Pools tips for weekend of December 15-16

Ten draws: Bolton v Charlton, Leeds v Ipswich, Millwall v Leicester, Doncaster v Coventry, Shrewsbury v Carlisle, Walsall v Yeovil, AFC Wimbledon v Rotherham, Cheltenham v Port Vale, Chesterfield v Burton, Forfar v Arbroath.

Best draws: Leeds v Ipswich, Millwall v Leicester, Walsall v Yeovil, AFC Wimbledon v Rotherham, Cheltenham v Port Vale.

Five aways: Everton, Crystal Palace, Derby, Wycombe, Livingston.

Nine homes: Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers, Blackpool, Cardiff, Middlesbrough, Bournemouth, Crewe, Leyton Orient, Portsmouth.


Pick of the draws: Ipswich have made rapid strides under new manager Mick McCarthy, moving clear of the Championship relegation zone. They are in the mood to give inconsistent Leeds a good game at Elland Road and earn a point. Millwall have been one of the surprise packets of the season and I'm taking them to share the points with promotion-seeking Leicester at the Den. Walsall's poor home form has had them struggling in League One while mid-table Yeovil's away record has stood them in good stead. Stalemate is the likeliest result. AFC Wimbledon won a lot of friends in defeat against MK Dons in the FA Cup and they are capable of holding Rotherham in League Two. The top-of-the-table clash between Cheltenham (3rd) and Port Vale (2nd) looks like ending in deadlock.

Away days: Everton's late, late victory over Tottenham last weekend should encourage them to gain maximum points at Stoke, who are averaging less than a goal a game. Crystal Palace, second in the Championship, suffered a blip against Blackpool but I believe they will recover quickly at the expense of Birmingham, who are struggling to get their act together. Nigel Clough's Derby are due a good result away from home and could get it at Bristol City, who have already lost six times at Ashton Gate. In League Two, Wycombe can take advantage of Accrington's recent stumbles and in the Scottish First Division, Livingston look a good thing at bottom club Dumbarton.

Homes sweet homes: The fixture against mid-table Fulham could be the last-chance saloon for Queens Park Rangers, who are still without a win in 16 Premier League matches. Expect them to break their duck at Loftus Road on Saturday. Blackpool can end their run of draws at home in the Championship by beating underachieving Blackburn. Eddie Howe's Bournemouth are on a roll in League One and are a hot tip to see off ailing Colchester. Cash-strapped Portsmouth gained a creditable draw at leaders Tranmere last Saturday and can go one better against not-so-proud Preston.