Pools tips for weekend of December 7-8

Ten draws: Sunderland v Tottenham, West Bromwich v Norwich, Ipswich v Huddersfield, Millwall v Wigan, Yeovil v Charlton, Ross v Kilmarnock, Falkirk v Raith, Arbroath v Stranraer, Elgin v Berwick, Cagliari v Genoa.

Best draws: Ipswich v Huddersfield, Millwall v Wigan, Yeovil v Charlton, Ross v Kilmarnock, Falkirk v Raith.

Best weekend away bets: Chelsea, Leicester, Inverness, Livingston, Dundee, Burton (not on coupon).

Best weekend home bets: Crystal Palace, Burnley, Derby, Leeds, Queens Park Rangers, Reading, Dundee United, Hamilton, Bristol Rovers (not on coupon), Grimsby (not on coupon). 


Pick of the draws: Ipswich and Huddersfield, with wins last Saturday and in midweek, are climbing into play-off contention in the Championship and there is little to choose between the sides. Wigan are without a manager following the unexpected sacking of Owen Coyle after only six months in charge but they should be sufficiently equipped to take a point off Millwall, who are perilously close to the relegation zone. Third from bottom Yeovil have given themselves a lifeline with two consecutive victories but find goals hard to come by - just like Charlton, their opponents on Saturday. Third from bottom Ross and second last Kilmarnock are two underachievers in this season's Scottish Premiership and the smart money is on a stalemate. Raith will have gained much satisfaction from their away win at Dundee in last weekend's Scottish Cup fourth round, so expect them to hold Falkirk in their Scottish Championship fixture.

Away days: Chelsea are gaining momentum in the Premier League and must be fancied at Stoke, who are struggling to adjust to the methods of new manager Mark Hughes. Championship leaders Leicester's shock defeat by Sheffield Wednesday was probably only a blip and I'm backing them to return to winning ways at Brighton. Inverness Caledonian Thistle appear to be Celtic's only challengers for the Scottish Premiership title and they ought to be too strong for St Mirren. In the Scottish Championship, Livingston are a confident selection to prevail at lowly Cowdenbeath while Dundee look too strong for bottom club Morton. It's the FA Cup second round at the weekend and Burton, with their splendid away record, are worth a punt at Fleetwood, who are not as strong at home as on their travels.

Homes sweet homes: Crystal Palace are stirring under new manager Tony Pulis and three points against West Ham last night should give them the confidence to beat Cardiff. Having three players sent off in their midweek defeat at Yeovil will surely handicap Blackpool at Derby, who have a wonderful opportunity to improve their home form. Looking for upsets in the FA Cup, I've a hunch that League Two Bristol Rovers will knock out off-colour Crawley, from League One, and that non-League Grimsby, from the Skrill Premier, will send Northampton packing. 

Pools info: Motherwell v Celtic (match No 25 on the coupon) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.