Pools tips for this weekend January 28-29

Ten draws: West Brom v Norwich, Tranmere v Huddersfield, Yeovil v Preston, Accrington v Gillingham, Barnet v Crewe, Burton v Oxford, Ebbsfleet v Mansfield, Motherwell v St Johnstone, Brechin v Arbroath, Forfar v Dumbarton.

Best draws: Tranmere v Huddersfield, Yeovil v Preston, Barnet v Crewe, Motherwell v St Johnstone, Forfar v Dumbarton.

Five aways: Manchester United, Charlton, Carlisle, Fleetwood, Morton.

Nine homes: Derby, Hull, Sunderland, Brentford, Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon, Bristol Rovers, Gateshead, Luton.

Pick of the draws: Tranmere have drawn six of their League One home matches; Huddersfield have drawn seven away. I expect another stalemate on Saturday. Preston are having to adapt to the ways of a new manager in Graham Westley, formerly of Stevenage, and I cannot see them gaining more than a point at relegation-threatened Yeovil. There is little to separate Barnet, who have pulled eight points clear of the League Two drop zone, and Crewe, who have won four of their last five games. Motherwell are not the force they were earlier in the season in the Scottish Premier League and can be held by St Johnstone. Lowly Forfar beat the Scottish second division leaders Cowdenbeath last week and I'm backing them to frustrate Dumbarton.

Away days: Manchester United usually rise to the occasion and I believe they will do it again in the FA Cup fourth round at Anfield, where Liverpool have stumbled on numerous occasions this season. Charlton, the runaway leaders of League One, will surely have too much for goal-shy Exeter. Carlisle, who sit just outside the play-off places, are well equipped to take advantage of Hartlepool's wretched home form. Blue Square Premier League leaders Fleetwood, with 12 away victories already this season, will feel confident travelling to mid-table Forest Green while in the Scottish first division Morton can inflict more pain on bottom club Queen of South.

Homes sweet homes: Take a punt on Derby, the in-form team of the Championship, to knock Premier League Stoke out of the FA Cup. Nigel Clough's side have won their last five home matches. Rochdale, with a new manager in John Coleman at the helm, can surprise Bury in League One. AFC Wimbledon have halted their slump in League Two and are a good bet to beat Aldershot, who keep sliding. Bristol Rovers can follow their coupon-busting win at promotion-seeking Cheltenham last Saturday by defeating Bradford City.

Pools tips for this weekend January 21-22

 Ten draws: Fulham v Newcastle, Stoke v West Brom, Sunderland v Swansea, Bristol City v Doncaster, Burnley v Derby, Bury v Yeovil, Charlton v Sheffield United, Notts County v MK Dons, Rotherham v Port Vale, Shrewsbury v Southend.


Best draws: Stoke v West Brom, Sunderland v Swansea, Burnley v Derby, Notts County v MK Dons, Rotherham v Port Vale.


Five aways: Middlesbrough, Brighton, Stevenage, Accrington, Barnet.


Nine homes: Queens Park Rangers, Barnsley, Birmingham, Reading, Bournemouth, Oldham, Wycombe, Cheltenham, Gillingham.


Pick of the draws: West Brom's better results have been when they've played away, so don't be surprised if they come away from Stoke with a Premier League point. Swansea are buzzing at the moment, especially in the light of their deserved victory over Arsenal last Sunday, and can share the spoils against another revitalised team, Sunderland. Just one point and two places separate Derby (8th) from Burnley (10th) in the Championship and stalemate is the likeliest result at Turf Moor. MK Dons, of League One, gave QPR a real run for their money before bowing out of the FA Cup this week and that should stand them in good stead at Notts County. Two out-of-form teams in League Two, Rotherham and Port Vale, meet at Rotherham. I expect deadlock.


Away days: Bottom club Coventry are seven points off safety in the Championship and promotion-seeking Middlesbrough can increase their woe. Brighton have gained a new lease of life which should enable them to gain maximum points at Peterborough. Stevenage's form has been outstanding and although they have lost their manager, Graham Westley, to Preston, they will surely be too strong for Scunthorpe in League One. In League Two, away specialists Accrington are a confident selection to prevail at Aldershot while Barnet, impressive away winners last Saturday, will feel they can do it again at bottom club Northampton.


Homes sweet homes: Queens Park Rangers have won only once at home in the Premier League this season, but they should rectify that against bottom club Wigan. Normal service seems to have been resumed at Reading after their ignominious FA Cup exit by Stevenage and I expect them to beat Hull, who are just below them in the Championship. By all accounts Oldham were unlucky to lose their League One match at Huddersfield last Saturday and they will probably take their frustration out on Exeter. Have a punt on Wycombe defeating Rochdale in the battle of the strugglers. 

Pools tips for this weekend January 14-15

Ten draws: Chelsea v Sunderland, West Brom v Norwich, Nottingham Forest v Southampton, Bournemouth v Notts County, MK Dons v Carlisle, Yeovil v Tranmere, Plymouth v Burton, Rotherham v Swindon, Shrewsbury v Gillingham, Dunfermline v Hibernian.

Best draws: Chelsea v Sunderland, Bournemouth v Notts County, MK Dons v Carlisle, Plymouth v Burton, Rotherham v Swindon.

Five aways: Cardiff, Blackpool, Birmingham, Sheffield United, Stevenage.

Nine homes: Tottenham, Brighton, Derby, Hull, Preston, Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford, Dagenham & Redbridge, Macclesfield.

Pick of the draws: Chelsea, despite their Premier League victory at Wolves two weeks ago, don't look a settled team whereas visitors Sunderland have come on leaps and bounds under Martin O'Neill's managership. Bournemouth have recovered well from their slow start to the season in League One while Notts County will feel upbeat after their deserved win at Championship side Doncaster in the FA Cup third round. MK Dons were within minutes of knocking Queens Park Rangers out of the Cup but the form of their opponents, Carlisle, has been just as convincing. In League Two, Plymouth are playing better than their bottom placing suggests and can give Burton a run for their money. Visitors Swindon are on a high after their Cup heroics but Rotherham are no mugs at home.

Away days: Cardiff are a good bet to prevail at Doncaster, who will do well to avoid relegation from the Championship. The force is with Blackpool - in sharp contrast to Ipswich, who cannot stop conceding goals. On the other hand, Millwall are averaging less than a goal a game and Birmingham can take advantage. In League One, promotion-chasing Sheffield United are tipped to continue their winning habit when they go to Bury while in-form Stevenage will surely be too strong for relegation-threatened Rochdale.

Homes sweet homes: I'm taking third-placed League One side Sheffield Wednesday, fresh from beating West Ham in the Cup and unbeaten at Hillsborough this season, to edge their clash with leaders Charlton. Despite their 19th position in League Two, Bradford City are getting their act together and can upset Morecambe. Dagenham & Redbridge did themselves proud by holding Millwall to a goalless draw in the Cup and are worth backing against fellow strugglers Hereford. Spirits are high at Macclesfield after their thrilling 2-2 Cup draw against Premier League Bolton and they'll be confident of defeating Torquay.

Pools tips for this weekend January 7-8

Ten draws: Brighton v Wrexham, Coventry v Southampton, Derby v Crystal Palace, Hull v Ipswich, Manchester City v Manchester United, Nottingham Forest v Leicester, Peterborough v Sunderland, West Brom v Cardiff, Tranmere v Brentford, Raith v Morton.


Best draws: Coventry v Southampton, Hull v Ipswich, Manchester City v Manchester United, Nottingham Forest v Leicester, Peterborough v Sunderland.


Five aways: Swansea, Bristol City, Notts County, Wigan, Oxford.


Nine homes: Birmingham, Fulham, Middlesbrough, MK Dons, Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham, Watford, Chesterfield, Crewe.


Pick of the draws: It's FA Cup third-round weekend and Coventry, bottom of the Championship, can provide one of the upsets by holding leaders Southampton, who have lost their last two league fixtures. Coventry were resolute in defeat at West Ham on Monday and are showing signs of recovery. Hull were pointless over Christmas and that may affect their confidence against visiting Ipswich. I expect the eagerly awaited Manchester derby to go to a replay and Forest v Leicester has all the makings of another stalemate. Both teams recorded fine away wins on Monday - Forest at Ipswich, Leicester at Palace. Martin O'Neill's revitalised Sunderland should really prevail at Peterborough but their opponents have a good cup tradition and should not be underestimated. 


Away days: Swansea stopped their barren away run at Aston Villa on Monday and will be confident of further success against Barnsley, of the Championship. League Two leaders Crawley are formidable at home but will probably find in-form Bristol City too strong. League One Notts County have stumbled recently yet have enough ability to surprise Championship strugglers Doncaster. I'm taking Wigan to make their superiority count against League Two promotion contenders Swindon. Oxford have gained  some momentum in League Two and I believe they will beat Aldershot.


Homes sweet homes: Birmingham are unbeaten at home in the Championship, so don't be surprised if they knock Premier Leaguers Wolves, who struggle away, out of the Cup. League One flyers MK Dons can administer a giant-killing when they face Queens Park Rangers, who are having a terrible run. Promotion-seeking Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten at Hillsborough and must be fancying their chances of an upset against West Ham, who have looked less than convincing recently. In League One, take a punt on bottom club Chesterfield gaining a rare victory over Exeter, who do not travel well.