Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 20-21

Ten draws: Cardiff v Fulham, Derby v Sheffield United, Reading v Millwall, Stoke v Birmingham, Bradford City v Rochdale, Charlton v Barnsley, Plymouth v Burton, Southend v Coventry, Crawley v Newport, Morecambe v Colchester.

Best draws: Cardiff v Fulham, Derby v Sheffield United, Plymouth v Burton, Southend v Coventry, Morecambe v Colchester.

Best weekend away bets: West Bromwich, Oxford, Sunderland, Carlisle, Mansfield, Rangers.

Best weekend home bets: Bournemouth, Newcastle, Wolves, Aston Villa, Blackpool, Doncaster, Portsmouth, Bury, MK Dons, Livingston.


Pick of the draws: Although bottom-of-the-table Cardiff are odds-on favourites to go straight back down and are without a win in the Premier League this season, they should salvage something from the visit of Fulham, who were heavily defeated at home by Arsenal last time out and are showing  defensive frailties. Sheffield United, with four away wins under their belt, have surged to the top of the Championship and can deny Frank Lampard's Derby. Plymouth sank to the bottom of League One after being beaten at Oxford. They have won only once this season and may not add to that against Burton, who are at least defensively efficient. Two teams in better shape are Southend and Coventry, who meet at Roots Hall. Both won their previous match and only two points separate them. Stalemate is the likeliest result. Colchester, in the League Two play-off positions, could find their trip to Morecambe harder than expected. The Lancashire club are enjoying a revival, which was confirmed by their 2-0 victory at Carlisle last time out.

Away days: Free-scoring West Bromwich Albion, second in the Championship, have an excellent chance of sending Wigan to their first home defeat of the season. Oxford's 2-0 home victory over Plymouth last weekend was only the second time they've picked up maximum points in League One this season but they are worth a wager at Bristol Rovers, who are only one point better off and desperately out of form. Sunderland, handily placed for a promotion push, will feel confident of returning from Shrewsbury with three points. Carlisle's best results in League Two have come on the road, winning four matches out of six. They'll fancy achieving their fifth victory at rock-bottom Macclesfield, who are without a win of any kind. Mansfield have drawn all five of their away games. I believe they'll go one better at Swindon, who have slipped into mid-table mediocrity. Steven Gerrard's Rangers will be disappointed if they don't prevail at Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership.

Homes sweet homes: Newcastle, who have lost all four Premier League fixtures at St James' Park, will feel that the tide must turn soon, so don't be surprised if it happens on Saturday against Brighton, who are consistently weak away. Aston Villa, now managed by former Brentford chief Dean Smith with John Terry as his No 2, are worth a punt against Swansea, who surprisingly lost 3-2 at home to struggling Ipswich in their previous match. Although Villa are in the bottom half of the Championship, they are only four points off a play-off place and will be anxious to improve their indifferent home record. Despite Notts County climbing clear of the League Two relegation zone under new manager Harry Kewell, I don't rate their chances at ninth-placed Bury, who are playing good football and were unlucky not to win at Crewe last Saturday.

Pools info: Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough (match No 17 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.

Betting info: You'd have been in the money if you had backed my away predictions last weekend. I got six out of six. The successful sides were Portugal, Portsmouth, MK Dons, Lincoln, Wrexham and Gateshead.