Pools tips for weekend of January 19-20

Ten draws: Newcastle v Reading, West Ham v Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn v Charlton, Ipswich v Barnsley, Peterborough v Hull, Sheffield Wednesday v Wolves, Brentford v Tranmere, Northampton v Burton, Oxford v Rotherham, Raith v Hamilton.

Best draws: Newcastle v Reading, Ipswich v Barnsley, Peterborough v Hull, Sheffield Wednesday v Wolves, Northampton v Burton.

Five aways: Brighton, Stevenage, AFC Wimbledon, Exeter, Chesterfield.

Nine homes: Liverpool, Leeds, Watford, Crewe, Hartlepool, Swindon, Walsall, Barnet, Southend.


Pick of the draws: Reading are making a spirited attempt to climb out of the Premier League's relegation zone and look well worth a point at Newcastle, who are in turmoil. Relegation favourites Barnsley, under new manager Dave Flitcroft, gained a morale-boosting victory over Leeds in the Championship last weekend and can follow that up with a point at Portman Road, where Ipswich have struggled. Promotion-seeking Hull were taken to extra time by League One Leyton Orient in an FA Cup third-round replay and may feel the effects of that when they travel to lowly Peterborough. Wolves seem a better proposition under new manager Dean Saunders and should at least share the spoils at Sheffield Wednesday, another team who are in trouble. Burton are making strong claims for promotion from League Two and can stop Northampton's run of home wins.

Away days: In-form Brighton are recommended at Birmingham, who are hovering just above the Championship relegation zone. The away record of Stevenage has kept them in the top half of League One and should serve them well against relegation-threatened Bury. Considering their low position in League Two, AFC Wimbledon have done well on their travels and I'm taking them to prevail at Accrington, who are sliding down the table. Third-placed Exeter have already won nine times on the road. They must be fancied to make it 10 when they visit bottom club Bristol Rovers. Chesterfield have a good opportunity to shake off their away blues against off-form Torquay.

Homes sweet homes: Crewe, adapting well to League One after last season's promotion, are worth a punt against MK Dons, although the latter showed their capabilities by knocking Sheffield Wednesday out of the FA Cup. Bottom club Hartlepool are also worth supporting against the free-falling Colchester, even though the hosts have won only two league games this season. Few sides are playing better than Walsall and I believe they will halt Bournemouth's surge up the table. In League Two, Barnet are making rapid strides under new manager Edgar Davids and can upset the Football League newcomers Fleetwood, who are much better placed.