Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Nov 11-12

Ten draws: Blackpool v Portsmouth, Rochdale v Wigan, Cambridge v Accrington, Crawley v Forest Green, Ebbsfleet v Leyton Orient, Halifax v Woking, Alfreton v York, Boston v Stockport, Airdrieonians v Stranraer, Peterhead v Stenhousemuir.

Best draws: Blackpool v Portsmouth, Rochdale v Wigan, Crawley v Forest Green, Ebbsfleet v Leyton Orient, Peterhead v Stenhousemuir.

Best weekend away bets: Luton, Wycombe, Notts County, Sutton, Alloa, Stirling.

Best weekend home bets: Doncaster, Scunthorpe, Coventry, Crewe, Exeter, Swindon, Dover, Tranmere, Berwick, Montrose.


Pick of the draws: Blackpool play Portsmouth, two off-form League One teams trying to recover from being knocked out of the FA Cup by lower division sides. Neither inspire much confidence at the moment and I predict deadlock here. Wigan are strong favourites for promotion to the Championship but Rochdale, on their day, are well capable of checking their charge. Crawley's home record in League Two (six defeats from eight games) is deplorable but they should get something from the visit of Forest Green, who are just below them in the table. Although Leyton Orient can't buy a win in the National League, they travel to Ebbsfleet with some optimism. Ebbsfleet's morale may have been damaged by that 6-2 home loss against Doncaster in the FA Cup first round last weekend. Stenhousemuir have lost only once on their travels in Scottish League Two, which should put them in good heart for their journey to Peterhead, who are one place above them.

Away days: Luton put their League Two blip against Coventry behind them by beating League One Portsmouth in the FA Cup. The Hatters go to Cheltenham, who were on the wrong end of an FA Cup upset against National League side Maidstone last Saturday and may take time to recover. Wycombe, lying seventh and with four League Two victories on the road this season, will fancy their chances at second-from-bottom Morecambe while leaders Notts County are recommended at Stevenage, who are on a downward spiral. National League promotion contenders Sutton will be banking on three points at bottom club Solihull and Alloa, in Scottish League One, will hope to take advantage of Albion's terrible home form. Stirling's flawless away record in Scottish League Two (five wins out of five) looks set to continue at struggling Clyde.

Homes sweet homes: Darren Ferguson's Doncaster are better than their position in League One suggests and scoring six away from home in the FA Cup last weekend won't do them any harm. They are worth a punt against higher-placed Rotherham, who are bad travellers. Crewe have recently defeated League Two leaders Notts County and League One Rotherham at Gresty Road, so a visit from promoted Lincoln ought to hold no fears, although Lincoln are enjoying a better season. Tranmere, mid-table in the National League, took League One Peterborough to an FA Cup replay last weekend. I believe they'll build on that with victory over Dagenham & Redbridge, despite the visitors occupying one of the play-off positions.



Pools info: Newport v Port Vale (match No 21 on coupon) is being played on Friday and is therefore void. Blackburn v Walsall (2), Shrewsbury v Charlton (10) and Southend v Oldham (11) have been postponed and will be judged by the pools panel.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of November 4-5

Ten draws: Huddersfield v West Bromwich Albion, Southampton v Burnley, Swansea v Brighton, Ipswich v Preston, Ross v Motherwell, Livingston v Inverness, Morton v Queen of South, Arbroath v Ayr, Elgin v Peterhead, Celta Vigo v Athletic Bilbao.

Best draws: Southampton v Burnley, Swansea v Brighton, Ipswich v Preston, Ross v Motherwell, Elgin v Peterhead.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Liverpool, Queens Park Rangers, Aberdeen, Stirling, Scunthorpe.

Best weekend home bets: Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Derby, Middlesbrough, Hibernian, Rangers, Brechin, Dundee United, Plymouth.


Pick of the draws: In complete contrast to last season, Burnley have hardly put a foot wrong away from home. They've won at Premier League champions Chelsea and drawn at Tottenham, so they won't feel apprehensive about a trip to mid-table Southampton. Swansea's poor home form has put them dangerously near the relegation zone and I can't see them beating Brighton, who have adjusted well to life in a higher division. Ipswich and Preston had disappointing midweek results in the Championship and are losing touch with the division's front-runners. Ipswich have yet to draw this season but I think they'll end that sequence on Saturday. Motherwell's good run in the Scottish Premiership was ended by Hibernian last weekend. The Well travel to Ross on Saturday and the hosts showed grit when losing narrowly away to high-flying Aberdeen. Peterhead's fine away record has kept them in the chase for the Scottish League Two title and it should benefit them at Elgin.

Away days: All is not well at Chelsea. Indifferent results and stories of player unrest have done nothing to lift the pessimistic mood at Stamford Bridge and Manchester United, their visitors on Sunday, can cash in. United appear to be Manchester City's only challengers for the Premier League title and nobody is better than Mourinho at grinding out results. Liverpool's 3-0 home victory over Huddersfield last weekend came in the nick of time for under-fire manager Jurgen Klopp. By the end of the match his team were playing with a bit of swagger, which doesn't bode well for their lowly hosts West Ham. Queens Park Rangers have defeated Championship high-flyers Wolves and Sheffield United in the past week. I'm taking them to make it a hat-trick at Nottingham Forest and win away for the first time this season. Aberdeen, second in the Scottish Premiership, should have the measure of Hamilton and League Two leaders Stirling are a confident selection at Edinburgh City. League One Scunthorpe are showing signs of getting back in the groove and I'm backing them to win at struggling Northampton in the FA Cup first round.

Homes sweet homes: Managerless Everton, in the Premier League drop zone, deserved better than to lose their League Cup tie at Chelsea last week and I've a feeling they'll raise their game against Watford at Goodison Park on Sunday. Watford seem to have lost their way since making disparaging comments about Arsenal and look there for the taking. Brechin, bottom of the Scottish Championship and without a win from 11 matches, gave Livingston a good game last Saturday and have a fine opportunity to get off the mark against Dumbarton, who are mediocre. Dundee United moved back into promotion contention with a 2-0 away success at Dumbarton last Saturday and they are worth a punt against leaders St Mirren.


Pools info: Wolves v Fulham (No 21 on coupon) and Real Betis v Getafe (47) are being played on Friday and are therefore void.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 28-29

Ten draws: Bournemouth v Chelsea, Burton v Ipswich, Hull v Nottingham Forest, Bristol Rovers v MK Dons, Bury v Doncaster, Fleetwood v Oxford, Portsmouth v Bradford City, Wigan v Blackburn, Colchester v Crewe, Boreham Wood v Bromley.

Best draws: Bournemouth v Chelsea, Burton v Ipswich, Fleetwood v Oxford, Portsmouth v Bradford City, Boreham Wood v Bromley.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, Aston Villa, Wolves, Carlisle, Aldershot, Dunfermline.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Cardiff, Fulham, Preston, Charlton, Peterborough, Plymouth, Accrington, Port Vale, Woking.


Pick of the draws: Chelsea were far from convincing when beating Watford at Stamford Bridge last Saturday and it wouldn't surprise me if they dropped points at Bournemouth, who eased their relegation worries by winning at Stoke last weekend and defeating Middlesbrough in the League Cup in midweek. Burton, are third from bottom and with the worst goal difference (-19) of any team in the Championship. Yet they could get something from the visit of Ipswich, who, after a great start to the season, have slumped to 10th in the table and were beaten by their bitter rivals Norwich at Portman Road last Sunday. Fleetwood are not quite the League One force they were last season and they may not get the better of Oxford, who lie just outside the play-off places. Portsmouth will be anxious to recover from two successive away defeats but third-placed Bradford City are expected to provide tough opposition and are particularly strong away from home. Only one place separates Boreham Wood from Bromley in the upper reaches of the National League and deadlock is the likeliest outcome.

Away days: Manchester City, five points clear at the top of the Premier League and scoring for fun, look an away banker at West Bromwich Albion, who have notched only seven goals so far and are slipping towards the relegation zone. Aston Villa's early-season problems in the Championship appear to be in the past. They have climbed into the play-off positions and I'm backing them to beat their struggling neighbours Birmingham at St Andrew's on Sunday. Leaders Wolves are on a roll and their momentum will surge with maximum points at Queens Park Rangers. League Two Carlisle already have four away wins to their credit and they will be disappointed not to make it five at Chesterfield, who are in danger of being cast adrift at the bottom. Aldershot are a confident selection at Barrow, who have sunk into the National League relegation zone while Dunfermline, second in the Scottish Championship, should return with three points from Inverness.

Homes sweet homes: It's no more than a hunch that I'm going for mid-table Peterborough to end the unbeaten run of League One leaders Shrewsbury on Saturday. Although Shrewsbury's astonishing rise has been the success story of the season, this remarkable sequence has to end sometime and the Posh are capable of beating most sides on their day. Beleaguered Plymouth were mightily relieved to win at Wimbledon last weekend and three more points against inconsistent Rochdale are well within their reach. Port Vale's three consecutive victories under new manager Neil Aspin have seen them move away from the League Two drop zone and they won't fear the visit of higher-placed Swindon.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 21-22

Ten draws: Everton v Arsenal, Stoke v Bournemouth, Ipswich v Norwich, Millwall v Birmingham, Blackpool v Wigan, MK Dons v Oldham, Scunthorpe v Peterborough, Morecambe v Grimsby, Swindon v Wycombe, Dagenham & Redbridge v Wrexham.

Best draws: Everton v Arsenal, Stoke v Bournemouth, Ipswich v Norwich, Millwall v Birmingham, Swindon v Wycombe.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Hull, Lincoln, Luton, Tranmere, Ayr.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Swansea, Derby, Middlesbrough, Wolves, Doncaster, Coventry, Stevenage, Dover, Rangers.


Pick of the draws: Everton, sitting just above the Premier League relegation zone, have been one of the biggest disappointments of the season so far. However, Arsenal, their opponents at Goodison Park on Sunday, are especially brittle away from home and a draw between two mediocre sides seems the likeliest outcome. Bournemouth, second from bottom, have lost all four of their away games in the league but I fancy them to get something from their visit to Stoke, who are on the slide. Ipswich have been overtaken by fierce rivals Norwich in the Championship and the two meet at Portman Road on Sunday. Norwich are in undeniably better form and can come away with a point. I expect Birmingham to climb the table after the appointment of Steve Cotterill as manager. They had a morale-boosting home win over promotion contenders Cardiff last Friday and they can hold Millwall at the New Den. Wycombe maintained their unbeaten away record in League Two with a thrilling 3-3 draw at Carlisle in midweek and I believe that run will continue at Swindon.

Away days: Manchester United, second in the Premier League and undefeated, are highly recommended at Huddersfield, where the goals have dried up after a bright start to the season. Hull's 10 men were unlucky to concede a late equaliser at Norwich in the Championship last Saturday and I think they'll take their frustration out on Barnsley. Promoted Lincoln are on the cusp of the League Two play-off places following their fine 1-0 win at Swindon in midweek. What they did to Swindon they can do to mid-table hosts Cheltenham. New leaders Luton, 11 goals in their past two matches, must be backed at Crawley, who are hopeless at home, and in the National League the underachieving Tranmere can surprise Aldershot. Ayr, second in Scottish League One, ought to make short work of bottom club Forfar.

Homes sweet homes: Swansea gained their first home victory in the Premier League by beating Huddersfield 2-0 last weekend. I believe they'll follow that up with a further three points against Leicester, whose poor start to the season has left them in the drop zone and without a manager. Derby's 2-0 defeat of their fierce rivals Nottingham Forest in the Championship last Sunday will have improved their mood considerably and I'm taking them to beat Sheffield Wednesday, who may struggle to recover from going down 2-1 to bottom club Bolton. Although Middlesbrough have been a bit of a letdown, they are capable of beating anybody in this division and I've a feeling they'll put high-flying Cardiff to the sword. Doncaster's home record in League One is nothing special but they should have enough in the tank to see off Walsall.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 14-15

Ten draws: Burnley v West Ham, Norwich v Hull, Wolves v Aston Villa, Bristol Rovers v Oxford, Northampton v Wimbledon, Oldham v Blackburn, Forest Green v Newport, Port Vale v Cheltenham, Yeovil v Crewe, Ross v Hearts.

Best draws: Norwich v Hull, Wolves v Aston Villa, Bristol Rovers v Oxford, Oldham v Blackburn, Forest Green v Newport.

Best weekend away bets: Chelsea, Arsenal, Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford City, Coventry, St Mirren.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Swansea, Tottenham, Brentford, Leeds, Fleetwood, Peterborough, Wigan, Luton, Partick.


Pick of the draws: By thrashing Birmingham 6-1 at home in the Championship two weeks ago, Hull, unimpressive before then, may have turned a corner. A repeat of that display should be good enough to earn them a point at Norwich, who have had some good results themselves recently. Although Wolves are in one of the two automatic promotion slots, they face a resurgent Aston Villa side at Molineux and could be denied a home victory. Bristol Rovers have yet to draw in League One this season but that could end on Saturday when they entertain Oxford. Both teams are in fine form and were convincing winners last weekend - Rovers 6-0 at Northampton, Oxford 3-0 at home to Wimbledon. There's every chance they could cancel each other out. A few weeks ago Oldham v Blackburn would have looked an away banker but Oldham's improvement under caretaker manager Richie Wellens has been astonishing. They have moved clear of the relegation zone and look set to continue their rise. League newcomers Forest Green climbed out of the League Two relegation zone with a well merited point at high-flyers Notts County last Saturday. They won't find things easy against in-form Newport but I believe they'll collect another point.

Away days: Chelsea have a perfect Premier League record away from home and I can't see that changing when they visit Crystal Palace, whose plight - bottom of the table with no points or goals -becomes more desperate by the week. Even the fixture list seems to be conspiring against Palace. Watford are not Arsenal's favourite opponents but the north Londoners have recovered well from that 4-0 mauling at Anfield in August and, lying fifth, now have as many points as Chelsea. They will be looking for three more at Vicarage Road. Sheffield Wednesday gave a statement of intent by beating Leeds 3-0 at Hillsborough just before the international break. That result should serve them well at the Championship's bottom club Bolton, who have the worst record of anybody in the Football League. League One promotion contenders Bradford City are away day specialists with four wins and two draws from six matches on the road. They are a confident bet at Bury, who appear to be in for a long hard winter. Coventry's parsimonious defence - only six goals conceded from 12 League Two fixtures - may be the decisive factor in their visit to Accrington. In the Scottish Championship I predict leaders St Mirren will recover from last weekend's surprising home defeat by Raith in the Irn-Bru Cup by defeating Dumbarton.

Homes sweet homes: Swansea have lost all three of their Premier League home games but I've a hunch they'll end that hoodoo against Huddersfield, who seem to have hit a wall after their whirlwind start to the season and are struggling to score. Brentford, 19th in the Championship, have played better than their results suggest, which is why I believe they'll beat mid-table London rivals Millwall and register their first home win of the campaign. In the Scottish Premiership I'm taking home advantage to count when Partick, second from bottom, host fellow strugglers Kilmarnock, who prop up the rest.


Pools info: Birmingham v Cardiff (match No 10 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.