Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 20-21

Ten draws: Everton v West Bromwich Albion, Bolton v Ipswich, Leeds v Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff, Sunderland v Hull, Plymouth v Wigan, Rotherham v Portsmouth, Coventry v Swindon, Yeovil v Chesterfield, Fylde v Macclesfield.

Best draws: Everton v West Bromwich Albion, Bolton v Ipswich, Sunderland v Hull, Plymouth v Wigan, Coventry v Swindon.

Best weekend away bets: Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Blackburn, Lincoln, Wycombe.

Best weekend home bets: Leicester, Stoke, Aston Villa, Fulham, Preston, Wolves, Northampton, Rochdale, Colchester, Mansfield.


Pick of the draws: After a brief revival under new manager Sam Allardyce, Everton have fallen apart and are vulnerable to a West Brom team who are fighting to save their Premier League lives. West Brom also had the encouragement of a 2-0 home win over fellow strugglers Brighton last weekend. Ipswich's results in the Championship have been underwhelming and they only just managed to beat 10-man Leeds at Portman Road last Saturday. I expect they won't get too much out of Bolton, who at one point this season looked doomed but are now above the drop zone. Despite appointing Chris Coleman as manager, Sunderland are still bottom with only one home victory to their name. They'll struggle to overcome Hull, whose results have improved recently. Plymouth's startling rise to
mid-table in League One is impossible to ignore and I'm backing them to hold leaders Wigan. Although Coventry will be keen to climb back into the League Two play-off places after losing to Exeter, Swindon, their opponents on Saturday, have the best away record in the division, winning nine matches, and will probably relish this encounter.

Away days: Chelsea have stumbled recently but they look good for maximum points at Brighton, who are in need of more firepower. Second-placed Manchester United will no doubt take advantage of Burnley's loss in form while free-scoring Tottenham, with Harry Kane unstoppable, are a confident selection on Sunday at Southampton, who are low on morale and hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone. Manager Tony Mowbray is doing a good job of reviving Blackburn, who have become strong contenders for automatic promotion in League One. I believe they'll improve that prospect by winning at Fleetwood on Saturday. Lincoln have a wonderful opportunity to gain two successive promotions and are strong favourites to prevail at Barnet, who are languishing at the bottom of League Two. Wycombe's chances of going up to League One are also good and they will have high hopes at relegation-troubled Crewe.

Homes sweet homes: Stoke, third from bottom of the Premier League, have a new manager in Paul Lambert. I think he'll get off to a winning start when Huddersfield come to visit on Saturday. Huddersfield have steadily slipped in the past few months and are now one of at least 10 clubs involved in the battle to avoid relegation. Northampton's 2-1 victory at high-flying Bradford City was one of the best results last weekend and has given them a fighting chance of escaping relegation from League One. They are well worth a punt against MK Dons, who are far from safe themselves. Second from bottom Rochdale have a lot of ground to recover but they can make a start against Southend, whose away record is poor and includes 10 defeats.


Pools info: Derby v Bristol City (match No 12 on coupon) and Newport v Crawley (42) have been brought forward to Friday and are therefore void.


Betting info: I scored five out of six with my away selections last weekend. Derby, Charlton, Fleetwood, Newport and St Mirren all obliged.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 13-14

Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Burnley, Burton v Queens Park Rangers, Ipswich v Leeds, Blackburn v Shrewsbury, Oldham v Rotherham, Cambridge v Mansfield, Exeter v Coventry, Lincoln v Notts County, Wycombe v Colchester, Morton v Falkirk.

Best draws: Ipswich v Leeds, Blackburn v Shrewsbury, Oldham v Rotherham, Cambridge v Mansfield, Exeter v Coventry.

Best weekend away bets: Derby, Charlton, Fleetwood, Luton, Newport, St Mirren.

Best weekend home bets: Newcastle, Tottenham, Watford, Bristol City, Hull, Nottingham Forest, Gillingham, Morecambe, Swindon, Arbroath.


Pick of the draws: The downbeat mood of Ipswich fans cannot have been improved by the team losing at home to Sheffield United in the FA Cup third round last Saturday. However, Ipswich's opponents, Leeds, fared even worse, going out to Newport, of League Two. Leeds have not drawn away in the Championship this season but I predict they'll get something at Portman Road. Unfashionable Shrewsbury are second in League One on merit with only three defeats to their name this season. A trip to Blackburn, who lie third, is no easy task but I'm backing Shrewsbury to hold Tony Mowbray's team. Rotherham are making a spirited challenge for the League One play-off places and will be hoping for at least a point at Oldham, where the goals have dried up recently. League Two play-off contenders Mansfield have begun 2018 well, including drawing at Championship side Cardiff in the FA Cup, and are well equipped to share the spoils at mid-table Cambridge. Coventry are on a roll, having moved into third spot in League Two and knocking Premier League Stoke out of the FA Cup last weekend. They travel to home specialists Exeter, who are more likely to give them a tougher match than Stoke.

Away days: Manager Gary Rowett has just signed a new contract at promotion-seeking Derby and will be keen to put one over Birmingham, the club that sacked him midway through last season and have been regretting it ever since. Derby lie second in the Championship whereas Birmingham are second from bottom. Charlton halted their League One slump with a 1-0 home win over Oldham last Saturday and look an away banker against rock bottom Bury. Fleetwood, having given Leicester a scare in the FA Cup last weekend, will go to ailing Southend with confidence while League Two leaders Luton must fancy themselves at relegation-threatened Chesterfield. FA Cup giant-killers Newport are well worth a punt at off-colour Grimsby and St Mirren, top of the Scottish Championship, are recommended at lowly Dumbarton.

Homes sweet homes: Hull's FA Cup tie at Blackburn last Saturday was a potential banana skin but they kept their feet to progress to the next round and that victory will encourage them in their attempt to avoid relegation from the Championship. Hull host Reading, who are clearly out of sorts and were lucky to escape defeat when facing League Two Stevenage in the FA Cup last Saturday. Nottingham Forest's deserved 4-2 win over Arsenal at the City Ground last Sunday has given them an enormous lift and I believe they'll send Aston Villa packing. League Two strugglers Morecambe have a real opportunity to move further away from the drop zone when they entertain Stevenage, who have lost their past five games on the road.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 6-7

Ten draws: Birmingham v Burton, Bolton v Huddersfield, Millwall v Barnsley, Shrewsbury v West Ham, Stevenage v Reading, Oxford v Blackpool, Barrow v Tranmere, Dover v Aldershot, Maidenhead v Halifax, Livingston v Queen of South.

Best draws: Birmingham v Burton, Bolton v Huddersfield, Stevenage v Reading, Barrow v Tranmere, Dover v Aldershot.

Best weekend away bets: Leicester, Sheffield United, Preston, Bradford City, Port Vale, Sutton United.

Best weekend home bets: Cardiff, Blackburn, Doncaster, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Watford, Wolves, Plymouth, Accrington, Leyton Orient.


Pick of the draws: It's FA Cup third-round weekend and in Birmingham v Burton we have two
well-matched teams playing against each other. Both are struggling in the Championship but are showing signs of reviving. Birmingham have just beaten Leeds (home) and Reading (away) while Burton have won three consecutive away fixtures. A case could be made for either side but it's more likely to end in deadlock. Bolton, another lowly Championship team, have also raised their game recently to climb out of the relegation zone. They can hold promoted Huddersfield, whose Premier League away form leaves much to be desired. Stevenage, of League Two, are much better at home than on their travels and may relish the prospect of facing Reading, whose Championship season has been so disappointing. Barrow gained an unexpected point at high-flying Wrexham in the National League on Monday and I'm backing them to do the same against promotion contenders Tranmere, who crashed 5-2 at Fylde. Second-placed Aldershot enjoyed a particularly good Christmas and I'm taking them to keep up the good work by sharing the spoils at Dover, who are in the play-off positions.

Away days: I'm confident that Premier League Leicester won't make the mistake of underestimating Fleetwood, of League One, and will progress to the FA Cup fourth round. Sheffield United have slipped out of the Championship play-off positions but they are more consistent than their hosts Ipswich and get my vote in one of the more interesting third-round ties. I expect on-form Preston to go through at Wycombe, from League Two, while Bradford City's outstanding away form should serve them well at Yeovil. Port Vale, one of the most improved sides in the country, are strongly recommended at Forest Green, who are bottom of League Two, and Sutton, third in the National League, are worth a punt at Gateshead, who are erratic.

Homes sweet homes: Tony Mowbray's Blackburn, third in League One, are probably a better team than Hull, 21st in the Championship, and I think they'll prove it at Ewood Park on Saturday. Fulham, mid-table in the Championship, are suddenly finding the net after being shot-shy and must fancy their chances of knocking Southampton out of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage. Ailing Saints may see avoiding relegation from the Premier League as their priority. Leyton Orient, in the lower reaches of the National League, have responded well to their new manager Justin Edinburgh and I'll be surprised if they don't climb the table from this point. They'll be looking for three points from their fixture against Boreham Wood and I believe they'll get them.


Pools info: The third-round FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Derby (match No 15 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Dec 30-31

Ten draws: Huddersfield v Burnley, Bristol City v Wolves, Blackburn v Scunthorpe, Blackpool v Plymouth, Southend v Shrewsbury, Cambridge v Crewe, Cheltenham v Newport, Grimsby v Accrington, Hibernian v Kilmarnock, Brechin v Inverness.

Best draws: Bristol City v Wolves, Blackpool v Plymouth, Southend v Shrewsbury, Cheltenham v Newport, Grimsby v Accrington.

Best weekend away bets: Leeds, Fulham, Fleetwood, Peterborough, Colchester, Notts County.

Best weekend home bets: Bournemouth, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Brentford, Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Crawley, Exeter, Lincoln.


Pick of the draws: Bristol City, worthy conquerors of Manchester United in the League Cup, have climbed to second in the Championship but if anybody can halt their charge it is Wolves, who lead the table by eight points and, even at this early stage of the season, look certainties for promotion. A 4-1 win at home to Oldham last Saturday and a 1-0 victory at MK Dons on Boxing Day confirmed that Plymouth are on the upgrade in League One and a point at Blackpool, who have stalled recently, shouldn't be beyond them. Shrewsbury are second in League One on merit but a trip to Southend, who have lost only once at home this campaign, is probably harder than it looks. Cheltenham's rollercoaster of a season in League Two continued over the Christmas holiday when they beat Barnet away 2-0 and then lost at home to Yeovil by the same score. Cheltenham's visitors Newport have more than held their own on their travels this season and I expect them to come away with something. Although Accrington have dropped out of the League Two play-off places, I feel their loss of form is only temporary and believe they will leave mid-table Grimsby with a point.

Away days: Leeds are getting into their stride as 2017 comes to an end and it will be an upset if the fifth-place side in the Championship gain anything less than maximum points at bottom club Birmingham, who cannot shake off their mid-season blues. Fulham are up and running after a fine 4-2 away win over promotion hopefuls Cardiff on Boxing Day and will travel to relegation-threatened Hull with confidence. In League One, mid-table Fleetwood are recommended at Bury, who are being cast adrift of the rest, while Peterborough, two wins out of two over the holiday period, are well worth a punt at MK Dons, who suffered two defeats. Colchester, who have moved into the League Two play-off positions, will really rate their chances at Chesterfield, who occupy one of the two relegation places. Notts County, who are Luton's only genuine title challengers, are an attractive proposition at Swindon, who are terrible at home and lost 5-0 there on Boxing Day.

Homes sweet homes: By all accounts, Bournemouth, in the Premier League relegation zone, were unlucky not to defeat West Ham at the Vitality Stadium on Boxing Day and I believe they are worth supporting against Everton, who have tightened up since Sam Allardyce's appointment as manager but are showing little attacking threat. Brentford have enjoyed a good December in the Championship, including beating Aston Villa, and things could get even better after they have hosted manager-less Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. I'm backing Brentford to take three points, despite Wednesday's impressive Boxing Day victory at Nottingham Forest. Although Crawley's sorry home form has kept them in the bottom half of League Two, I fancy them to edge out fast fading Stevenage, who have lost their last five away.


Pools Info: Tottenham v West Ham (match No 8 on coupon) has been postponed and will be assessed by the pools panel.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Dec 23-24

Ten draws: Burnley v Tottenham, Southampton v Huddersfield, Aston Villa v Sheffield United, Bristol Rovers v Doncaster, Plymouth v Oldham, Shrewsbury v Portsmouth, Barnet v Cheltenham, Forest Green v Carlisle, Celtic v Aberdeen, Motherwell v Dundee.

Best draws: Burnley v Tottenham, Aston Villa v Sheffield United, Plymouth v Oldham, Shrewsbury v Portsmouth, Celtic v Aberdeen.

Best weekend away bets: Crystal Palace, Cardiff, Bristol City, Bradford City, Blackburn, Hearts.

Best weekend home bets: Brighton, Stoke, Fulham, Leeds, Wolves, Charlton, Peterborough, Accrington, Colchester, Crewe.


Pick of the draws: Stuttering Tottenham, who have slipped to seventh in the Premier League after that 4-1 thumping by Manchester City, could have chosen easier opponents than Burnley, who have lost only four league matches this season and have conceded just 12 goals. I expect Spurs to enjoy more possession but to come away from Turf Moor with no more than a draw. Sheffield United, with four defeats and a draw in their past five Championship fixtures, have gone right off the boil but they will be determined to arrest their decline at Aston Villa, who have overtaken them in the table but are not wholly convincing. Plymouth play Oldham in League One this Saturday. Both teams gained a well earned point last weekend (Plymouth at Rotherham, Oldham at Doncaster) and both will probably enjoy better second halves of the season. Oldham are now six points clear of the drop zone after looking certs for relegation and I'll be surprised if they lose to the side sitting in 22nd place. Celtic's magnificent 69-game unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership was brought to a shuddering halt by Hearts last Sunday. I've a hunch Celtic will drop more points this weekend when they play Aberdeen, their most realistic title challengers.

Away days: Roy Hodgson is doing a fabulous job of steering Crystal Palace away from relegation. Their 3-0 victory at Leicester last Saturday spoilt more than a few betting slips and they are well equipped to take three points from Swansea, who are floundering at the foot of the Premier League and have sacked their manager Paul Clement. Cardiff, four points behind leaders Wolves in the race for automatic promotion to the top flight, are recommended at Bolton, whose hopes of escaping relegation from the Championship were dealt a blow when they lost 1-0 at home to Burton last Saturday. A trip to Queens Park Rangers should not faze Bristol City, especially after knocking Manchester United out of the League Cup in midweek, while Bradford City, fourth in League One and boasting eight away wins, are a good bet to overcome struggling Wimbledon. Third-placed Blackburn are strong favourites to prevail at lowly Northampton and Hearts, after beating Celtic 4-0 at home, will look forward to taking on St Johnstone.

Homes sweet homes: Although promoted Brighton are enduring a dodgy spell in the Premier League, Watford, their visitors on Saturday, are leaking goals at an alarming rate and it's worth having a punt on the Seagulls. Stoke host West Bromwich Albion in what will be called a relegation six-pointer. Neither of these sides inspires confidence in their attempts to stay in the Premier League but I believe ground advantage will tip the balance Stoke's way. Crewe halted a wretched run of League Two results by beating Crawley 3-0 at home last weekend. Swindon, their opponents on Saturday, have been slipping down the table and are susceptible to an upset.


Betting info: Nine of my 10 home selections last weekend were correct. Arsenal, Chelsea, Cardiff, Millwall, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Shrewsbury, Coventry and Kilmarnock all obliged.