home to Bolton last Saturday but recovered to hold Nottingham Forest to an away draw in midweek. I'm sure there's more to come from them and they are worth a punt at Norwich, who failed to set the Championship alight last season. I fancy Ipswich to obtain maximum points at promoted Rotherham, who had an uncomfortable introduction to the Championship when they were thrashed 5-1 by Brentford. Gary Bowyer was the first managerial casualty of the season, leaving after Blackpool's goalless draw at Wycombe in League One last Saturday. The seaside club are in turmoil off the pitch and Portsmouth, their opponents this weekend, are poised to take advantage. Exeter, at Morecambe, and Mansfield, at Yeovil, are two of my more confident selections. Exeter and Mansfield are likely to be front-runners for promotion in League Two, whereas their opponents will probably struggle.

Homes sweet homes: Promoted Wolves are even stronger now than when they were running away with the Championship last season. They'll be raring to go after making several signings this summer and in the mood to take it out on Everton, who have plenty to prove to their new manager. Only a late Ipswich goal deprived promoted Blackburn of an away victory in their opening game of the Championship season. Tony Mowbray's team are back at Ewood Park this weekend and well capable of defeating Millwall. Stoke's start to the season wasn't ideal (losing 3-1 at Leeds last Sunday) but I think they'll bounce straight back against Brentford, who are less assured on their travels.


Pools info: Manchester United v Leicester (No 6 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.

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

Ten draws: Millwall v Middlesbrough, Sheffield United v Swansea, Wigan v Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry v Scunthorpe, Portsmouth v Luton, Bury v Yeovil, Port Vale v Cambridge, Aberdeen v Rangers, St Mirren v Dundee, Forfar v Airdrieonians.

Best draws: Sheffield United v Swansea, Wigan v Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry v Scunthorpe, Portsmouth v Luton, Aberdeen v Rangers.

Best weekend away bets: Derby (Friday), Nottingham Forest, Plymouth, MK Dons, Partick, Brechin.

Best weekend home bets: Birmingham, Brentford, West Bromwich, Barnsley, Fleetwood, Crewe, Exeter, Grimsby, Swindon, Ross.


Pick of the draws: Swansea appointed Graham Potter as manager after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed. Potter worked wonders at Swedish club Ostersund last season and is expected to do well at Swansea. He could have had easier opponents to start with than Sheffield United but Swansea can come away with a point. Wigan were not only promoted but ended their Division One campaign as champions. I suspect they will adjust quickly to the Championship and should be good enough to frustrate Sheffield Wednesday, who often flatter to deceive. Coventry, up from Division Two, are another promoted club who are capable of further progress and I'm backing them to share the spoils with Scunthorpe. After last season's disappointment Portsmouth need to hit the ground running but may struggle to defeat a Luton team moving in the right direction. Rangers will be boosted by the appointment of Steven Gerrard as manager and I believe he'll begin his new career in the Scottish Premiership with a point at Aberdeen on Sunday.

Away days: Derby, now managed by England centurion Frank Lampard, kick off the Championship season with a visit to Reading on Friday evening and after Reading's troubles in 2017-18 he'll be confident of three points. No club has signed more players in the summer than Nottingham Forest. Their away record left much to be desired last season but I believe they'll get off to a flier with victory at Bristol City, who faded badly in the run-in. Plymouth, who qualified for the League One play-offs last season, have more going for them than their hosts Walsall and are well worth a punt. MK Dons are determined to bounce straight back after relegation to League Two and have a winnable fixture at Oldham, as do relegated Partick at Ayr in the Scottish Championship. Brechin will probably be relieved to return to Scottish One football after their disastrous experience in the Championship last season when they failed to win a game. I'm tipping them to win at Stenhousemuir.

Homes sweet homes: Birmingham finished last season's disappointing Championship campaign with a flourish and are fancied to start 2018-19 by beating Norwich, who failed to rise above mediocre. Former tough guy midfielder Joey Barton is cutting his managerial teeth with League One Fleetwood, who host Wimbledon. Whatever the season has in store for the controversial Barton, I'm taking Fleetwood to gain all three points on Saturday. League Two looks a good division for home selections this weekend and the two who most appeal to me are Crewe (v Morecambe) and Grimsby (v Forest Green).