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

 Ten draws: Newcastle v Manchester City, Nottingham Forest v Fulham, Derby v Norwich, Portsmouth v Sheffield United, Bristol Rovers v Wycombe, Crawley v Bolton, Northampton v Mansfield, Bromley v MK Dons, Harrogate v Bradford City, Kilmarnock v Dundee United.

Best draws: Nottingham Forest v Fulham, Derby v Norwich, Crawley v Bolton, Bromley v MK Dons, Harrogate v Bradford City.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Aston Villa, Liverpool, West Bromwich, Charlton, Aberdeen, Oldham. Ten homes: Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Blackburn, Birmingham, Blackpool, Doncaster, Gillingham, Hearts, Rangers.

Pick of the draws: Nottingham Forest, somewhat surprisingly, are one of the Premier League's unbeaten sides so far but Fulham, just below them in ninth place, impressed when beating Newcastle 3-1 at home last Saturday and can come away with a point. Norwich finally woke up with a 4-1 home win over Watford in the Championship last weekend and I'm tipping them to deny Derby, who have won all three of their home matches. Crawley are fading after a strong start in League One and may have to be content with a draw against Bolton, who hit Reading for five last Saturday. In League Two, Bromley, like Crawley, are heading the wrong way and host MK Dons, who are one place behind them and have yet to spark. Harrogate will be determined to make up for their weak performance when losing 3-0 at Crewe last Saturday and face Bradford City, who are still not firing on all cylinders. 

Away days: Aston Villa, with five consecutive victories behind them, are likely to be too strong for Premier League newcomers Ipswich, who needed a stoppage-time goal to draw at Southampton. Liverpool looked back to their best when beating Bournemouth 3-0 at home and it's hard to see them slipping up at Wolves, who have slumped to the bottom of the table. West Bromwich Albion, the new unbeaten Championship leaders, seem certain to prevail at struggling Sheffield Wednesday. High-flying Charlton suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Blackpool in League One last weekend but I believe they'll recover quickly at Stevenage. Aberdeen, second to Celtic only on goal difference in the Scottish Premiership, will fancy their chances at Dundee and in the National League, fast-improving Oldham are recommended at bottom club Ebbsfleet. 

Homes sweet homes: Everton, second from last in the Premier League, played well for long periods when drawing 1-1 at Leicester last Saturday but are still without a win this season. I've a feeling that will change against Crystal Palace, who have yet to taste victory themselves. Stephen Clemence, manager of League Two leaders Barrow, is returning to second-placed Gillingham, the club that sacked him last season. I think he'll be out of luck and I expect Gills to be leading the table on Saturday evening. The wretched start to the season by Hearts sees them bottom of the Scottish Premiership and without a win. They are due a change of fortune and may get it against Ross County.

Pools info: Wimbledon v Accrington (match No.32 on coupon) has been postponed and will be assessed by the pools panel.

 

 

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

 Ten draws: Tottenham v Brentford, Bristol City v Oxford, Norwich v Watford, Queens Park Rangers v Millwall, Lincoln v Wigan, Bradford City v Wimbledon, Chesterfield v Cheltenham, Grimsby v Bromley, Notts County v Gillingham, Salford v Walsall. 

Best draws: Tottenham v Brentford, Bristol City v Oxford, Lincoln v Wigan, Notts County v Gillingham, Salford v Walsall.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Man Utd, Newcastle, Leeds, Blackburn, Birmingham, Port Vale. 

Ten homes: Aston Villa, Burnley, Coventry, Luton, Huddersfield, Stockport, Wrexham, Wycombe, Barrow, Swindon. 

Pick of the draws: Brentford gave a good account of themselves when losing narrowly at Manchester City last Saturday and will be optimistic about getting something at Tottenham, who sit in the bottom half of the Premier League. Oxford, promoted via the play-offs at the end of last season, are making light of life in the Championship and will be disappointed if they come away from Bristol City empty-handed. Wigan's 4-0 win at Bristol Rovers in League One last weekend was eye-catching and will make them believe they can gain a point at Lincoln. The match of the day in League Two features Notts County, the leaders, against second-placed Gillingham. I'm taking County, the division's highest scorers, to be held by the Gills, who have the best defence. Salford are gradually climbing the table after a hesitant start and in the mood to deny high-flying Walsall.

Away days: Manchester United eased the pressure on their manager by beating Southampton 3-0 away last Saturday. They also hit Barnsley, of League One, for seven in the midweek League Cup at Old Trafford and can complete a hat-trick of victories at Crystal Palace. Newcastle show signs of being more resilient opponents on their travels this season. They won 2-1 at Wolves last Sunday and will fancy their chances at Fulham. Leeds suffered a setback when losing 1-0 at home to Burnley in the Championship last weekend. They will want to recover quickly and a game at bottom club Cardiff gives them an excellent opportunity. Blackburn, one of the early Championship front-runners, are recommended at struggling Preston and Birmingham, second in League One and fresh from defeating promotion rivals Wrexham 3-1 at St Andrew's on Monday, should get the better of Rotherham. In League Two, I expect Port Vale, with consecutive wins behind them, to increase the gloom at lowly Accrington.

Homes sweet homes: Mid-table Coventry were very unlucky not to win at Watford in the Championship last Saturday and can make sure this time by beating Swansea. Luton, relegated from the Premier League, deserved their first victory of the season at Millwall last weekend and are well capable of getting off the mark at Kenilworth Road against flaky Sheffield Wednesday. Swindon, in the lower half of League Two, are hoping that their 4-0 rout of Newport will kick-start their campaign and are worth backing against Carlisle, who are in free-fall.

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

 Ten draws: Wolves v Newcastle, Leeds v Burnley, Portsmouth v West Bromwich, Swansea v Norwich, Bolton v Huddersfield, Peterborough v Lincoln, Carlisle v Fleetwood, Swindon v Newport, Walsall v Bradford City, Dundee United v Rangers.

Best draws: Wolves v Newcastle, Portsmouth v West Bromwich, Bolton v Huddersfield, Swindon v Newport, Dundee United v Rangers.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Sunderland, Stockport, Charlton, Barnsley, Crewe, Notts County. 

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Aston Villa, Brighton, Derby, Watford, Blackpool, Mansfield, Rotherham, Morecambe, Salford, Barnet.

Pick of the draws: Wolves, who have struggled in the Premier League so far, did better when drawing 1-1 at Nottingham Forest two weeks ago and could deny Newcastle, who won against the run of play at home to Tottenham. West Bromwich Albion, lying second in the Championship, are genuine promotion contenders this season but Fratton Park is never an easy place to go and Portsmouth may snatch a point. Bolton have made a surprisingly sluggish start in League One. They are without a win at home, a run that will probably be extended after they've played relegated Huddersfield. Swindon are still waiting for a first victory in League Two, where they are fourth from bottom. They host Newport, whose progress was abruptly halted by a 4-1 home defeat against Port Vale. Fourth-placed Rangers have been unconvincing in the Scottish Premiership and won't relish a trip to Dundee United, who are one place higher.

Away days: Sunderland, the only side in the Football League to have maximum points, are firm favourites to win their Championship fixture at lowly Plymouth, despite the long, tiring journey. League One Stockport, aiming for successive promotions, are recommended at Crawley, who have begun to falter. Charlton, who are also among the early front-runners, are expected beat struggling Shrewsbury. Barnsley, in third place, haven't dropped an away point so far and I believe that sequence will continue at Stevenage. Having won 2-1 at Bromley in their previous League Two away game, Crewe will be confident of coming away from lowly Accrington with three points. Notts County, second in the table, will rate their chances of success at Bromley, newcomers to the Football League.

Homes sweet homes: It's surprising to see Blackpool in the League One relegation zone but I'm tipping them to take a step forward against visitors Exeter and win a league match for the first time this season. Morecambe are bottom of League Two with no goals and no points. Funnily enough they haven't played that badly. They've lost all five matches 1-0 and are due a change of luck. I think they'll get it against Colchester. Although Salford are in the bottom half of the table, I get the feeling they are on the up and fancy them to defeat Cheltenham. 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of August 31-September 1

Ten draws: Ipswich v Fulham, Newcastle v Tottenham, Sheffield United v Watford, Blackpool v Wycombe, Crawley v Barnsley, Peterborough v Wrexham, Shrewsbury v Leyton Orient, Stevenage v Lincoln, Accrington v Colchester, Hearts v Dundee United.

Best draws: Newcastle v Tottenham, Sheffield United v Watford, Blackpool v Wycombe, Peterborough v Wrexham, Shrewsbury v Leyton Orient.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Liverpool, Manchester City, Bradford City, Newport, Notts County, Ayr. Ten homes: Brentford, Leeds, Luton (Friday), West Bromwich, Birmingham, Bolton, Gillingham, Walsall, Celtic, East Fife.

Pick of the draws: Tottenham must be a shade disappointed not to have maximum points after two Premier League games. Leicester surprisingly denied them on the opening weekend of the season and Newcastle could do the same on Sunday. Watford, second in the Championship, have won every match so far but their perfect sequence may end at Sheffield United, who have also begun the season well. Blackpool, without a win in League One, gained a notable midweek victory at Championship Blackburn in the League Cup, which should encourage them against visitors Wycombe. Wrexham have a good chance of consecutive promotions but their trip to Peterborough will be their hardest test so far this season. Shrewsbury and Leyton Orient are pointless and fill the bottom two places in League One. I don't think either of them will come out on top. 

Away days: Liverpool, with two convincing wins from their first two Premier League fixtures, are a confident selection at the ever-erratic Manchester United on Sunday. Manchester City are only slightly less certain to triumph at West Ham, despite the Hammers' impressive 2-0 win at Crystal Palace last Saturday. In League Two, Bradford City travel to Grimsby, who have conceded nine goals in their past two games. High-riding Newport are also recommended at bottom-of-the table Morecambe and Notts County are forecast to increase the gloom at Swindon. Leaders Ayr, with a maximum haul from their opening four Scottish Championship fixtures, look an away banker at bottom side Dunfermline.

Homes sweet homes: Luton, second last in the Championship, are on a downer. But although they went out of the League Cup on penalties to Queens Park Rangers in midweek, I've a hunch they will gain revenge against the same opponents on Friday. Walsall are among the unexpected front-runners in League Two. Knocking Huddersfield, of League One, out of the League Cup in midweek will have done their confidence a power of good and I fancy them against relegated Cheltenham. I also rate Celtic's chances in the Old Firm derby on Sunday. Rangers thrashed Ross 6-0 at Ibrox last weekend but the Scottish Premiership leaders are a different proposition. 

 

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

 Ten draws: Aston Villa v Arsenal, Bournemouth v Newcastle, Norwich v Sheffield United, Sunderland v Burnley, Cambridge v Blackpool, Wrexham v Reading, Barrow v Port Vale, Cheltenham v Wimbledon, MK Dons v Carlisle, Tranmere v Walsall.

Best draws: Aston Villa v Arsenal, Bournemouth v Newcastle, Cambridge v Blackpool, Wrexham v Reading, Tranmere v Walsall.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Luton, Peterborough, Birmingham, Mansfield, Dundee, Celtic. 

Ten homes: Brighton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Swansea, Charlton, Huddersfield, Colchester, Doncaster, Sutton. 

Pick of the draws: Aston Villa were the only Premier League team to do the double over Arsenal last season and they also stopped them from scoring in both games. It won't surprise me if they deny the Gunners maximum points on Saturday. Eddie Howe returns to his old club Bournemouth on Sunday when Newcastle are the visitors. Newcastle beat Southampton at home last weekend, despite going down to 10 men but will find the Cherries a tougher proposition. Cambridge and Blackpool are pointless after two League One matches and I don't think either of them will come out on top. Reading have started the season well, unlucky not to win at Birmingham on the opening Saturday and beating Wigan 2-0 at home last weekend. They can frustrate promoted Wrexham. Walsall are the unexpected League Two leaders after their 4-0 romp at Swindon last Saturday. However, I believe Tranmere, the hosts, will offer more resistance. 

Away days: Relegated Luton recovered from their heavy home loss against Burnley when their 10 men held Portsmouth to a goalless draw in the Championship at Fratton Park last Saturday. They are worth a wager at Preston, who are pointless and in disarray. In League One, Peterborough got off the mark with a 4-1 win at Shrewsbury. That should give them the confidence to come away from Exeter with three points. Birmingham's 3-2 victory at Wycombe last Saturday suggests that they are adjusting to a new division and deserve to be backed at struggling Leyton Orient. Promoted Mansfield don't look out of place in League One and could triumph at Lincoln. Dundee, four points from their first two fixtures in the Scottish Premiership, will rate their chances at lowly Hibernian and leaders Celtic will probably be too strong for St Mirren on Sunday.

Homes sweet homes: Brighton, the early Premier League leaders and under a new manager, looked very impressive when winning 3-0 at Everton last Saturday and I tip them to beat Manchester United, who still fail to convince. Charlton are one of four sides with maximum points in League One. Defeating Bolton will be their hardest test yet but this is a hurdle they can overcome. Colchester are showing more promise in  League Two this season and a win over Harrogate will put them in an even stronger position. 

Pools info: Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth, West Bromwich v Leeds and Accrington v Harrogate.