Pools tips for weekend of January 18-19

Ten draws: Swansea v Tottenham, Derby v Brighton, Millwall v Ipswich, Nottingham Forest v Blackburn, Carlisle v Colchester, Sheffield United v Bradford City, Stevenage v Notts County, Exeter v Morecambe, Southend v Chesterfield, Ross v Dundee United.

Best draws: Derby v Brighton, Sheffield United v Bradford City, Exeter v Morecambe, Southend v Chesterfield, Ross v Dundee United.

Best weekend away bets: Wigan, Wolves, Rotherham, Burton, Oxford, Dumbarton.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Barnsley, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers, Bristol City, Peterborough, Fleetwood, Portsmouth, Hibernian.


Pick of the draws: Derby have followed their wonderful run with three defeats in a row. As a result, their Championship promotion challenge has stalled and Brighton, who are on the upgrade, are playing well enough to take advantage. Sheffield United host Bradford City in League One. Last month this fixture would have been an away banker but United have improved under Nigel Clough whereas City are sliding down the table. Exeter's play-off challenge in League Two has faded and their visitors, Morecambe, look more likely to be involved. Southend and Chesterfield, who meet at Roots Hall, both feature in the shake-up for automatic promotion and I rate this the best draw on the coupon. Dundee United have disappointed in the Scottish Premiership, so don't be surprised if they are held by lowly Ross.

Away days: Wigan go from strength to strength under Uwe Rosler in the Championship and should be backed to gain maximum points at troubled Doncaster. Wolves ended a wobbly spell in League One with deserved victory over Preston last weekend. It reinvigorated their promotion campaign and I believe they will win again at Crawley. High-flying Rotherham have done better away than at home and seem a sound bet at Shrewsbury, who are hovering above the relegation zone. Burton, second in League Two, are also specialists on the road and I fancy them to bury Bury. Oxford are unbeaten away this season. They maintained that record by drawing at Championship side Charlton in the FA Cup third round and they will surely account for Wycombe. Dumbarton, with five away victories in the Scottish Championship, are worth a punt at faltering Alloa, who are just above them.

Homes sweet homes: Barnsley, bottom of the Championship, will probably be relieved to be playing Paul Ince's Blackpool, who cannot buy a win at the moment and are plummeting down the table. I expect Barnsley to ease their relegation worries with a much-needed three points. Bristol City, in the League One relegation zone but improving under new manager Steve Cotterill, are capable of surprising MK Dons, who may feel the effects of having to play extra time in their FA Cup third-round replay against holders Wigan. Portsmouth are in desperate trouble near the foot of League Two. Any sort of victory would be welcome and I think they will get it against League newcomers Mansfield.