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

Ten draws: Wolves v Aston Villa, Derby v Stoke, Nottingham Forest v Brentford, Doncaster v Gillingham, Ipswich v Portsmouth, Lincoln v Sunderland, Swindon v Fleetwood, Forest Green v Cambridge, Salford v Cheltenham, St Johnstone v Livingston.

Best draws: Wolves v Aston Villa, Derby v Stoke, Ipswich v Portsmouth, Lincoln v Sunderland, Salford v Cheltenham.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Tottenham, Liverpool, Watford, Accrington, Rangers, Hibernian.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Leicester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Blackpool, Bristol Rovers, Peterborough, Carlisle, Morecambe, Celtic.

Pick of the draws: Wolves were beaten 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday and it could have been more. However, Aston Villa have also slipped up recently and stalemate looks the likeliest outcome. Derby's 1-0 win at Millwall last weekend lifted them off the foot of the Championship table but they face a Stoke side who are contesting the play-off places. However, they have shown enough improvement under Wayne Rooney's interim management to gain a draw. Portsmouth are coming on strong in League One and will fancy their chances of at least a point at Ipswich, even though Ipswich came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Plymouth last Saturday. I believe Sunderland have made a good managerial appointment in Lee Johnson. They face a tough test at second-placed Lincoln, which I think they'll pass. Cheltenham, strong promotion contenders in League Two, may have to settle for a share of the spoils at Salford, who will probably be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

Away days: Premier League leaders Tottenham are the pride of London at the moment and should account for Crystal Palace, although Palace scored five at West Brom last Sunday. Liverpool, having crushed Leicester (3-0) and Wolves (4-0) at Anfield, won't fear a trip to Fulham, who are just above the relegation zone. Watford regained their composure and third place with a midweek 2-0 home victory over Rotherham in the Championship and I reckon they'll have too much for goal-shy Birmingham. In League One, Accrington, now lying seventh, continue to confound the pundits and are recommended at bottom club Wigan. Rangers, 11 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, look banker material at Dundee United and Hibernian will also start firm favourites at Hamilton.

Homes sweet homes: Cardiff, with four consecutive Championship wins behind them, have the momentum and I'm tipping them to see off Swansea in the Welsh derby. Bristol Rovers are finding the net again under Paul Tisdale's managership, having beaten non-League Darlington 6-0 in the FA Cup second round and put four past Wimbledon last weekend. They are worth a punt against Plymouth, who are fading fast. Neil Lennon is coming under intense pressure at Celtic, who are out of the Europa League and are way behind Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Despite all the speculation and unrest, I believe they'll stop the rot against Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of December 5-6

Ten draws: Chelsea v Leeds, West Brom v Crystal Palace, Stoke v Middlesbrough, Watford v Cardiff, Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers, Fleetwood v Blackpool, Cambridge v Oldham, Cheltenham v Exeter, Mansfield v Crawley, St Mirren v Aberdeen.

Best draws: Chelsea v Leeds, Watford v Cardiff, Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham v Exeter, Mansfield v Crawley.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Everton, Manchester United, Doncaster, Charlton, Salford, Kilmarnock.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Manchester City, Tottenham, Bristol City, Coventry, Reading, Swansea, Accrington, Sunderland, Bolton, Newport.

Pick of the draws: Leeds' 12th position in the Premier League looks false judging by the way they played when drawing with Arsenal at home and defeating Everton away. I expect their enterprising, attacking style to test Chelsea, despite the Londoners occupying third place on merit. At first glance Watford's task against Cardiff in the Championship on Saturday seems a straightforward affair but Cardiff recorded resounding home victories over Luton last Saturday and Huddersfield in midweek and may prove difficult to beat. Wimbledon's FA Cup exit at the hands of League Two Crawley last Sunday wasn't the best preparation for the visit of Bristol Rovers, who went on a goal spree against Darlington. League Two high-fliers Cheltenham and Exeter meet on Saturday. Both won in midweek and both reached the FA Cup third round last weekend by eliminating supposedly superior opponents. Crawley's reliable away form should serve them well at lowly Mansfield but the hosts have been boosted by Nigel Clough's appointment as manager.

Away days: Burnley look set for a long, hard winter. Manchester City put five past them last Saturday, so this is a golden opportunity for Everton to get back on the winning track. Manchester United's away record this season is outstanding. Recent wins have come at Everton and Southampton, the latter after going in at the interval 2-0 down, so they are in the mood to add West Ham to their list of victims. In League One, Doncaster seem on the upgrade and well equipped to take three points at Northampton. The same goes for fourth-placed Charlton, who visit struggling Shrewsbury. I believe Salford will improve their League Two promotion prospects by beating Barrow and Kilmarnock will surely rate their chances at bottom club Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership.

Homes sweet homes: Tottenham beat Arsenal at home towards the end of last season and now that they are Premier League leaders will be confident of doing the same on Sunday. An ailing Arsenal badly need a good result but it's hard to see them getting it against Jose Mourinho's Spurs. Late away goals in their past two Championship games have helped Coventry in their fight to avoid relegation. The goals gained 1-1 draws at Norwich and Derby and I think they'll go one better on Saturday by beating Rotherham. Bolton have put their nightmare start to the season behind them in League Two and I expect Port Vale, their opponents, to suffer.

Pools info: The Friday match between Aston Villa v Newcastle (No 1 on coupon) has been postponed  because of the coronavirus and will go down as void. Brighton v Southampton (2) is being played on Monday and will be assessed by the pools panel.

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

Ten draws: Chelsea v Tottenham, Everton v Leeds, West Bromwich v Sheffield United, Birmingham v Millwall, Huddersfield v Middlesbrough, Reading v Bristol City, Carlisle v Doncaster, Plymouth v Lincoln, Livingston v Ayr, Albion v Stirling.

Best draws: Chelsea v Tottenham, Everton v Leeds, Reading v Bristol City, Carlisle v Doncaster, Livingston v Ayr.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Liverpool, Bournemouth, Oldham, Hull, Dunfermline, Stranraer.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Manchester City, Southampton, Derby, Norwich, Watford, Bolton, Bristol Rovers, Gillingham, Stockport, Queen's Park.

Pick of the draws: Premier League leaders Tottenham, conquerors of Manchester City last Saturday, and third-placed Chelsea are two of the in-form sides in the top flight. Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, who played under Jose Mourinho when both were at Stamford Bridge, won't want to be outsmarted by his old boss and deadlock is the most likely outcome. Everton returned to winning ways at Fulham but will probably find Leeds tougher opponents. Fourteenth position does not do Leeds justice and they were unlucky not to beat Arsenal last Sunday. I'm taking third-placed Bristol City to come away with something at Reading, who have fallen from first to sixth in the Championship. League One Doncaster will start favourites at Carlisle in the FA Cup second round but I'm tipping Carlisle, sixth in League Two, to take the tie to extra time and penalties. In the Scottish League Cup, Ayr, who are doing well in the Championship, could easily deny Premiership strugglers Livingston victory.

Away days: It's impossible to ignore the claims of Liverpool at Brighton in the Saturday lunchtime game. The Merseysiders, despite being without several injured players last Sunday, swept Leicester aside and I expect them to do something similar to Brighton. Bournemouth, in second place, have lost only once in the Championship this season and I can't see Rotherham threatening that record. Oldham have recorded two consecutive away wins in League Two. In the FA Cup on Saturday they go to Bradford City, where I think they'll make it three. There's no stopping League One leaders Hull at the moment and they'll be confident of FA Cup success at League Two Stevenage. Dunfermline should make Scottish League Cup progress at Arbroath's expense and Stranraer, in Scottish League Two, are a confident selection at bottom club Brechin.

Homes sweet homes: Southampton, flying high in the Premier League, are a delight to watch these days and well worth a punt when they host inconsistent Manchester United. Although Derby are at the foot of the Championship, they showed signs of improvement when losing narrowly at Bristol City last Saturday and can gain three badly needed points against Wycombe, who are also in the drop zone. Two National League teams, Stockport and Yeovil, contest the FA Cup second round on Saturday. Stockport are enjoying a far better season and it will be surprising if they don't make use of home advantage.

Pools info: I scored five draws out of ten last weekend: Leeds v Arsenal (0-0), Luton v Blackburn (1-1), Accrington v Lincoln (0-0), Barrow v Forest Green (2-2) and Scunthorpe v Morecambe (1-1).

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

Ten draws: Leeds v Arsenal, Tottenham v Manchester City, Barnsley v Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth v Reading, Luton v Blackburn, Preston v Sheffield Wednesday, Accrington v Lincoln, MK Dons v Hull, Barrow v Forest Green, Scunthorpe v Morecambe.

Best draws: Leeds v Arsenal, Bournemouth v Reading, Preston v Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons v Hull, Barrow v Forest Green.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Leicester, Chelsea, Cardiff, Watford, Brentford, Wimbledon.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Middlesbrough, Swansea, Ipswich, Peterborough, Cheltenham, Crawley, Exeter, Mansfield (Friday), Newport, Dundee United.

Pick of the draws: A fascinating game in prospect at Elland Road on Sunday: Leeds can't defend and Arsenal can't attack. Leeds have recently conceded four against Leicester (home) and Crystal Palace (away) while Arsenal have failed to score at home against Leicester and Aston Villa, so the match is finely balanced. Although leaders Reading lost 3-0 at home to Stoke in their last Championship outing, the scoreline was harsh on them and I feel they will partly make amends at Bournemouth, who have only lost once in the league this season. Tony Pulis is back in football as manager of struggling Sheffield Wednesday, who could pinch something at Preston. The Lancashire side have yet to win a league fixture at Deepdale this season. MK Dons sprang a surprise in League One last weekend by winning 2-1 at Sunderland. I believe they'll again upset the form book by holding second-placed Hull. In League Two, there are signs that Barrow, promoted from the National League, are getting into their stride. They denied high-riding Cambridge victory last Saturday and I think they'll do the same to Forest Green, who have encountered some recent setbacks.

Away days: Premier League leaders Leicester must have a great chance of beating injury-hit Liverpool at Anfield. Liverpool, the reigning champions, are likely to be without at least five regular first-team players and Leicester, who have not dropped a point away so far, are well equipped to take advantage. Chelsea, just outside the top four, seem to have solved their defensive problems and must be fancied at Newcastle. Cardiff are better than their 15th position in the Championship indicates and are worth a wager at Millwall, who convince one week and disappoint the next. Promotion candidates Watford should assert their superiority over Queens Park Rangers and mid-table Brentford are recommended at lowly Wycombe. I expect League One Wimbledon to celebrate their return to their Plough Lane ground by winning at Rochdale.

Homes sweet homes: Middlesbrough look like being in the Championship promotion mix under manager Neil Warnock. They give little away and are worth a punt against Norwich, who are higher in the table. On present form there's not much to choose between Crawley (ninth) and Carlisle (sixth) in League Two but I reckon ground advantage will give Crawley the edge. Nigel Clough has won his first three matches as Mansfield's manager and I believe the run will continue when Mansfield host Colchester on Friday.

Weekend info: Burnley v Crystal Palace (No 2 on coupon) and Wolves v Southampton (10) will be assessed by the pools panel. Mansfield v Colchester (39) is void.

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

Ten draws: Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood, Northampton v Accrington, Bradford City v Exeter, Carlisle v Cheltenham, Colchester v Leyton Orient, Harrogate v Crawley, Portugal v France, Sweden v Croatia, Hungary v Serbia, Albania v Kazakhstan.

Best draws: Northampton v Accrington, Bradford City v Exeter, Colchester v Leyton Orient, Harrogate v Crawley, Sweden v Croatia.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Peterborough, Mansfield, Stockport, Spain, Scotland, Greece.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Hull, Shrewsbury, Sunderland, Cambridge, Morecambe, Oldham, Barnet, Torquay, Netherlands, Austria.

Pick of the draws: Northampton and Accrington, both from League One, went out of the FA Cup first round to sides from a lower division and you wouldn't put money on either to win at the moment. By scoring seven in the FA Cup last weekend, League Two Bradford City showed signs of awakening but Exeter, again among the division's front-runners, will be tougher opponents than Tonbridge Angels. Colchester may still be reeling from their elimination by non-League Marine and Leyton Orient will feel they are in with a shout here. Crawley twice fought back from two goals down to win an enthralling FA Cup tie 6-5 at Torquay, who lead the National League. That sort of spirit should serve them well at Harrogate. Croatia don't seem to be the force they were in the last World Cup when they were beaten finalists and could be denied victory by Sweden as the European Nations programme resumes.

Away days: Peterborough, League One leaders and on a roll, look an away banker at Crewe, who are averaging less than a goal a game in this division. Mansfield, now managed by Nigel Clough, caused one of the biggest FA Cup upsets by winning at Sunderland last Saturday and can also surprise Forest Green, who lost heavily to Lincoln on the same day. Stockport, of the National League, beat League One Rochdale 2-1 away last weekend, so won't be fazed by having to visit lowly Dagenham & Redbridge. In the European Nations, Spain should be too strong for Switzerland while Scotland, revitalised under Steve Clarke's managership, are fancied to defeat Slovakia. Greece will probably come away from Moldova with three points.

Homes sweet homes: Shrewsbury, having beaten Cambridge and Crewe away in their past two games, are tipped to make it a hat-trick of wins when manager-less Swindon come to visit in League One. Barnet, of the National League, recorded a famous victory when their 10 men hung on to send League One Burton crashing out of the FA Cup last Sunday and I reckon they'll send Bromley home pointless. I expect Austria's improvement to be confirmed when they play Northern Ireland in the European Nations. 

Weekend pools info: The following matches have been postponed because of international call-ups and will be assessed by the pools panel: Wimbledon v Wigan (No 1 on coupon), Charlton v Rochdale (3), Lincoln v Gillingham (6), Oxford v Doncaster (8) and Grimsby v Newport (16).

More info: Five of my ten draws last weekend were Brentford v Middlesbrough (0-0), Ayr v Dunfermline (0-0), Huesca v Eibar (1-1), Atalanta v Inter Milan (1-1) and Parma v Fiorentina (0-0).