Wednesday, 16 October 2024

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

 Ten draws: Fulham v Aston Villa, Manchester United v Brentford, Cardiff v Plymouth, Luton v Watford, Sheffield Wednesday v Burnley, Stoke v Norwich, Accrington v Barrow, Grimsby v Walsall, Port Vale v Fleetwood, St Johnstone v Ross.

Best draws: Fulham v Aston Villa, Luton v Watford, Stoke v Norwich, Accrington v Barrow, Port Vale v Fleetwood.

Weekend football's best bets: Six aways: Arsenal, Portsmouth, Wigan, Wrexham, Doncaster, East Fife.

Ten homes: Ipswich, Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Bolton, Huddersfield, Mansfield, Reading, Morecambe, Hearts, York.

Pick of the draws: Fulham lost narrowly at Manchester City last time out in the Premier League and it won't surprise me if they frustrate Aston Villa, who disappointed when being held to a goalless home draw by Manchester United. Relegated Luton sit just outside the Championship relegation zone but are likely to raise their game against fierce rivals Watford, who, by contrast, are in the play-off positions. Stoke and Norwich, who play each other, have experienced big, recent victories - Stoke 6 Portsmouth 1 and Norwich 4 Hull 0 - so it's hard to pick a winner. Accrington climbed out of the League Two relegation zone with a stunning 2-1 away win against promotion contenders Gillingham last Saturday. That was Accrington's second victory in a row, so high-flying Barrow, who lost to lowly Morecambe on the same day, have been warned. By winning 1-0 at MK Dons last weekend, Port Vale went from sixth to first. However, they could be denied by Fleetwood, who have scored more away goals than anyone in League Two, including a 6-2 triumph at Walsall.

Away days: Arsenal won their corresponding Premier League fixture at Bournemouth 4-0 last season. Although I can't see it being as easy as that this time, the Gunners, third in the table, should still have enough in reserve to come away with three points. Promoted Portsmouth are still waiting for their first win in the Championship. I think it may arrive at Queens Park Rangers, who are in as much trouble as Pompey and sit just above them in the drop zone. In League One, Wigan should return from rock bottom Cambridge with maximum points while Wrexham, in second place, are worth backing at Rotherham. Doncaster could be the new League Two leaders if they win at Swindon and I believe they will. East Fife, top of Scottish League Two, are a confident selection at struggling Forfar.

Homes sweet homes: I'm going for promoted Ipswich to win their first Premier League match of the season against Everton, who are always vulnerable away. Morecambe's 1-0 success at Barrow last Saturday was their first in League Two this season. It enabled them to move off the bottom and I fancy them to triumph again, this time at the expense of mid-table Milton Keynes Dons. It's a shock to see Hearts at the foot of the Scottish Premiership. I can't imagine they will be there long and I feel they are worth a wager against St Mirren.

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