Pools tips for weekend of January 12-13

Ten draws: Arsenal v Manchester City, Fulham v Wigan, Burnley v Crystal Palace, Huddersfield v Birmingham, Bournemouth v Swindon, Colchester v Scunthorpe, Leyton Orient v Crewe, Stevenage v Doncaster, Chesterfield v Northampton, Exeter v Southend.

Best draws: Arsenal v Manchester City, Fulham v Wigan, Bournemouth v Swindon, Colchester v Scunthorpe, Leyton Orient v Crewe.

Five aways: Chelsea, Leeds, Leicester, Notts County, Walsall.

Nine homes: Sunderland, Bolton, Cardiff, Hull, Nottingham Forest, MK Dons, Sheffield United, AFC Wimbledon, Dagenham & Redbridge.

Pick of the draws: The absence of Yaya Toure (away at Africa Cup of Nations) and Sergio Aguero (injured) may restrict Manchester City to a draw at Arsenal, although a point apiece won't do either team any favours. You never know which Arsenal is going to turn up but on their day they are a match for City. Wigan's 3-0 victory at Aston Villa on December 29 will encourage them to believe they can get something from their visit to Fulham, who could be sucked into the relegation battle. Bournemouth and Swindon, two of the in-form sides in League One, play each other on Saturday and neither will be vanquished easily. Relegation-haunted Scunthorpe have been improving under new manager Brian Laws, whereas their hosts, Colchester, are in freefall. Leyton Orient have not drawn at home all season but that could change when Crewe visit Brisbane Road. These are two evenly matched teams.

Away days: A revitalised Chelsea have had two big away wins recently - against Leeds in the League Cup and Southampton in the FA Cup. These should serve them well at Stoke, who have yet to lose at home. However, there is a first time for everything. In the Championship, I fancy Leeds to take advantage of Barnsley's plight at the bottom of the table while promotion-seeking Leicester look a good bet to take maximum points at lowly Bristol City. League One middle-of-the-table Notts County have not lost on their travels this season. That record will surely continue when they visit Portsmouth, who look doomed for the drop. Walsall have made rapid strides recently and I'm backing them to carry on the good work against disappointing Preston.

Homes sweet homes: Martin O'Neill's Sunderland are perking up and will probably relish the visit of injury-troubled West Ham. Bolton's position in the bottom half of the Championship does not do them justice, so don't be surprised if they beat seventh-placed Millwall. AFC Wimbledon have climbed out of the League Two relegation zone thanks to away wins at Torquay and Rochdale. They will be looking for another maximum haul when they host Wycombe. Dagenham & Redbridge continue to punch above their weight and are worth a punt against inconsistent Rochdale, who are two places above them.