Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 9-10

 Ten draws: Finland v Denmark, Romania v Israel, Accrington v Mansfield, Crawley v Newport, MK Dons v Notts County, Fylde v Aldershot, Oxford City v Hartlepool, Wealdstone v Ebbsfleet, Alfreton v Boston, Curzon Ashton v Chorley.

Best draws: Accrington v Mansfield, Crawley v Newport, MK Dons v Notts County, Oxford City v Hartlepool, Wealdstone v Ebbsfleet.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: England, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Slovenia.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Greece, Kazakhstan, Exeter, Stevenage, Wimbledon, Gillingham, Swindon, Wrexham, Barnet, Bromley.

Pick of the draws: Mansfield managed to draw against their League Two opponents Bradford City last Saturday, despite being depleted by injuries. I believe they can do the same at Accrington, who are one place below them. Crawley recovered well from their 6-0 pasting at Swindon by gaining a merited point in a 3-3 draw at Stockport last Saturday. As a result, they shouldn't be overawed by the visit of Newport. Second plays first in the MK Dons-Notts County fixture and I don't think either side will have the edge. Oxford City have rallied after a poor start to their National League campaign. They drew 3-3 at                 early front-runners Solihull Moors last weekend and I tip them to share the spoils with fourth-placed Hartlepool. A 4-1 home victory over York last weekend confirmed that promoted Ebbsfleet are in fine form and they can come away from mid-table Wealdstone with a point.

Away days: England, with maximum points from four European Championship qualifying games, can extend their lead at the top of the table by beating Ukraine. Belgium, handily placed in Group F, look a sure thing at Azerbaijan, who are bottom. Sweden have yet to click in the same group but I rate their chances against Estonia. Switzerland, who lead Group I, are worth backing at Kosovo, as are Serbia, who face Lithuania, who prop up Group G. In Group H it will be a major upset if Slovenia fail to beat San Marino, who have no points and no goals.

Homes sweet homes: Exeter are the unexpected leaders in League One and are in far better shape than their visitors, Leyton Orient. After a hesitant start to their League Two season, Wimbledon are beginning to move through the gears and are worth a wager against Stockport, who relinquished a two-goal lead at home to Crawley last Saturday and cannot get going. Bromley, of the National League, followed their 2-1 home win over Southend with a 2-1 away victory against Altrincham last Saturday. They'll be fancied to make it three in a row when they host Maidenhead.

Pools info: Barrow v Morecambe (No.19 on coupon) has been postponed because of international calls and will be assessed by the pools panel.

 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 2-3

 Ten draws: Brighton v Newcastle, Burnley v Tottenham, Bolton v Derby, Bristol Rovers v Lincoln, Carlisle v Shrewsbury, Leyton Orient v Stevenage, Morecambe v Salford, Notts County v Accrington, Walsall v Colchester, Inverness v Dunfermline.

Best draws: Burnley v Tottenham, Bolton v Derby, Leyton Orient v Stevenage, Morecambe v Salford, Inverness v Dunfermline.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Norwich, Wigan, Exeter, Barnsley, Swindon, Falkirk.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, Manchester City, Leeds, Leicester, Middlesbrough, West Bromwich, Charlton, Stockport, Rangers, Hartlepool.

Pick of the draws: Newly promoted Burnley are pointless, having lost their opening two home matches to Manchester City and Aston Villa in the Premier League. They will be determined not to make it a hat-trick against Tottenham, who made a first-round League Cup exit at Fulham in midweek. Derby's 4-2 win at Peterborough in League One last weekend was an overdue success and I can see them coming away from promotion favourites Bolton with a point. Leyton Orient opened their League One account for the season by beating Cambridge United 2-0 at home last Saturday. They'll probably find Stevenage harder opponents, even though the visitors have gone slightly off the boil. In League Two, Salford have prospered more away than at home and will be disappointed to leave Morecambe empty-handed. Although bottom team Inverness have yet to get off the mark in the Scottish Championship, I'm taking them to deny Dunfermline victory. 

Away days: The way both sides have started in the Championship, second-placed Norwich look an away banker at Rotherham, who are 21st and lost 6-1 at Stoke in the League Cup. Going down to 10 men early on last Saturday, hindered League One Wigan, who lost 2-0 at home to Barnsley. They'll be better equipped to cope at Blackpool, who have suffered heavy consecutive defeats - 3-0 at Lincoln in the league and 5-0 at Wolves in the League Cup. Exeter, in second place, are a confident selection at Burton, who are without a win so far. The claims of Barnsley cannot be ignored at Cheltenham, who have no goals and no points. Free-scoring Swindon, 11 goals in their past two League Two fixtures, are strongly fancied at bottom side Doncaster, as are high-flying Falkirk, who look a good thing at pointless Edinburgh City in the Scottish Championship.

Homes sweet homes: History is repeating itself for Middlesbrough, who got off to a slow start in the Championship last season. But perhaps their 3-1 win at Bolton in the midweek League Cup will be a turning point. They are definitely worth a punt against ailing Queens Park Rangers. Stockport have been slow out of the blocks in League Two but they are better than their low position suggests and worth backing against Crawley, who crashed 6-0 at Swindon last Saturday. Although Celtic top the Scottish Premiership, they haven't been entirely convincing, which gives fresh hope to Rangers, their bitter rivals, in the Old Firm derby on Sunday. Celtic were held to a home goalless draw by St Johnstone last weekend while Rangers were winning 2-0 at Ross County. 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 26-27

Ten draws: Everton v Wolves, Millwall v Stoke, Watford v Blackburn, Cheltenham v Northampton, Lincoln v Blackpool, Stevenage v Portsmouth, Barrow v Wrexham, Bradford City v Crewe, Salford v Accrington, Hibernian v Livingston.

Best draws: Everton v Wolves, Millwall v Stoke, Lincoln v Blackpool, Stevenage v Portsmouth, Barrow v Wrexham.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Aston Villa, Manchester City, Norwich, Morecambe, Hearts, Barnet.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Arsenal, Chelsea (Friday), Cardiff, Southampton, Port Vale, Wimbledon, Gillingham, MK Dons, Newport, Hamilton.

Pick of the draws: Although there's a long way to go, I already fear for Everton and Wolves, last and second last respectively in the Premier League. At least a draw on Saturday will give both their first point of the season. Millwall have faltered since winning 1-0 at Middlesbrough on the opening weekend of their Championship campaign, which gives Stoke, their visitors, a good chance of coming away with a point. Blackpool have yet to concede in four League One games, which should serve them well at Lincoln, who specialised in drawing at home last season. Stevenage v Portsmouth features sides who unexpectedly failed to win last Saturday and I can't see either coming out on top this time. Wrexham's hopes of gaining consecutive promotions are being hindered by a leaky defence. Further weakness in this area will probably be exploited by Barrow, who are among the early League Two front-runners.

Away days: Aston Villa recovered well from their 5-1 mauling at Newcastle by beating Everton 4-0 last Sunday and Hibernian 5-0 in midweek. Villa's hosts, Burnley, are one of five Premier League teams without a point and I expect Villa to show no mercy on Sunday. Manchester City look banker material at promoted Sheffield United, even though they will be without manager Pep Guardiola, who is recovering from an operation. Norwich, third in the Championship, also seem a sound bet at struggling Huddersfield. Morecambe's 3-0 home victory over Bradford City in League Two will lift their confidence for their visit to lowly Harrogate. Hearts are worth backing at promoted Dundee in the Scottish Premiership, as are Barnet, the National League leaders, at bottom-of-the-table Dagenham & Redbridge.

Homes sweet homes: Cardiff played well despite losing at Leicester last Saturday and they are worth a punt against Sheffield Wednesday, who are the only Championship team without a point so far. Credit to Port Vale for coming back so strongly after being thrashed 7-0 at Barnsley on the opening League One weekend. Having won 3-2 at Charlton last Saturday, I fancy the Vale to gain three more points at the expense of Carlisle. Free-scoring Newport are highly recommended against ailing Sutton in their League Two clash.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 19-20

 Ten draws: Manchester City v Newcastle, Wolves v Brighton, Bristol City v Birmingham, Swansea v Coventry, Cambridge v Bristol Rovers, Reading v Stevenage, Shrewsbury v Lincoln, Stockport v Barrow, Wrexham v Swindon, Hibernian v Raith.

Best draws: Manchester City v Newcastle, Wolves v Brighton, Bristol City v Birmingham, Cambridge v Bristol Rovers, Wrexham v Barrow.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Chelsea, Ipswich, Preston, Peterborough, Ross, Queen's Park.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Liverpool, Tottenham, Leicester, Norwich, Sunderland, Blackpool, Portsmouth, Wycombe, Queen of the South, Chesterfield. 

Pick of the draws: Newcastle played so well when beating Aston Villa 5-1 at home last Saturday that I'm backing them to take a point at Manchester City, who had an extra match they could have done without in midweek. Wolves were desperately unlucky to come away empty-handed from Manchester United on Monday. A repeat of that form should serve them well against Brighton but the visitors are in good nick themselves, as seen in their 4-1 home victory over promoted Luton last weekend. Birmingham have begun the Championship season brightly but so have their hosts, Bristol City, who won 1-0 away at Millwall last Saturday. Cambridge, who suffered their first League One loss of the campaign when going down 2-1 at home to Stevenage in midweek, may again be denied against Bristol Rovers, who defeated Charlton at The Valley. 

Away days: Chelsea showed enough in their 1-1 home draw with Liverpool last Sunday to suggest that they should come out on top against West Ham on Sunday. Promoted Ipswich are the early Championship leaders with maximum points from two games. Don't be surprised if they are still top after they have played Queens Park Rangers, who are struggling. Preston are worth a wager at Sheffield Wednesday, who may already be regretting their decision to part with manager Darren Moore. On-form Peterborough are a confident selection at Northampton in League One. I expect Ross County, of the Scottish Premiership, to assert their authority at Championship team Airdrieonians in the Viaplay Cup second round. In the Scottish Championship I cannot ignore leaders Queen's Park, who travel to bottom side Arbroath. 

Homes sweet homes: Tottenham played better in drawing 2-2 at Brentford last Sunday than Manchester United, their visitors this Saturday, did when beating Wolves 1-0 at Old Trafford on Monday. I have a feeling that Spurs could spring a surprise here. Sunderland, pointless after two Championship fixtures, are expected to rectify that when they entertain Rotherham, who are just above them. Wycombe were relieved to gain their first win of the season at home to Leyton Orient in midweek. I believe they will add to that when they host Burton, who are pointless after three matches. 

Pools info: Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Bournemouth v West Ham, Wimbledon v Wrexham and Hearts v Kilmarnock.

Betting info: I scored nine out of ten homes last weekend: Arsenal, Brighton, Ipswich, Wigan, Barrow, Bradford City, Mansfield, Stevenage and Rangers. 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 12-13

 Ten draws: Bournemouth v West Ham, Sheff Utd v Crystal Palace, West Brom v Swansea, Burton v Derby, Exeter v Blackpool, Leyton Orient v Portsmouth, Peterborough v Charlton, Wimbledon v Wycombe, Newport v Doncaster, Hearts v Kilmarnock.

Best draws: Bournemouth v West Ham, Sheff Utd v Crystal Palace, Burton v Derby, Wimbledon v Wrexham, Hearts v Kilmarnock.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Leicester, Blackburn, Bolton, Reading, Stockport, Celtic.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Arsenal, Brighton, Ipswich, Wigan, Barrow, Bradford City, Mansfield, Salford, Stevenage, Rangers.

Pick of the draws: There is talk that David Moyes's job as West Ham manager is in jeopardy, despite the club winning the Europa Conference trophy last season. I still fancy their chances of getting something at Bournemouth, who are under new management. There is no reason why Sheffield United, back in the Premier League after their promotion, should have an inferiority complex against Crystal Palace, who have lost their best player, Wilfried Zaha. Derby, who just missed out on the League One play-offs, have begun this season with two defeats (in league and League Cup) but I'm taking them to stop the rot at Burton. Wrexham's 5-3 League Two home loss by Milton Keynes Dons was perhaps the biggest upset last weekend but they played much better in their midweek League Cup home tie against Wigan and should come away from Wimbledon with a point. Kilmarnock's shock 1-0 home victory over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership will have lifted their confidence to the extent that they could deny Hearts.

Away days: Relegated Leicester are being heavily backed to make an instant return to the Premier League. They opened their Championship campaign by beating Coventry 2-1 at home and are likely to be too strong for Huddersfield. Blackburn, with two opening victories behind them (league and League Cup), will feel confident of making it three in a row at Rotherham. Bolton started their season in League One with a convincing 3-0 home win over Lincoln, which augurs well for their trip to Cheltenham. Reading's resounding 4-0 midweek triumph at Championship side Millwall in the League Cup is bad news for their hosts on Saturday, Port Vale, who crashed 7-0 at Barnsley last weekend. I believe Stockport, in League Two, will recover quickly from their unexpected 1-0 home loss to Gillingham and win at Walsall while Celtic should assert their authority at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

Homes sweet homes: Ipswich, 2-1 winners at Sunderland last Sunday, are aiming for successive promotions and I fancy them in their Championship home fixture against Stoke on Saturday. Wigan, relegated to League One, seem undeterred by their eight-point deduction, for breaching EFL regulations, as was evident when they won 2-1 at Derby last Saturday, and I'm backing them for further maximum points against Northampton. Sutton, who travel to Barrow, scored five against Notts County's 10 men in League Two last weekend but Barrow had a fine result themselves, beating Tranmere 2-1 away, and are worth a punt.