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

Ten draws: Burnley v Brighton, Newcastle v West Ham, Barnsley v Coventry, Swansea v Sheffield United, Morecambe v Shrewsbury, Plymouth v Gillingham, Wigan v Rotherham, Bristol Rovers v Stevenage, Port Vale v Tranmere, Sutton v Salford.

Best draws: Burnley v Brighton, Newcastle v West Ham, Plymouth v Gillingham, Wigan v Rotherham, Sutton v Salford.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Liverpool, Aston Villa, Fulham, Sunderland, Forest Green, Aberdeen.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, Everton, Leicester, Middlesbrough, West Bromwich, Wimbledon, Burton, Sheffield Wednesday, Barrow, Swindon.

Pick of the draws: Burnley and Brighton were among the Premier League strugglers last season but managed to survive. I can see a similar outcome this campaign. I'll be surprised if West Ham match last season's position of sixth but they are more than capable of taking a point off Newcastle on Sunday. League One Plymouth made amends for a disappointing opening weekend by scoring four without reply at Peterborough in the League Cup on Tuesday. I suspect they won't find it quite as easy against Gillingham, who held high-flyers Lincoln to a 1-1 draw last Saturday. Rotherham's 2-0 margin of victory against Plymouth last Saturday sent them to the top of the League One table but hosts Wigan won't give much away. In League Two, Sutton's home fixture against Salford has been switched to the latter's ground as Sutton are having problems with their artificial surface. Despite this disadvantage I believe Sutton, who were unlucky to lose their first two matches, will earn a draw.

Away days: Liverpool are firm favourites to start the 2021-22 campaign with victory at promoted Norwich, who could scarcely have had a harder opening fixture. Aston Villa appear to have made some shrewd summer signings and will be optimistic about beating Watford, who have rejoined the top flight. Fulham, back in the Championship, should have had more than a point to show for their efforts at home to Middlesbrough last Sunday and I think they'll make Huddersfield pay. Sunderland, with two consecutive victories behind them, should make it three at MK Dons and in League Two, Forest Green are fancied at Walsall, who have yet to score. It's League Cup weekend in Scotland and Premiership club Aberdeen are recommended at Championship team Raith.

Homes sweet homes: Wimbledon to gain their third win in eight days when they host promoted Bolton. Wimbledon's previous victims were Doncaster (League One) and Charlton (League Cup), both away. Unfashionable Burton, of League One, don't fear anybody now, which is why I'm tipping them to defeat underperforming Ipswich. In League Two, Barrow look to have the edge over newcomers Hartlepool, who went down 1-0 at home to 10-man Crewe in the midweek League Cup. 

Pools info: Crawley v Harrogate (No.36 on coupon) has been postponed because of a Covid outbreak at Harrogate and the match will be assessed by the pools panel. Sutton v Salford (41) will be played at Salford's ground.

More pools info: I forecast the following five draws last weekend: Bristol City 1 Blackpool 1; Derby 1 Huddersfield 1; Gillingham 1 Lincoln 1; Carlisle 0 Colchester 0 and St Johnstone 1 Motherwell 1. Three of my five best draws were also correct: the matches at Bristol City, Derby and Gillingham.

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

Ten draws: Bristol City v Blackpool, Derby v Huddersfield, Doncaster v Wimbledon, Gillingham v Lincoln, Shrewsbury v Burton, Carlisle v Colchester, Hartlepool v Crawley, Scunthorpe v Swindon, St Johnstone v Motherwell, Dunfermline v Partick.

Best draws: Bristol City v Blackpool, Derby v Huddersfield, Gillingham v Lincoln, Shrewsbury v Burton, Hartlepool v Crawley.

Best weekend bets: Six aways: Manchester City, Oxford, Portsmouth, Newport, Hearts, Kilmarnock.

Best weekend bets: Ten homes: Fulham, Preston, Bolton, Ipswich, Sunderland, Wycombe, Forest Green, Mansfield, Hamilton, Dumbarton.

Pick of the draws: Blackpool, promoted via the play-offs to the Championship last season, will have more momentum than Bristol City, who ended the 2020-21 campaign on a downer. A point is the least the Seasiders can expect. Derby and Huddersfield, who meet on Saturday, were two of last season's underachievers and it's hard to be optimistic about their chances this time. Lincoln, of League One, who came so close to going up last season, have a tricky opening assignment at Gillingham, who on their day are a match for anybody. Manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink worked wonders to turn things around at Burton last season and he won't fear a trip to Shrewsbury. Hartlepool, happy to be returning to the Football League, can share the League Two spoils with Crawley.

Away days: I expect Premier League champions Manchester City to carry on where they left off last season by winning the Community Shield against Leicester on Saturday. With a bit of luck they may even have new signing Tony Grealish playing for them. Oxford, League One high-flyers, should prevail at newly promoted Cambridge and Portsmouth will fancy their chances of opening with a victory at Fleetwood. Lady Luck deserted Newport in last season's League Two play-off final against Morecambe and they appear to have a less taxing task at Oldham. Last Sunday's 2-1 home win over Celtic will have given promoted Hearts plenty of belief and could give them the edge over St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership. Relegated Kilmarnock, who began their Scottish Championship campaign by beating Ayr 2-0 at home on Monday, look good for another three points at Queen of the South.

Homes sweet homes: Bolton, newly promoted to League One, are well worth backing against Milton Keynes Dons, who are reeling from the loss of their manager, Russell Martin, to Swansea. Although relegated at the end, Wycombe did themselves proud in the Championship last season and their opening fixture back in League One should bring them maximum points against Accrington. Mansfield, of League Two, are confident of improving on last season's 16th placing and I'm tipping them to defeat Bristol Rovers, who finished bottom of League One in 2020-21. 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of May 22-23

Ten draws: Swansea v Barnsley, Sunderland v Lincoln, Forest Green v Newport, Altrincham v Yeovil, Chesterfield v Dagenham & Redbridge, Celta Vigo v Real Betis, Granada v Getafe, Atalanta v AC Milan, Cagliari v Genoa, Sassuolo v Lazio.

Best draws: Forest Green v Newport, Altrincham v Yeovil, Chesterfield v Dagenham & Redbridge, Atalanta v AC Milan, Sassuolo v Lazio.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Chelsea, Newcastle, Hibernian, Bromley, Halifax, Solihull.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Arsenal, Leeds, Leicester, Sheffield United, Morecambe, Eastleigh, Notts County, Stockport, Torquay, Wrexham.

Pick of the draws: Newport hold a 2-0 lead from their League Two semi-final play-off against Forest Green and because they are the side on form I can't see them relinquishing it in the second leg on Sunday. Neither Altrincham nor Yeovil have much to play for in the National League and I think that will be reflected in stalemate on Saturday. Fast-climbing Dagenham & Redbridge have drawn 1-1 at Stockport and beaten Halifax 3-0 in the past two weeks, so they have no reason to fear a trip to Chesterfield. Inter Milan may be runaway winners of the Italian League but Atalanta are in contention to finish runners-up. A point against high-flying AC Milan will improve their chances. Mid-table Sassuolo, who won 3-1 at Parma last weekend, can deny the better-placed Lazio victory.

Away days: Three points from their final Premier League fixture on Sunday will guarantee Chelsea Champions League football next season and they'll be confident of getting them at Aston Villa. Newcastle have improved markedly in recent weeks and are worth backing at Fulham, who are resigned to relegation. Hibernian look in better shape than St Johnstone for the Scottish Cup final on Saturday and I'm taking them to win in 90 minutes. Bromley, who are fighting hard to move into the National League play-off positions, are recommended at Aldershot and Halifax are expected to confirm their superiority over Maidenhead. Solihull are a confident selection at struggling Wealdstone.

Homes sweet homes: Nothing less than victory will do for FA Cup winners Leicester in their quest for Champions League qualification. Tottenham are on a downer after losing at home to Aston Villa in midweek and I feel that the presence of home supporters will lift Leicester. Sheffield United, who are doomed to relegation, surprised everybody when they won 1-0 at Everton with a spirited display last Sunday. I wouldn't put it past them to surprise Burnley either and I suggest they are worth a punt. Eastleigh seem to be timing their late run to perfection in the National League and another three points look there for the taking against Boreham Wood.

Pools info: Levante v Cadiz (No.26 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.

I scored five out of six aways last weekend with Manchester City, Liverpool, Hartlepool, Wrexham and Sutton.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of May 15-16

Ten draws: Burnley v Leeds, Tottenham v Wolves, Hamilton v Kilmarnock, St Mirren v Dundee United, Getafe v Levante, Villarreal v Sevilla, Juventus v Inter Milan, Roma v Lazio, Udinese v Sampdoria, Borussia Monchengladbach v Stuttgart.

Best draws: Burnley v Leeds, Tottenham v Wolves, St Mirren v Dundee United, Villarreal v Sevilla, Juventus v Inter Milan.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Manchester City (Friday), Liverpool, Celtic, Hartlepool, Wrexham, Sutton.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton, Motherwell, Rangers, Chesterfield, Dagenham & Redbridge, Eastleigh, Notts County, Solihull.

Pick of the draws: Leeds beat Tottenham convincingly at Elland Road last Saturday and look on course for a point at Burnley, who also had a good result, winning 2-0 at Fulham to send the London club down to the Championship. Tottenham's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League have almost vanished. As a result, they are by no means certain to defeat Wolves, who fought back from a goal behind to overcome Brighton at Molineux last Sunday. St Mirren and Dundee United, who play each other in the Scottish Premiership, may be unable to shake off the disappointment of losing the Scottish Cup semi-finals and a stalemate is predicted. Against expectations, Villarreal have reached the Europa League final but they will be tested  against Sevilla, who are two places higher at fourth in the Spanish League. Inter Milan, the Italian League champions, won't have things all their own way at Juventus, who lie fifth.

Away days: Manchester City were confirmed as Premier League champions in midweek and will surely celebrate the achievement by taking three points at Newcastle. Liverpool seem to have their mojo back and will be hot favourites at relegated West Brom on Sunday. Celtic were among the goals in the Scottish Premiership in midweek, beating St Johnstone 4-0 at home, and I can see them outscoring Hibernian on Saturday. Hartlepool are in National League promotion contention and worth backing at Aldershot. The same can be said for Wrexham, who travel to play Boreham Wood, and it's hard to see leaders Sutton slipping up at Maidenhead.

Homes sweet homes: Although Crystal Palace are unreliable at Selhurst Park, they may be worth a wager against Aston Villa, who seem to be ending the season with a whimper. Dagenham & Redbridge are bang in form in the National League and worth a shout against higher-placed Halifax. Notts County have clicked at just the right time to surge into the play-off positions and are tipped to get the better of Bromley.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of May 8-9

Ten draws: Aston Villa v Manchester United, Wolves v Brighton, Coventry v Millwall, Nottingham Forest v Preston, Queens Park Rangers v Luton, Watford v Swansea, Doncaster v Peterborough, Ipswich v Fleetwood, Crawley v Bolton, Halifax v Boreham Wood.

Best draws: Wolves v Brighton, Nottingham Forest v Preston, Watford v Swansea, Ipswich v Fleetwood, Crawley v Bolton.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Tottenham, Brentford, Forest Green, Newport, Eastleigh, Solihull.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Liverpool, West Ham, Derby, Middlesbrough, Reading, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Exeter, Morecambe, Tranmere.

Pick of the draws: Brighton virtually ensured their Premier League safety with a merited 2-0 home win over Leeds last Saturday and they seem on course for at least a point against Wolves, whose previous home match ended in a 4-0 defeat by Burnley. Preston, mid-table in the Championship, raised their game when they beat Barnsley 2-0 at home last weekend. If they play half as well on Saturday they will surely avoid defeat at Nottingham Forest, who are ending the season tamely. As Watford have already been promoted to the top flight, they may be distracted against Swansea, who will contest the Championship play-offs. Ipswich's lack of goal threat in League One keeps them vulnerable and gives Fleetwood a good chance of sharing the spoils. A win on Saturday will clinch Bolton's promotion to League One but they may be denied by Crawley, who appear to have arrested their slide.

Away days: Tottenham, with an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League and 4-0 home winners over Sheffield United last Sunday, have more to play for than their hosts, Leeds, who are becalmed in mid-table. Brentford, third in the Championship, will probably relish a trip to Bristol City, who are badly out of sorts. Forest Green have moved back into the League Two play-off positions and are tipped to stay there after their match at Oldham, who are poor at home. Newport are also in the play-off mix and are strongly fancied at relegated Southend. In the National League, Eastleigh are recommended at off-form Altrincham and Solihull will start firm favourites at lowly King's Lynn. 

Homes sweet homes: West Ham, still in pursuit of a Champions League place, deserved their 2-1 victory at Burnley on Monday and will fancy themselves against Everton, even though the Merseysiders are playing better away from home. Three points will keep Derby up in their final Championship fixture of the season on Saturday and I believe they'll get them against Sheffield Wednesday, for whom anything less than a win will send them down. Reading's promotion challenge has petered out but they will be eager to end the season on a positive note and will approach their game against struggling Huddersfield with confidence.

Pools info: I scored five draws out of ten last weekend and three of my five best draws were correct. The three were: Luton 1 Middlesbrough 1, Accrington 1 Charlton 1 and Peterborough 3 Lincoln 3.