Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Pools tips for this weekend September 24-25



Treble chance: West Bromwich v Fulham, Bristol City v Hull, Burnley v Southampton, Portsmouth v Blackpool, Colchester v Walsall, Aldershot v Crawley, Crewe v Port Vale, Northampton v Dagenham & Redbridge, Ayr v Queen of South, Morton v Falkirk.


Best draws: West Bromwich v Fulham, Burnley v Southampton, Aldershot v Crawley, Crewe v Port Vale, Morton v Falkirk.


Aways: Manchester United, Tottenham, Reading, Nottingham Forest, MK Dons.


Homes: Chelsea, Liverpool, Birmingham, Derby, Bournemouth, Oldham, Cheltenham, Gillingham, Oxford.


Pick of the draws: Fulham's recovery from 2-0 behind against Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend will encourage them to believe they can get something from their visit to bottom-of-the-table West Brom. Southampton's flying start in the Championship could be checked at Turf Moor by Burnley, who are better than their low position indicates. In League Two, Aldershot are on the upgrade after an indifferent start to the season and capable of holding promotion contenders Crawley. Crewe have not drawn so far but that statistic will probably change when they host Port Vale in what seems like an even contest. Morton top the Scottish first division but in-form Falkirk, who lie third, can prevent them from gaining a third home victory.


Away days: It is impossible to bet against all-conquering Manchester United at the moment and they should add Stoke to their list of victims. Tottenham were excellent when beating Liverpool 4-0 last Sunday and will surely have too much for Wigan, who look destined for another relegation struggle. In the Championship, Reading's blip appears to be over and they are worth backing at Coventry. Struggling Nottingham Forest showed signs of improvement in their 4-3 extra-time defeat by Newcastle in the Carling Cup and may fancy their chances at Watford. I'm taking MK Dons, fourth in League One, to gain maximum points at ailing Bury.


Homes sweet homes: Birmingham have won their last three home games. Don't be surprised if they make it four against Barnsley. Two consecutive away victories have helped Bournemouth climb away from the League One relegation zone and I believe they will end the unbeaten run of Hartlepool, who have moved into the play-off places. Paul Dickov's Oldham have found some form recently and I expect them to defeat Brentford. Gillingham arrested their slide in League Two with a thumping 6-0 win at Hereford last Saturday and visitors Burton will feel apprehensive. Although Oxford's home record has let them down so far, they should still be too strong for Accrington. 

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Pools tips for this weekend September 17-18



Treble chance: Bolton v Norwich, Sunderland v Stoke, Blackpool v Cardiff, Leicester v Brighton, Nottingham Forest v Derby, Exeter v Bournemouth, MK Dons v Huddersfield, Yeovil v Sheffield Wednesday, Accrington v Crewe, Torquay v Rotherham.


Best draws: Bolton v Norwich, Sunderland v Stoke, Blackpool v Cardiff, Leicester v Brighton, Yeovil v Sheffield Wednesday.


Aways: Manchester City, Watford, West Ham, Oxford, Gillingham.


Homes: Swansea, Hull, Leeds, Peterborough, Reading, Chesterfield, Sheffield United, Tranmere, Burton.


Pick of the draws: Bolton have gone off the boil spectacularly since the opening day of the season and promoted Norwich can escape with a point. Stoke are unbeaten in league combat so far and will have no fears about going to Sunderland, who have yet to register a win. Blackpool are one of the fancied sides in the Championship but may struggle to overcome Cardiff, who are proving resilient on their travels. Joint leaders Brighton have three wins out of three on the road but probably face their toughest test yet at Leicester. In League One I expect Sheffield Wednesday to recover from their surprising 5-1 thumping at Stevenage by sharing the spoils at Yeovil.


Away days: Free-scoring Manchester City look irresistible at the moment and will surely put Fulham to the sword. Watford will be buoyed by their 2-0 Championship victory at Reading last Saturday and look good enough for maximum points at Barnsley. I'm confident West Ham will make it four away wins out of four against faltering Millwall. In League Two, Oxford will be fancying their chances at Barnet and I take Gillingham to return to winning ways against ailing Hereford. 


Homes sweet homes: Premier League newcomers Swansea were unlucky to lose at Arsenal last weekend and their opponents, West Brom, could suffer a backlash. Improving Hull seem good value against Portsmouth in the Championship while Reading, who have disappointed so far, should still have enough to see off bottom club Doncaster. Promoted Chesterfield have finally found their feet in League One and are worth a punt against Carlisle. Don't be surprised if underrated Burton halt Swindon's progress in League Two.   

Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Pools tips for this weekend September 10-11



Treble chance: Everton v Aston Villa, Wolves v Tottenham, Coventry v Derby, Peterborough v Hull, Bury v Rochdale, Sheffield Wednesday v MK Dons, Morecambe v Crawley, Swindon v Southend, Inverness v Hearts, Livingston v Falkirk.


Best draws: Wolves v Tottenham, Coventry v Derby, Peterborough v Hull, Sheffield Wednesday v MK Dons, Morecambe v Crawley.


Aways: Liverpool, Leicester, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Brentford.


Homes: Arsenal, Manchester City, Blackpool, Burnley, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Charlton, Bradford, Cheltenham.


Pick of the draws: Bottom-of-the-table Tottenham will be anxious to put some points on the board after their poor start to the season. They drew at Wolves last season and can do so again, despite the improvement shown by the hosts in the Premier League. Derby have maximum points from two away matches in the Championship but I'm taking struggling Coventry to hold them, especially after their well-earned point at Middlesbrough two weeks ago. Hull are showing signs of recovery after their stuttering start and can get something at Peterborough. Sheffield Wednesday, who did well to draw 1-1 at Charlton on Monday, have enough in their locker to check the progress of MK Dons, who are joint top of League One, while two in-form sides, Morecambe and Crawley, play each other in League Two.


Away days: Liverpool are a force to be reckoned with these days and equipped to prevail at Stoke, even with the hosts' transfer-deadline day signings. Leicester seem to be getting back on track in the Championship and will be confident of winning at Barnsley. Crystal Palace have made rapid strides under manager Dougie Freedman, particularly in defence, and can surprise Leeds, who are brittle and erratic. League One joint leaders Sheffield United must be fancied at Scunthorpe and Brentford, who are thriving under Uwe Rosler, will rate their chances at Wycombe.


Homes sweet homes: Blackpool will be expected to punish an Ipswich team who have already conceded 14 goals in the Championship this season. Burnley fully merited their away victory at Derby and I believe they will build on that against Middlesbrough at Turf Moor. In League One, lowly Bournemouth are worth backing against Chesterfield, who are doing even worse. Bradford City, encouraged by their last-minute equaliser at pace-setting Morecambe last Saturday, should be in the mood against Bristol Rovers in League Two while Cheltenham look too strong for Macclesfield, whose bubble burst against Torquay at the weekend.

Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Pools tips for this weekend September 3-4



Treble chance: Carlisle v MK Dons, Chesterfield v Leyton Orient, Aldershot v Cheltenham, Barnet v Accrington, Crewe v Oxford, Gillingham v Shrewsbury, Ebbsfleet v Barrow, Newport v Cambridge, Nuneaton v Gainsborough, Solihull v Hinckley.


Best draws: Carlisle v MK Dons, Aldershot v Cheltenham, Crewe v Oxford, Gillingham v Shrewsbury, Newport v Cambridge.


Aways: Huddersfield, Port Vale, Rotherham, Tamworth, Boston.


Homes: Notts County, Scunthorpe, Sheffield United, Walsall, Burton, Crawley, Southend, Forest Green, Gateshead.


Pick of the draws: MK Dons are the surprising leaders of League One but they will have their work cut out at Carlisle, who have also made a fine start to the season. Cheltenham are one of the surprise packages in League Two and playing well enough to gain a point at Aldershot. Crewe are finding goals hard to come by and it is difficult to see that changing against promotion hopefuls Oxford. Shrewsbury seem on the upgrade after a hesitant start and I'm backing them to hold Gillingham, who were well beaten at Rotherham last Saturday. Neither Newport nor Cambridge is setting the Blue Square Premier alight and I predict another stalemate.


Away days: Huddersfield are expected to break their away duck against out-of-sorts Oldham in League One while, in League Two, Port Vale should be strong enough to beat AFC Wimbledon. Rotherham will be confident of staying top of the division against Swindon, who are languishing at the wrong end of the table. Tamworth have made an encouraging start in the Blue Square Premier and are worth supporting at Hayes & Yeading. Boston, who have already won two away matches in the Blue Square North, are fancied to make it three against struggling Bishop's Stortford.


Homes sweet homes: Scunthorpe are playing better than their results suggest in League One and could surprise Colchester. Walsall had an excellent 2-0 victory at Bournemouth last Saturday and are tipped for another three points against Brentford. Southend are in fine fettle in League Two and will probably see off underperforming Northampton. Forest Green are punching above their weight in the Blue Square Premier and look good for maximum points against lowly Grimsby.

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Pools tips for this weekend August 27-28



Treble chance: Blackburn v Everton, Tottenham v Manchester City, Brighton v Peterborough, Ipswich v Leeds, Watford v Birmingham, Preston v Notts County, Sheffield Wednesday v Scunthorpe, Northampton v Morecambe, Inverness v Kilmarnock, St Johnstone v Dundee United.


Best draws: Tottenham v Manchester City, Ipswich v Leeds, Watford v Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday v Scunthorpe, Northampton v Morecambe.


Aways: Queens Park Rangers, Reading, West Ham, Oldham, Crawley.


Homes: Aston Villa, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Derby, Middlesbrough, Exeter, Leyton Orient, MK Dons, Bristol Rovers.




Pick of the draws: Manchester City drew at Tottenham on the opening day of last season and Sunday's match looks nailed on for a repeat result. City have hit the ground running with maximum points from their first two Premier League fixtures, but Tottenham are hard to beat at home and will be anxious to put some points on the board. Although Ipswich have conceded 12 goals in their last two Championship matches, manager Paul Jewell will be determined to find a solution for the visit of Leeds, who have made only an average start to the season. It looks like being a long, hard winter for both Watford and Birmingham, who meet at Vicarage Road on Sunday. I cannot see them being separated. In League One, get on Scunthorpe to follow up their merited 2-2 draw at Charlton by gaining a point at Sheffield Wednesday. Morecambe are the surprise package in League Two and tipped to share the spoils at Northampton.


Away days: The mood at QPR has changed for the better. Now under new ownership, they deserved their victory at Everton last Saturday and can come away from Wigan with three points. Hull have already lost two Championship matches at home this season, so don't be surprised if they end up second best to their enterprising visitors, Reading. West Ham have looked more comfortable away than at home and I fancy them to beat Nottingham Forest, who have yet to settle under Steve McClaren. Oldham are showing signs of turning the corner in League One and winning at Colchester should not be beyond them. Crawley are the bookmakers' favourites for a second successive promotion and will probably add Cheltenham to their list of League Two scalps.


Homes sweet homes: Aston Villa are showing signs of being a more difficult proposition this season and they can halt the early-season progress of Wolves in the Premier League. Although West Bromwich are pointless after two matches, they played well against Manchester United and Chelsea and are a good bet to defeat Stoke. In League One, promoted Chesterfield are still reeling from their 6-2 thrashing by MK Dons on Saturday and Exeter can take advantage. Leyton Orient find themselves bottom of this division but won't be panicking just yet. Have a punt on the Londoners collecting their first points of the season against Carlisle.