Pools tips for this weekend January 8-9

Treble chance (home teams): Blackburn, Hull, Reading, Southampton, Stoke, Exeter, Accrington, Wrexham, Dundee, Falkirk.

Best draws: Blackburn, Southampton, Exeter, Wrexham, Dundee.

Aways: Sheffield Wednesday, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Rochdale, Gillingham.

Homes: Chelsea, Doncaster, Millwall, Swansea, Torquay, West Ham, Tranmere, Bradford City, Shrewsbury.


Pick of the draws: Blackburn are still adjusting to the unexpected sacking of manager Sam Allardyce, while their visitors in the FA Cup third round, Queens Park Rangers, seem a good bet for promotion to the Premier League. A draw looks the likeliest result. Ian Holloway's Blackpool have been a revelation in the Premier League this season, yet will be hard-pushed to overcome Southampton, who are second in League One and scoring for fun under Nigel Adkins. MK Dons, without an away draw in League One this season, are tipped to break their habit at mid-table Exeter. In the Blue Square Bet Premier, Wrexham, formidable at home, host Grimsby, who have scored 13 goals in their past two matches. In the Scottish Cup fourth round, Dundee, unbeaten at home in the first division, can hold Premier side Motherwell, who have floundered since the departure of manager Craig Brown.

Away days: League One promotion contenders Sheffield Wednesday to spring an FA Cup shock against Bristol City, despite the latter's improvement in the Championship. Managerless Crystal Palace may be in the Championship relegation zone but take a chance on them winning at Coventry, who are tumbling down the table. Aston Villa gained enormous heart from their 3-3 draw with Chelsea and will approach Saturday's cup tie at Sheffield United in a positive frame of mind. Rochdale look too strong for Dagenham & Redbridge in League One while in League Two, Gillingham will surely prevail at lowly Stockport.

Homes sweet homes: There are bound to be the usual FA Cup surprises and Doncaster, of the Championship, look good for an upset against Wolves, whose away form is atrocious. Birmingham are also abysmal on the road and could easily fall at Millwall, who, like Doncaster, are enjoying a good season in the Championship. League One side Carlisle are tipped to come unstuck after the long journey to League Two team Torquay, and a much-improved West Ham should send Barnsley packing.