Pools tips for this weekend December 11-12

Treble chance (home teams): Stoke, Wolves, Burnley, Leicester, Oldham, Barnet, Chesterfield, Macclesfield, Dundee United, St Mirren. 


Best draws: Stoke, Wolves, Barnet, Chesterfield, Macclesfield. 


Aways: Liverpool, Manchester City, Derby, Cardiff, MK Dons. 


Homes: Bolton, Everton, Tottenham, Preston, Reading, Bournemouth, Carlisle, Charlton, Bradford City.  


Pick of the draws: Blackpool have won many friends with the way they have entertained this season and look good for a point at Stoke. Next-to-bottom Wolves are desperate for maximum points but their opponents, Birmingham, are resilient and can add to their five away draws. In League Two, Accrington are also away draw specialists, having been involved in seven stalemates on the road. They are tipped to make it eight at Barnet. Play-off contenders Torquay have lost only once on their travels. I expect them to collect a point at second-placed Chesterfield, who have lost their past two home matches. Two consecutive victories have enabled Gillingham to lose their away inferiority complex and they can hold Macclesfield. 


Away days: Newcastle have been rocked by the surprise sacking of manager Chris Hughton, whereas Liverpool have revived under Roy Hodgson, climbing to eighth place. I expect them to maintain their improvement at St James’ Park. Manchester City played their best football of the season when winning at Fulham two weeks ago and should repeat the dose against bottom club West Ham. Derby have dropped out of the Championship play-off places after two consecutive defeats, but I back them to return to winning ways at Bristol City. Promotion-chasing Cardiff have had a wobble but will probably steady themselves against relegation-threatened Middlesbrough. In League One, MK Dons to beat struggling Notts County, who are managed by former Dons boss Paul Ince. 


Homes sweet homes: I expect Bolton, flourishing under Owen Coyle, to defeat Blackburn, who are not the same force away from Ewood Park. Chelsea are losing ground in a fascinating Premier League title race and in-form Tottenham are in the mood to cash in at White Hart Lane. Preston, bottom of the Championship, are in desperate need of maximum points and will never have a better chance of getting them against Ipswich, who are in freefall, having lost their last five in the league. Middle-of-the-table Reading are fancied to dent the promotion ambitions of Coventry.