Pools tips for this weekend December 26-27

Treble chance (home teams): Arsenal, Blackburn, Ipswich, Leicester, Scunthorpe,  Bristol Rovers, Peterborough, Macclesfield, Kilmarnock, Partick. 


Best draws: Arsenal, Scunthorpe, Bristol Rovers, Macclesfield, Kilmarnock. 


Aways: Tottenham, Norwich, Hull, Brentford, Gillingham. 


Homes: Everton, Derby, Reading, Bournemouth, Exeter, Huddersfield, Leyton Orient, Notts County, Port Vale. Because of the severe winter weather, there is again likely to be major disruption to the holiday fixtures. If postponements are the rule rather than the exception, punters are advised to keep an eye on the selections of the pools panel, which should be published the following day in the national newspapers. A happy Christmas to you all. 


Pick of the draws: Arsenal appear to have a mental block when playing the top teams but this time should be the equal of Chelsea, who have had their own problems recently. I am taking Scunthorpe, last but one in the Championship, to end their wretched run of results at home against Preston, who are bottom. Bristol Rovers have slipped into the League One relegation zone and may have to settle for a point against 23rd-placed Walsall, who unexpectedly won at Charlton last week. There are only four points separating Macclesfield (10th) from Morecambe (20th) in League Two, so don’t be surprised if this match ends in deadlock. In the Scottish Premier League, Kilmarnock, who have not drawn at home, host Hearts, who have not drawn away. I predict both sequences to end. 


Away days: Tottenham can strengthen their claims for a Champions League place with victory at Aston Villa, who have struggled since Martin O’Neill’s departure. Norwich’s away form has elevated them into the Championship play-off positions and it is difficult to see relegation-threatened Crystal Palace stopping them. Hull are fancied to continue their improvement at the expense of managerless Sheffield United. In League One, Brentford (five away wins already) look too strong for bottom club Yeovil, and in League Two, Gillingham, who travel to Aldershot, are tipped to gain their fourth consecutive away victory.  


Homes sweet homes: Take a chance on Derby. Despite losing four matches in a row in the Championship, they have not played badly and can turn things around against Doncaster. Reading were one of the sides who beat Derby and maximum points are again likely when they play Bristol City. Leyton Orient are on the upgrade in League One and should be backed to defeat MK Dons, who do not travel well. Paul Ince’s Notts County are showing signs of coming into form, whereas Rochdale, their visitors, are on a downward spiral. County will leapfrog Rochdale if they win.