Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 3-4

Ten draws: Everton v Brighton, Manchester United v Tottenham, Reading v Watford, Rotherham v Huddersfield, Blackpool v Lincoln, Burton v Portsmouth, Rochdale v Fleetwood, Wigan v Doncaster, Carlisle v Barrow, Stevenage v Salford.

Best draws: Everton v Brighton, Rotherham v Huddersfield, Burton v Portsmouth, Wigan v Doncaster, Carlisle v Barrow.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Liverpool, Manchester City, Sunderland, Ipswich, Gillingham, Port Vale.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Arsenal, Wolves, Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Hull, Colchester, Crawley, Newport, Tranmere, Hartlepool.

Pick of the draws: Brighton are playing well and were desperately unlucky to lose at home to Manchester United last Saturday. If they repeat that performance they are capable of holding Everton, one of the early Premier League front-runners on maximum points. Rotherham and Huddersfield, who meet in the Championship, are finding goals hard to come by and if any game draws a blank on Saturday it's likely to be this one. The pressure is on Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett to deliver after his team's bad start to the season in League One. Jackett and his players may go some way to doing that at Burton, who conceded four goals at Swindon last weekend. Wigan got their season up and running by winning 2-1 at Portsmouth but Doncaster, their opponents, are showing that they could be promotion contenders. Football League newcomers Barrow are without a win after three matches in League Two but they haven't been overawed in the higher division and I believe they'll deny Carlisle victory.

Away days: Premier League champions Liverpool have begun where they left off in 2019-20 and cannot be opposed, although, Aston Villa, their hosts on Sunday, are a trickier proposition this season. Manchester City's 5-2 home defeat by Leicester last Sunday was a big upset. Manager Pep Guardiola  will be anxious to bounce back as quickly as possible at Leeds and the Yorkshiremen could feel a backlash. Sunderland are among the early front-runners in League One and must be fancied at ailing Charlton. Leaders Ipswich are determined to improve on last season's mediocrity and will be confident of three points at lowly Milton Keynes. Gillingham, under manager Steve Evans, give little away and can return from Shrewsbury with a maximum haul. Port Vale, in second place, look as if they mean business in League Two and are worth a punt at Morecambe, who lie fifth.

Homes sweet homes: Middlesbrough are yet to get going in the Championship but three points are up for grabs against Barnsley, who seem likely to struggle again. It's about time that Tranmere, unluckily relegated to League Two last season on the predicted points per game basis, stopped feeling sorry for themselves and I'm taking them to spark into life against Scunthorpe. The National League fixtures start this weekend and Hartlepool look a good proposition against Aldershot, who probably won't enjoy the long journey home.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 26-27

Ten draws: Brighton v Manchester United, Crystal Palace v Everton, West Ham v Wolves, Millwall v Brentford, Northampton v Hull, Sunderland v Peterborough, Swindon v Burton, Oldham v Crawley, Southend v Morecambe, Celtic v Hibernian.

Best draws: West Ham v Wolves, Northampton v Hull, Sunderland v Peterborough, Southend v Morecambe, Celtic v Hibernian.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Chelsea, Blackburn, Swansea, Colchester, Carlisle, Kilmarnock.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Burnley, Tottenham, Bristol City, Cardiff, Crewe, Doncaster, Ipswich, Bolton, Cambridge, Cheltenham.

Pick of the draws: West Ham didn't deserve to go away from the Emirates empty-handed last Saturday and can collect their first point of the season against Wolves, who have lost at home to Stoke in the League Cup and Manchester City in the league. Northampton are adjusting well to the higher division of League One but relegated Hull will provide a stiff test and this match-up looks one of the most likely draws on the coupon. Two injury-time goals gave Peterborough a much needed victory over Fleetwood last weekend and should put them in the mood to get something at Sunderland, who are unreliable at home. Southend and Morecambe, who meet at Roots Hall on Saturday, are expected to be battling relegation from League Two and my hunch is for a low-scoring stalemate. Celtic had a far from comfortable home win over lowly Livingston in the Scottish Premiership last Saturday and may be vulnerable against Hibernian, who held Rangers 2-2 last Sunday.

Away days: I believe Chelsea will bounce back from Sunday's home defeat by Liverpool by beating West Brom, who are bottom of the Premier League and have conceded eight goals in their opening two league fixtures. In the Championship, Blackburn aren't the best travellers but they are worth a wager at Derby, who are struggling. Swansea will be confident of maximum points at Wycombe, whose stay in the Championship will probably be a short one. In League Two, on-form Colchester seem a good thing at newly promoted Barrow and Carlisle, having got off the mark against Southend, are fancied to win again at Scunthorpe. Kilmarnock beat Hamilton at home in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, despite being down to 10 men. I think they'll get another three points at St Mirren.

Homes sweet homes: I'm tipping Cardiff, 2-0 winners at Nottingham Forest last Saturday, to put Reading to the sword, despite Reading being top of the Championship. Crewe, promoted to League One, are pointless after two games but they can break their duck against MK Dons, who have also had a less than convincing start. No joy so far for Ian Evatt, newly appointed manager of Bolton in League Two. They host Newport, who knocked Watford, of the Championship, out of the League Cup in midweek. But the Welshmen may have an adverse reaction from the effort they expended on Tuesday, so have a punt on Bolton to gain their first win of the season.

Pools info: Huddersfield v Nottingham Forest (No 14 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 19-20

Ten draws: Chelsea v Liverpool, Norwich v Preston, Nottingham Forest v Cardiff, Stoke v Bristol City, Blackpool v Swindon, Burton v Accrington, Peterborough v Fleetwood, Harrogate v Walsall, Tranmere v Cheltenham, Kilmarnock v Hamilton.

Best draws: Chelsea v Liverpool, Nottingham Forest v Cardiff, Burton v Accrington, Peterborough v Fleetwood, Harrogate v Walsall.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Millwall, Ipswich, Portsmouth, Salford, Oldham, Rangers.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Arsenal, Everton, Leeds, Leicester, Southampton, Blackburn, Brentford, Luton, Hull, Newport.

Pick of the draws: I'm expecting a high-scoring stalemate when champions Liverpool go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Liverpool's much praised defence looked vulnerable when they beat Leeds on the opening day of the season and Chelsea have the forwards to take advantage of that. Meanwhile, Chelsea's defence is also far from secure. In the Championship, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff have flopped so far and it's hard to make a positive case for either of them. Accrington's 2-0 home victory over Peterborough in League One last Saturday indicates that they will continue to punch above their weight and I'm taking them to hold Burton. If Fleetwood's away form improves they could mount a promotion challenge and their first test is against Peterborough, who have yet to get out of the starting blocks. Harrogate's 4-0 away success at Southend in League Two was probably the best result of last weekend but Walsall will probably provide stiffer opposition for the Football League's newcomers.

Away days: Millwall, who finished just outside the Championship play-off places, will start favourites at promoted Rotherham and I think they will justify that favouritism. In League One, Ipswich will surely do better than last season and their visit to Bristol Rovers is a match they should be winning. Although Portsmouth have made a hesitant start to the campaign, I have to fancy them at Rochdale on Sunday. I reckon Salford will be in the League Two promotion mix and a win at Grimsby is within their grasp. Although Oldham lost at home to Leyton Orient last weekend, I expect them to bounce back at Stevenage, who can count themselves lucky to still be in the Football League. Rangers have made a flying start in the Scottish Premiership and the leaders are capable of extending their unbeaten run at Hibernian.

Homes sweet homes: Leeds seem more likely to adapt to a higher grade of football than Fulham, their visitors. Leeds were unlucky to come away from Anfield empty-handed last Saturday and I'm taking them to come out on top in this Premier League clash on Saturday. Southampton should also have got something at Crystal Palace and they have a good chance of making amends against Tottenham, who were poor when losing at home to Everton last Sunday. Unfashionable Luton, of the Championship, have won all their games so far, so won't be fearing a visit from Derby, who have impressed nobody.

Pools info: Aston Villa v Sheffield United (No 2 on coupon) is being played on Monday and will be assessed by the pools panel.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 12-13

Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Southampton, Barnsley v Luton, Bristol City v Coventry, Huddersfield v Norwich, Queens Park Rangers v Nottingham Forest, Wycombe v Rotherham, Lincoln v Oxford, Swindon v Rochdale, Oldham v Leyton Orient, Salford v Exeter.

Best draws: Barnsley v Luton, Bristol City v Coventry, Lincoln v Oxford, Swindon v Rochdale, Oldham v Leyton Orient.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Arsenal, Brentford, Reading, Charlton, Newport, Hibernian.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Bournemouth, Preston, Northampton, Plymouth, Bolton, Bradford City, Cheltenham, Port Vale, Walsall, Rangers.

Pick of the draws: Barnsley and Luton performed miracles to avoid the drop into League One and both won League Cup ties against the odds last Saturday. With the Football League programme starting this weekend it's hard to separate them. Promoted Coventry showed their intent when their 10 men won at MK Dons last Saturday. It shouldn't be beyond them to gain a point at Bristol City, whose promotion challenge faded at the end of last season. Oxford were unlucky not to be promoted to the Championship but won't underestimate their task at Lincoln, who are hoping to improve on last season's mid-table position. I believe promoted Swindon will recover from last week's League Cup home defeat by Charlton and share the spoils with Rochdale. Leyton Orient began the 2020-21 campaign by winning at Forest Green but may have to settle for a point at Oldham, who had a comfortable home victory over Carlisle. 

Away days: Arsenal's morale is high after lifting the FA Cup and Community Shield and intend to put down an early marker at Fulham's Craven Cottage, where they have a good record. Brentford, who were so close to the Premier League last season, are fancied to triumph at Birmingham, who don't inspire the same confidence. Reading, first-round League Cup winners last Saturday, are worth a punt at Derby, who only beat League newcomers Barrow via a penalty shoot-out. Charlton's impressive 3-1 win at Swindon last weekend will make them favourites to come away from Crewe with maximum points. In League Two, Newport should be too strong for Scunthorpe while Hibernian seem to have the measure of St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership. 

Homes sweet homes: Despite selling striker Callum Wilson to Newcastle, I expect Bournemouth to bounce back from last season's demotion and they will be disappointed with less than three points from the visit of Blackburn. Northampton's 3-0 success over Championship team Cardiff was possibly the best result of last weekend and if they play half as well this Saturday they should account for Wimbledon. Plymouth, like Northampton promoted to League One, also beat higher opposition when hosting Queens Park Rangers and they can see off visitors Blackpool.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 5-6

 Ten draws: Crewe v Lincoln, Forest Green v Leyton Orient, Ipswich v Bristol Rovers, Luton v Norwich, MK Dons v Coventry, Oldham v Carlisle, Scunthorpe v Port Vale, Walsall v Sheffield Wednesday, Azerbaijan v Luxembourg, Gibraltar v San Marino.

Best draws: Crewe v Lincoln, Luton v Norwich, MK Dons v Coventry, Scunthorpe v Port Vale, Gibraltar v San Marino.

Best bets: Six aways: Wigan, Swansea, Cardiff, Rotherham, Belgium, England.

Best bets: Ten homes: Brentford, Bristol City, Derby, Gillingham, Oxford, Peterborough, Rochdale, Swindon, Sunderland, Tranmere.

Pick of the draws: League One Lincoln's poor away record last season will be put to the test on Saturday in the League Cup first round when they visit Crewe, who have been promoted from League Two. It's my hunch that Lincoln will at least take the tie to a penalty shoot-out after 90 minutes. The way that relegated Norwich folded in last season's latter stages was worrying and Luton, who staged a remarkable late rally to stay in the Championship, will be encouraged by that. Although Coventry gained promotion to the Championship, they won't find it easy at MK Dons, who were capable of better than their 18th placing in League One last term. Port Vale, who missed the League Two play-offs by a whisker, travel to Scunthorpe, who are hoping to improve on last season's 19th position. Gibraltar v San Marino is a clash of football minnows in the first batch of Nations League matches at the weekend and neither will feel confident of seizing the day.

Away days: Wigan were desperately unlucky to drop into League One, having gone into administration, and they will be aiming to take their frustration out on Joey Barton's Fleetwood. Swansea, who reached the Championship play-offs, shouldn't be inconvenienced by Newport, of League Two, while Cardiff, who were also in the Championship play-offs, will surely see off promoted Northampton. I expect Rotherham, up from League One, to confirm their superiority over Salford. It would take a brave man to bet against Belgium these days and I can't see Denmark upsetting them in the Nations League. Iceland aren't half the side they were when they beat England in the 2016 Euros and Gareth Southgate's men are seeking revenge.

Homes sweet homes: If there's a surprise in this weekend's League Cup it may come at Rochdale, who host Huddersfield. Thanks mainly to the Cowley brothers, Huddersfield avoided relegation from the Championship and then promptly sacked them. That decision may come to haunt them this season and could work in favour of League One Rochdale, who often relish being the underdogs. Swindon, promoted into League One as champions, meet cash-strapped Charlton, who dropped out of the Championship. The momentum is with the hosts and the same can be said for Sunderland, who play relegated Hull.

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