Wednesday, 16 September 2020

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.

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