Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 17-18

Ten draws: Chelsea v Leicester, Blackburn v Middlesbrough, Luton v West Brom, Stoke v Derby, Doncaster v Fleetwood, Peterborough v Ipswich, Sunderland v Portsmouth, Carlisle v Mansfield, Northampton v Macclesfield, Forfar v East Fife.

Best draws: Chelsea v Leicester, Stoke v Derby, Peterborough v Ipswich, Sunderland v Portsmouth, Northampton v Macclesfield.

Six aways: Liverpool, Cardiff, Leeds, Cheltenham, Crawley, Raith.

Ten homes: Arsenal, Norwich, Sheffield United, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Blackpool, Lincoln, Bradford City, Newport, Falkirk.

Pick of the draws: Chelsea did not deserve such a mauling at Manchester United last weekend but the size of the defeat (4-0) will have shaken them and that could help Leicester at Stamford Bridge this Sunday, especially as the Midlanders are no mugs themselves. Stoke, with no points from their first two Championship matches, are badly in need of a lift. Winning at Wigan in the midweek League Cup won't have done them any harm and I think they'll gain their first point of the season at Derby's expense. Peterborough are another side with zero return from their opening two games but I suspect they are in a false position in League One and can hold relegated Ipswich. Sunderland were hoping for more than two draws so far but I predict a third consecutive stalemate against Portsmouth, who will be one of their chief rivals for promotion. There are signs that Macclesfield, in League Two, will be a sterner proposition this season. Their 3-0 home victory over Leyton Orient last Saturday was well deserved and they can get something at Northampton.

Away days: Liverpool are hard to ignore at Southampton, who crashed to a 3-0 opening-day defeat at Burnley. The midweek trip to Istanbul for the Super Cup may blunt some of Liverpool's sharpness but they should still have enough in hand at St Mary's. Cardiff, who are aiming for a quick return to the Premier League, must be fancied at Reading, who are joint-bottom of the Championship. Leeds, who may be more effective on their travels than at Elland Road, should be confident going to Wigan. In League Two, Cheltenham, who scored three goals in seven minutes in their 4-1 win over Scunthorpe last Saturday, are worth a wager at Morecambe, while Crawley, with two successive victories (league and League Cup) behind them, are recommended at bottom club Scunthorpe. Raith, the early leaders in Scottish League One, will surely be too strong for Stranraer.

Homes sweet homes: Although beaten 4-1 at Anfield last Friday, promoted Norwich showed enough to suggest that they can survive in the Premier League. They shouldn't have much to fear from the visit of Newcastle, who seem destined for a season of struggle. Another promoted team, Sheffield United, gained a well merited draw at Bournemouth and can follow up by defeating Crystal Palace, who failed to take advantage of 10-man Everton last weekend. I expect Newport to be in the League Two promotion shake-up for the second season in a row and they are worth a punt against leaders Plymouth, who have maximum points from their first two matches.

Pools info: Wolves v Manchester United (No 10 on coupon) and Bury v Gillingham (26) will be judged by the pools panel. Huddersfield v Fulham (15) is void.

Five of my forecast draws were correct last weekend: Birmingham v Bristol City (1-1), Bristol Rovers v Wycombe (0-0), Ipswich v Sunderland (1-1), Rochdale v Doncaster (1-1) and Hearts v Ross (0-0).

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 10-11

Ten draws: Burnley v Southampton, Birmingham v Bristol City, Hull v Reading, Bristol Rovers v Wycombe, Ipswich v Sunderland, MK Dons v Shrewsbury, Rochdale v Doncaster, Macclesfield v Leyton Orient, Stevenage v Exeter, Hearts v Ross.

Best draws: Burnley v Southampton, Birmingham v Bristol City, Ipswich v Sunderland, MK Dons v Shrewsbury, Macclesfield v Leyton Orient.

Six aways: Wolves, Coventry, Blackpool, Newport, Salford, Kilmarnock.

Ten homes: Bournemouth, Manchester United, Leeds, West Bromwich, Fleetwood, Portsmouth, Cheltenham, Mansfield, Plymouth, Rangers.

Pick of the draws: Burnley and Southampton struggled in the Premier League last season. I can't see much changing this time around, so expect a stalemate at Turf Moor on Saturday. Bristol City fell to a disappointing home defeat by Leeds in their first match of the season but they are better than they showed last Sunday and can come away from Birmingham with a point. A home draw against Oxford was not what Sunderland wanted in their opening League One fixture but I believe they'll make amends at relegated Ipswich. In beating Portsmouth 1-0, Shrewsbury had one of the best results last weekend and they are well capable of avoiding defeat at MK Dons, who have yet to play. A much-changed Macclesfield will probably have a less fraught campaign in League Two and I think they'll hold promoted Leyton Orient.

Away days: It may be worth having a punt on Wolves at Leicester, who are likely to miss defender Harry Maguire now he has been sold to Manchester United. Coventry are highly recommended at Bolton, who begin their League One season with a 12-point deduction and must be at their wit's end. Blackpool's prospects are much brighter now they are free of their unpopular owner and they look good for three points at Southend. I expect Newport to be in the League Two promotion shake-up again and they should be confident of success at Cambridge. Salford started life in the Football League with a convincing 2-0 win over Stevenage and they can follow that with another victory at Crawley. In the Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock are fancied to prevail at Hamilton, who crashed 3-0 at promoted Ross last Saturday.

Homes sweet homes: Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe seems to have made some astute signings in the close season and I'm backing them to make their mark against promoted Sheffield United. The vibes coming out of Old Trafford are more positive these days and I've a hunch that Manchester United will get the better of Frank Lampard's Chelsea on Sunday. Although Cheltenham lost their League Two opener at Leyton Orient last weekend, they showed lots of resolve and that should stand them in good stead against Scunthorpe, who were defeated 2-0 at home by Swindon.

Pools info: Accrington v Bury (No 21 on the coupon) has been postponed and will be judged by the pools panel.

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

Ten draws: Bristol City v Leeds, Stoke v Queens Park Rangers, Wimbledon v Rotherham, Burton v Ipswich, Coventry v Southend, Forest Green v Oldham, Scunthorpe v Swindon, Aberdeen v Hearts, Ross v Hamilton, Clyde v East Fife.

Best draws: Bristol City v Leeds, Stoke v Queens Park Rangers, Burton v Ipswich, Coventry v Southend, Aberdeen v Hearts.

Six aways: Fulham, Cardiff, Portsmouth, Mansfield, Rangers, Manchester City.

Ten homes: Brentford, Peterborough, Sunderland, Bradford City, Carlisle, Colchester, Leyton Orient, Celtic, Chesterfield, Torquay.

Pick of the draws: Leeds, frustrated by their failure to gain promotion to the Premier League last season, will be determined to make amends this time but they could have had an easier opening game than at Bristol City on Sunday. City are one of the Championship's better teams and capable of collecting a point. The serious injury to their captain Ryan Shawcross in a friendly last weekend will probably play on Stoke's mind and allow Queens Park Rangers, now managed by Mark Warburton, to escape with a share of the spoils. Ipswich, relegated to League One, will be anxious to halt their slide but Burton have a habit of upsetting more fancied sides and could do the same on Saturday. Coventry are handicapped by having to play all their home matches at Birmingham's ground and Southend may be the first to take advantage. Hearts finished last season on a downer but, refreshed by the summer break, have a decent chance of holding Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

Away days: Fulham, second favourites to be promoted from the Championship after their relegation last season, will expect to beat Barnsley, who are newcomers to this division. Cardiff, who came down with Fulham, have retained the services of manager Neil Warnock and will travel to Wigan with high hopes. Portsmouth, who just missed out on promotion to the Championship, will want to make a good start to this season and should do so at Shrewsbury. Mansfield, in League Two, will be kicking themselves for failing to go up last season and I believe they'll prevail at Newport. Rangers aim to push Celtic all the way in the Scottish Premiership and are fancied to take maximum points at Kilmarnock. Liverpool haven't had the best of pre-seasons and I can't see Manchester City, the Premier League champions, showing them any mercy in Sunday's Community Shield.

Homes sweet homes: Brentford, of the Championship, are consistently underrated and have made some good signings in the close season. I think they'll have too much for Birmingham, who have been unsettled by the departure of manager Garry Monk. Leyton Orient, National League champions last season, make a welcome return to League Two and are well worth a punt against Cheltenham. Torquay, promoted to the National League, are also recommended against Boreham Wood, who are expected to be among the strugglers this season.

Pools info: Huddersfield v Derby (No 5 on coupon) and Bury v MK Dons (15) will be judged by the pools panel. Dunfermline v Dundee (45) is void.

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

Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Bournemouth, Leicester v Chelsea, Tottenham v Everton, Villarreal v Eibar, Cagliari v Lazio, Roma v Juventus, Hoffenheim v Werder Bremen, Amiens v Toulouse, Caen v Reims, Marseille v Lyon.

Best draws: Crystal Palace v Bournemouth, Leicester v Chelsea, Tottenham v Everton, Cagliari v Lazio, Roma v Juventus.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, West Ham, Charlton, Motherwell, Napoli, Freiburg.

Best weekend home bets: Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Southampton, Aston Villa, Kilmarnock, Livingston, Inverness, Mansfield, Real Betis.

Pick of the draws: Crystal Palace (12th) and Bournemouth (13th) are next to each other in the table and I don't believe they'll be anything to separate them on Sunday on the final weekend of the Premier League season. Both sides have flaws but both are capable of beating the best on their day. Chelsea guaranteed Champions League football next season with a 3-0 home win over Watford last Sunday but they face stiffer opposition in Leicester, who are playing well under Brendan Rodgers and gave leaders Manchester City such a fright on Monday. Tottenham need only a point to be mathematically certain of clinching a Champions League spot and should get it against Everton, despite the marked improvement of the Merseysiders. Mid-table Cagliari only lost in the last minute away to Napoli last weekend and they can take a point off the better-placed Lazio. Juventus have won the Italian League by a street, so they may take their foot off the pedal against highly rated Roma.

Away days: I'm taking Manchester City to win the most thrilling Premier League title race for years and maximum points at Brighton on Sunday will seal it. Although Brighton deserved their draw at Arsenal last weekend, I cannot see City slipping up at the final hurdle. West Ham have done much better recently and are recommended at Watford, who will probably be distracted by their participation in next week's FA Cup final. I fancy Charlton, the form team of League One, to win the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Doncaster and in the Scottish Premiership, Motherwell are worth a wager at St Johnstone, who are erratic. Napoli, the Italian League runners-up, look a good thing at SPAL, as do Freiburg at bottom club Hannover 96 in the German League.

Homes sweet homes: Relegated Fulham have won three of their past four Premier League games. I think they'll make it four out of five when Newcastle are the visitors to Craven Cottage on Sunday. Unfortunately, Fulham are finding their best form when it's too late to matter. Aston Villa are confident they will take the other promotion place after Norwich and Sheffield United and I'm backing them to beat rivals West Bromwich Albion in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Saturday. Mansfield's hopes of automatic promotion from League Two were dashed by three consecutive defeats. They'll probably take their frustration out on Newport in the second leg of their play-off semi-final on Sunday.

Pools info: St Etienne v Montpellier (No 49 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.

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

Ten draws: Blackburn v Swansea, Brentford v Preston, Reading v Birmingham, Bristol Rovers v Barnsley, Wycombe v Fleetwood, Crawley v Tranmere, Forest Green v Exeter, MK Dons v Mansfield, Swindon v Notts County, Inverness v Dunfermline.

Best draws: Blackburn v Swansea, Reading v Birmingham, Wycombe v Fleetwood, Crawley v Tranmere, Swindon v Notts County.

Best weekend away bets: Leeds, Sheffield United, Wimbledon, Crewe, Newport, Carlisle.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth, Bury, Lincoln, Ayr, Elgin.

Pick of the draws: Blackburn's winning streak in the Championship was ended by Norwich last Saturday evening and they face another in-form side in Swansea this weekend. Although Swansea are not great on their travels I expect them to gain a point here. Reading will be in a happier frame of mind now that they've avoided relegation and they can end their troubled campaign by sharing the spoils with Birmingham. Wycombe need a point to be certain of staying in League One and I believe they'll get it against Joey Barton's Fleetwood. Tranmere's chance of automatic promotion to League One has almost gone and their visit to lowly Crawley will feel a bit of an anti-climax. Notts County need maximum points on the final day of the League Two season to have any hope of staying up but I think they'll fall short at Swindon, who are as up and down as a yo-yo.

Away days: Leeds, frustrated by their failure to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League, will surely take their disappointment out on rock-bottom Ipswich. In stark contrast, Sheffield United will probably celebrate their return to the top flight by winning at Stoke. Wimbledon, still not safe from the League One drop, will strive for three points at relegated Bradford City. Crewe, who have won their past four matches in League Two, are fancied to make it five at Grimsby, who are ending the season with a whimper. Newport, who have moved into the League Two play-off places, are highly recommended at Morecambe, as are Carlisle, who visit Yeovil, whose relegation was confirmed last weekend.

Homes sweet homes: Tottenham's minds are bound to be on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Ajax, which gives Bournemouth an opportunity to end their mixed Premier League campaign on a positive note. Anything less than victory for Cardiff on Saturday will surely see them relegated but I've a hunch they'll rise to the occasion and beat Crystal Palace. Whoever comes off second best in the Plymouth-Scunthorpe fixture will see them relegated to League Two. I fancy Plymouth, with ground advantage, to survive.

Pools info: Everton v Burnley (No 5 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void. Manchester City v Leicester (7) has been switched to Monday and will be assessed by the pools panel.