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.