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

Ten draws: Burnley v Norwich, West Ham v Manchester United, Birmingham v Preston, Bristol City v Swansea, Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham, Wigan v Charlton, Accrington v Blackpool, Newport v Exeter, Northampton v Crawley, St Mirren v Hamilton.

Best draws: Burnley v Norwich, West Ham v Manchester United, Bristol City v Swansea, Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham, Newport v Exeter.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Blackburn, Bristol Rovers, Sunderland, Ayr, Raith, Yeovil.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Leicester, Brentford, Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Fleetwood, MK Dons, Crewe, Grimsby, Hibernian.

Pick of the draws: Norwich sprung one of the surprises of the season so far by beating Premier League champions Manchester City 3-2 at home last Saturday. The victory was as deserved as it was unexpected and I believe they'll gain their first away point at Burnley on Saturday. Although Manchester United lie fourth, they haven't been convincing and will be hard-pushed to prevail at West Ham, who must be pleased with their progress. Beaten 1-0 at home by Nottingham Forest last weekend, Swansea have lost top spot in the Championship and their powers of recovery should be tested at Bristol City, who are among the early front-runners. Garry Monk's first match as Sheffield Wednesday manager ended in a 2-0 victory at struggling Huddersfield last Sunday but Fulham, their visitors, are surely made of sterner stuff. Unbeaten Exeter are the clear leaders in League Two and well capable of holding fellow promotion contenders Newport to a draw.

Away days: Blackburn seem back on course after a dodgy start to their Championship campaign and will be hopeful of coming away from Reading with three points. Bristol Rovers, who beat Lincoln
1-0 away last Saturday, face seemingly weaker opposition in Wimbledon, who are in League One's bottom three and without a win this campaign. Sunderland, in the race for promotion, look an away banker at Bolton, who, with a 12-point deduction, appear destined for the drop. I expect Ayr, second in the Scottish Championship, to strengthen their position after travelling to lowly Alloa while
free-scoring Raith, 4-0 home winners over Peterhead last weekend, are recommended at Airdrieonians. Yeovil, climbing rapidly in the National League, are the form tip at Fylde.

Homes sweet homes: Ambitious Leicester have their sights on a place in the Premier League's top four and Tottenham's visit in the early Saturday fixture will be a good test of their credentials. Leicester, who lost narrowly at Old Trafford last Saturday, won't want two disappointments in a row and I've a hunch they'll take maximum points against Spurs. Cardiff (14th) sit just below Middlesbrough (13th) in the Championship table but I'm tipping Neil Warnock's players to come out on top when the sides meet in Wales on Saturday. Neither of the Edinburgh teams in the Scottish Premiership is doing well so far but Hibernian's plight (4pts) isn't as serious as that of Hearts (2) who find themselves bottom after five games. Expect Hibs to increase their misery.


Betting info: Five of my six aways were correct last weekend. They were: Leeds (2-0), Bristol City
(2-1), Sunderland (3-1), Bradford City (1-0) and Cove Rangers (4-2).

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

Ten draws: Manchester United v Leicester, Wolves v Chelsea, Fulham v West Brom, Preston v Brentford, Gillingham v Wycombe, Lincoln v Bristol Rovers, Oxford v Tranmere, Crawley v Mansfield, Port Vale v Plymouth, Scunthorpe v Morecambe.

Best draws: Manchester United v Leicester, Fulham v West Brom, Gillingham v Wycombe, Crawley v Mansfield, Port Vale v Plymouth.

Six aways: Arsenal, Leeds, Sunderland, Cheltenham, Bradford City, Cove Rangers.

Ten homes: Liverpool, Sheffield United, Charlton, Huddersfield, Middlesbrough, Swansea, Ipswich, Crewe, Forest Green, Swindon.

Pick of the draws: With four games played in the Premier League, Leicester look a reasonable bet to finish higher than Manchester United. They visit Old Trafford on Saturday and look good for at least a point. West Brom, unbeaten away in six Championship matches, won't be fazed by a trip to Fulham, even though the west Londoners are scintillating at their best. To see Wycombe top of League One is one of the most surprising things about the season so far, not that it isn't well deserved. However, Gillingham, on their day, are capable of upsetting anybody and I fancy them to gain a point. Mansfield's under-performance in League Two has been unexpected. They are better than they have shown and I'm taking them to hold Crawley. Early front-runners Plymouth slipped up at home to Oldham last weekend and I won't be surprised if they drop another couple of points at Port Vale, who are miserly at home.

Away days: Although Watford, bottom of the Premier League, have changed their manager, I don't think it will be enough to avoid defeat against Arsenal, who sit just below the Champions League qualifying places. Leeds have maximum points on their Championship travels and I'm tipping them to win at Barnsley, who are at the other end of the table. Sunderland are lower in League One than they would like but they can put that right by beating Accrington. Cheltenham, who have moved into the League Two play-off positions, are well worth a punt at newcomers Salford while Bradford City are predicted to inflict more pain on struggling Walsall. Cove Rangers, who lead Scottish League Two, have an excellent chance of further progress when they visit lowly Brechin.

Homes sweet homes: Sheffield United produced a stirring comeback to draw 2-2 at Chelsea two weeks ago, so they should be able to defeat Southampton, who have so far failed to shine. Huddersfield play Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship and both teams have new managers (Danny Cowley for Huddersfield, Garry Monk for Wednesday). I've a feeling Cowley will win this particular battle and Huddersfield will record their first victory of the season. Middlesbrough have yet to hit their stride, so they will be eager to climb the table at the expense of Reading, their visitors.

Pools info: Bury v Portsmouth (No 25 on coupon) is void. Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Tranmere v Gillingham (2-2), Morecambe v Salford (2-2) and Hartlepool v Woking
(1-1).

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 7-8

Ten draws: Tranmere v Gillingham, Wycombe v Lincoln, Leyton Orient v Swindon, Macclesfield v Crawley, Morecambe v Salford, Aldershot v Barrow, Hartlepool v Woking, Altrincham v Leamington, Armenia v Bosnia-Hertzegovina, Serbia v Portugal.

Best draws: Tranmere v Gillingham, Wycombe v Lincoln, Morecambe v Salford, Aldershot v Barrow, Hartlepool v Woking.

Six aways: Blackpool, Forest Green, Exeter, Dover, Stockport, Eastleigh.

Ten homes: Fleetwood, Colchester, Mansfield, Newport, Plymouth, Bromley, Halifax, Maidenhead, England, Iceland.

Pick of the draws: Gillingham won their first League One fixture of the season last Saturday by thrashing Bolton 5-0 at home. That result should give them the confidence to gain a point at Tranmere, who are struggling to adapt to a higher division. Lincoln, who are second in League One, are aiming for three consecutive promotions and returned to winning ways against Fleetwood last weekend. I fancy them to get something at high-flying Wycombe, despite the Buckinghamshire club's 100% home record. Although Salford, in League Two, have gone off the boil after an encouraging start to the season, they won't fear a trip to Morecambe, who are terribly vulnerable at home. The meeting between Aldershot and Barrow, two sides near the foot of the National League, suggests deadlock while Hartlepool, after two consecutive away victories, could deny second-placed Woking.

Away days: Blackpool, unbeaten after six matches in League One, are worth a wager at Coventry, especially as the game is being played at Birmingham's St Andrew's ground. I believe that Forest Green's 2-0 home loss against Newport last Saturday was only a temporary setback and I'm backing them to win their League Two clash at Cambridge. Leaders Exeter have a very long journey to Carlisle but I'm tipping them to return home with three points. In the National League, Dover are recommended at Boreham Wood, mainly because the hosts are so poor at home, and fast-improving Stockport should see off bottom club Chorley. Eastleigh will be confident of defeating Ebbsfleet, who seem destined for a relegation struggle.

Homes sweet homes: Colchester, boosted by two wins in a row in League Two, are fancied to make it a hat-trick against lowly Walsall. Halifax are the surprise leaders of the National League and have high hopes of maintaining their perfect home record when relegated Yeovil come visiting. Although Maidenhead's high position owes much to their away form, I'm tipping them to do the business at home against Dagenham & Redbridge.

Pools info: Bolton v Bury (No 1 on coupon) is void. Portsmouth v Southend (6), Rochdale v Ipswich (7), Shrewsbury v Peterborough (8), Sunderland v Burton (9), Fylde v Barnet (29) and Solihull v Wrexham (33) will be judged by the pools panel.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Aug 31-Sept 1

Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa, Everton v Wolves, Birmingham v Stoke, Brentford v Derby, Blackpool v Portsmouth, Peterborough v Sunderland, Forest Green v Newport, Salford v Leyton Orient, Walsall v Grimsby, Rangers v Celtic.

Best draws: Everton v Wolves, Brentford v Derby, Blackpool v Portsmouth, Peterborough v Sunderland, Forest Green v Newport.

Best weekend bets: Six aways: Liverpool, Charlton, MK Dons, Wycombe, Plymouth, Notts County.

Best weekend bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, Leicester, West Ham, Bristol City, Luton, West Brom, Ipswich, Rotherham, Scunthorpe, Stevenage.


Pick of the draws: I feel Wolves' Premier League form has been hampered by having to play so many Europa League qualifying matches but they should still have enough in the tank to hold Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday. Neither Brentford nor Derby have set the Championship alight so far and there's a good chance they'll cancel each other out here. Although Portsmouth have made a stuttering start to their League One season, they are capable of nicking something at Blackpool, even though the Seasiders are second in the table. Sunderland are showing they mean business again but Peterborough, their hosts, had an excellent 4-0 win at MK Dons last weekend and can share the spoils. Forest Green will be League Two promotion contenders once more but Newport, who are just below them, have conceded only twice in five games and will be hard to break down.

Away days: It takes a brave man to bet against Liverpool these days and the Premier League leaders and European champions must start firm favourites at Burnley. Promoted Charlton have coped with the demands of the Championship better than expected and sit a proud third in the table. I fancy they will maintain the momentum at Reading, despite the Berkshire team's marked improvement. MK Dons bounced back from last weekend's dispiriting home defeat against Peterborough with a 4-1 triumph at Southend in the League Cup. That result should stand them in good stead at struggling Accrington. Wycombe, who are among the leading lights in League One, are recommended at Wimbledon and so are high-riding Plymouth at lowly Northampton in League Two. Notts County are on the rise in the National League and I believe they'll take maximum points at Yeovil.

Homes sweet homes: West Bromwich Albion, still awaiting their first home victory in the Championship, can get off the mark against shot-shy Blackburn. Although relegated Scunthorpe have slid to the bottom of League Two, I'll be surprised if they stay there. A home game against off-colour Carlisle is a good opportunity to climb the table. Just above Scunthorpe are Stevenage, who have two points but no goals from five matches. I've a hunch they will both score and win on Saturday when Macclesfield are the visitors.

Pools info: Bury v Doncaster (No 24 on coupon) will be judged by the pools panel.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 24-25

Ten draws: Watford v West Ham, Barnsley v Luton, Derby v West Brom, Huddersfield v Reading, Preston v Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster v Lincoln, Portsmouth v Rotherham, Shrewsbury v Burton, Grimsby v Port Vale, Leyton Orient v Crawley.

Best draws: Derby v West Brom, Huddersfield v Reading, Preston v Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth v Rotherham, Shrewsbury v Burton.

Six aways: Chelsea, Leicester, Bristol City, Blackpool, Exeter, Aberdeen.

Ten homes: Brighton, Manchester United, Tottenham, Charlton, Middlesbrough, Swansea, Coventry, Sunderland, Wycombe, Bradford City.

Pick of the draws: West Bromwich Albion have already won at Nottingham Forest and Luton in this season's Championship, so I'm confident they will at least avoid defeat at Derby. Reading's unexpected 3-0 home win over Cardiff last Sunday must have put a spring in their step, which is more than can be said for Huddersfield, who have struggled in the lower division since being relegated last season. Managerless Sheffield Wednesday are among the Championship front-runners and are well capable of gaining a point at Preston. Portsmouth's failure to beat nine-man Coventry at Fratton Park in midweek will have infuriated their manager Kenny Jackett and I can't see Rotherham, with two League One away victories under their belt, making it any easier for them. Shrewsbury and Burton, two unfashionable teams playing each other, enjoyed good away wins in midweek at Accrington and Oxford respectively and I cannot separate them.

Away days: Although Chelsea have fallen short for manager Frank Lampard so far, there is more to come from them and I think we'll see it when they travel to promoted Norwich on Saturday. Leicester should really have taken three points from Stamford Bridge last Sunday and I believe they'll make sure of a maximum return at Sheffield United. Bristol City are back on the winning track in the Championship, having defeated Queens Park Rangers (home) and Derby (away). The odds are shortening on their making it a hat-trick at Hull. Blackpool, the League One leaders, are looking strong at the moment and I can't see Rochdale knocking them out of their stride. Exeter, flying high in League Two, have conceded only once in four matches and are a decent bet to keep another clean sheet at Morecambe. In the Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen are tipped to prevail at bottom club Kilmarnock.

Homes sweet homes: Brighton, under new manager Graham Potter, have four points from two Premier League games, whereas Southampton have none. I've a hunch that gap will be wider after the teams meet at the Amex on Saturday. Middlesbrough gave new manager Jonathan Woodgate his first Championship victory when they beat Wigan at home in midweek and I'm taking them to follow that up when they host Millwall. The signs are looking more positive for Bradford City after two consecutive wins in League Two and they are worth backing against Forest Green, although the visitors don't give much away.


Pools info: Tranmere v Bury (No 32 on coupon) has been postponed and will be judged by the pools panel. Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Chelsea v Leicester, Stoke v Derby and Peterborough v Ipswich. I also got nine out of ten homes: Arsenal, Norwich, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, Blackpool, Lincoln, Bradford City, Newport and Falkirk.