Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Sept 22-23

Ten draws: Burnley v Bournemouth, Manchester United v Wolves, Queens Park Rangers v Norwich, Reading v Hull, Barnsley v Burton, Blackpool v Luton, Cambridge v Mansfield, Morecambe v Macclesfield, Northampton v Notts County, Aberdeen v Motherwell.

Best draws: Burnley v Bournemouth, Barnsley v Burton, Blackpool v Luton, Morecambe v Macclesfield, Northampton v Notts County.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, Chelsea, Coventry, Peterborough, Hibernian, Ayr.

Best weekend home bets: Crystal Palace, Leeds, Sheffield United, Stoke, West Bromwich, Charlton, Doncaster, Oldham, Tranmere, Hearts.


Pick of the draws: Although Burnley are bottom of the Premier League with no wins from five matches, they haven't become a bad team overnight and they are capable of gaining a point from the visit of high-flying Bournemouth. Relegated Burton have picked up in League One and had a particularly good result at home to Sunderland last Saturday, winning 2-1. Barnsley went down to their first defeat of the season at Coventry last weekend and I believe they'll be held by Nigel Clough's side. Blackpool had two players sent off for fighting each other in their 1-0 triumph at Plymouth last Saturday and the suspensions will probably harm their chances against Luton, who are coping well with playing in a higher division. Morecambe and Macclesfield, who face one another, seem destined for a season of struggle in League Two and a point apiece is the most likely result here. New manager Harry Kewell has a job on his hands at bottom club Notts County. They have lost all four away games so far but they will be disappointed not to come away with something at Northampton, who are only four points above them.

Away days: Manchester City will be anxious to make amends for their unexpected midweek defeat by Lyon in the Champions League - their first of the season - and it is hard to see them failing again against Neil Warnock's Cardiff. Chelsea, the Premier League leaders, have given their title hopes a real shot in the arm with maximum points from their first five matches and are in the mood to make it six wins in a row on Sunday at West Ham, who were pointless before last weekend. Coventry have won their past two fixtures in League One, so don't be surprised if they collect another three points at Bristol Rovers, who have slid into the relegation zone. Peterborough have been replaced at the top of League One by Portsmouth, who beat them 2-1 away last Saturday. I think that will be only a temporary setback and I expect Posh to come away from ailing Gillingham with a victory. In the Scottish Premiership, Hibernian are recommended at Dundee, who are still without a point, while Ayr are a confident selection at struggling Alloa in the Scottish Championship.

Homes sweet homes: Relegated Stoke have been slow to adjust to the demands of the Championship but there are signs they are getting their act together and they are worth a punt against shot-shy Blackburn, who have only eight goals from the same number of matches. Oldham's 3-0 success at Grimsby last Saturday caught the eye in League Two and I'm backing them to inflict Colchester's first away defeat this season. A home win would lift Oldham above Colchester in the upper reaches of the table. Tranmere, who lie just outside the League Two play-off positions, are in good nick. They host third-placed Newport, whose confidence must have been adversely affected by their shock 6-0 home loss to Yeovil last Saturday.


Pools info: Wigan v Bristol City (match No 21 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void. Three of my five best draw selections were correct last weekend - Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke, Cheltenham v Crewe and Notts County v Stevenage.