Pools tips for weekend of February 1-2

Ten draws: Bournemouth v Leicester, Doncaster v Middlesbrough, Millwall v Reading, Coventry v Walsall, Crewe v Sheffield United, Gillingham v Port Vale, Swindon v Oldham, Bury v Wycombe, Hartlepool v Scunthorpe, Plymouth v Mansfield.

Best draws: Bournemouth v Leicester, Doncaster v Middlesbrough, Coventry v Walsall, Swindon v Oldham, Hartlepool v Scunthorpe.

Best weekend away bets: Southampton, Manchester United, Swansea, Derby, Brighton, Brentford.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Blackburn, Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol City, Crawley, Rotherham, Accrington, Burton, Oxford.


Pick of the draws: Bournemouth played well for large parts of their FA Cup fourth-round defeat by Liverpool last Saturday and I'm backing them to end Leicester's eight-game winning streak at the top of the Championship. Middlesbrough have improved under new managership but Doncaster will have been encouraged by their last two results and I believe they will share the spoils in this one. In League One, Coventry have been handicapped having to play their home matches on Northampton's ground, while Walsall's away record is impressive. The signs point towards a stalemate. Oldham are in the wrong half of League One but are capable of upsetting superior opposition, as in their astonishing 5-4 comeback victory over Peterborough last weekend. Don't be surprised if they dent Swindon's play-off prospects. League Two high-flyers Scunthorpe relinquished a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Dagenham & Redbridge last Saturday. On that evidence they will struggle to beat Hartlepool, who returned to form by defeating York.

Away days: Southampton were unlucky not to beat Arsenal in midweek. A repeat of that performance will surely be too good for Fulham, who show no signs of climbing clear of the Premier League danger zone. Manchester United have been given a lift by the signing of Juan Mata. They are well worth a bet at Stoke, who offered little in their FA Cup defeat by Chelsea last Sunday and look a poor side. Swansea, who gained a much needed victory against Fulham in midweek, are on course for another three points against an injury-stricken West Ham. In the Championship, in-form Derby are a confident selection at Birmingham, who cannot buy a win at home, and I expect Brighton to maintain their improvement at the expense of underachieving Watford. League One leaders Brentford go from strength to strength and should relish their trip to relegation-fearing Shrewsbury.

Homes sweet homes: Bristol City seemed doomed to relegation to League Two a few weeks ago but they are right back in the mix now. Their opponents on Saturday, Carlisle, have lost their last five away games, so City should see this as a wonderful opportunity. Rotherham are as good as any League One team on their day, which must give them a fighting chance against second-placed Leyton Orient. Accrington eased their relegation worries from League Two with a priceless away win over fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers. That may give them the confidence to push on and defeat Morecambe on Saturday.


Pools info: Manchester City v Chelsea (match No 6 on the coupon) has been put back to Monday and the pools panel will adjudicate.

Pools tips for weekend of January 25-26

Ten draws: Motherwell v Aberdeen, Falkirk v Dundee, East Fife v Forfar, Albion v Berwick, Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao, Livorno v Sassuolo, Sampdoria v Bologna, Verona v Roma, Bordeaux v St Etienne, Montpellier v Nice.

Best draws: Motherwell v Aberdeen, Falkirk v Dundee, Albion v Berwick, Sampdoria v Bologna, Verona v Roma.

Best weekend away bets: Cardiff, Reading, Portsmouth, Inverness, Queen of South, Dunfermline.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Port Vale, Wigan, Blackpool, Swindon, Ross, Raith, Rangers, Peterhead, Stirling.

Pick of the draws: Motherwell have not drawn at home in the Scottish Premiership this season but that statistic may well change when Aberdeen come visiting. Motherwell, who are third, and Aberdeen, who are second, have no chance of catching Celtic and will probably be even further behind after Saturday. Third-placed Falkirk have moved into the Scottish Championship promotion reckoning and look capable of sharing the spoils with leaders Dundee, who are only three points better off. Berwick's big victory over Stirling in Scottish League Two last weekend came out of nowhere but if they play as well at Albion they will come away with a point. Struggling Bologna held high-flying Napoli in the Italian League last weekend and they can do the same against Sampdoria.  Roma can do little wrong at the moment but Verona almost got a draw at AC Milan and they can frustrate the second-placed team.

Away days: It's FA Cup fourth-round weekend and I expect Cardiff to go through at the expense of demoralised Bolton, who conceded seven at Reading last Saturday. Talking of Reading, they are well worth a punt at Ipswich in a Championship fixture at Portman Road. Ipswich have gone off the boil after occupying the play-off positions and free-scoring Reading are confident enough to cash in. Portsmouth, languishing at the wrong end of League Two, are long overdue a change of luck and they might get it at Morecambe, whose home record is indifferent. Inverness gained a notable away victory against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership last Saturday, so they should take care of lowly Kilmarnock. Queen of the South have hit a rich vein of form in the Scottish Championship and must be fancied to inflict more misery on bottom club Morton. Dunfermline's fine away record in Scottish League One ought to serve them well at Brechin.

Homes sweet homes: If you are looking for FA Cup upsets, you could do worse than backing League One Port Vale against Championship side Brighton. Port Vale, lying just outside the play-off places, will be well supported against Brighton, who tend to blow hot and cold. Crystal Palace's chief concern is to stay in the Premier League, so they may take their eye off the ball at Wigan, who are capable of beating most sides on their day. Wigan are also the FA Cup holders and they are not prepared to surrender the trophy easily. Stirling's 4-0 defeat at Berwick in Scottish League Two last Saturday looked like a freak result and I believe they will resume winning ways against second-placed Annan.

Pools info: Celta Vigo v Real Betis (match No 24) and Lille v Rennes (45) are void.

Pools tips for weekend of January 18-19

Ten draws: Swansea v Tottenham, Derby v Brighton, Millwall v Ipswich, Nottingham Forest v Blackburn, Carlisle v Colchester, Sheffield United v Bradford City, Stevenage v Notts County, Exeter v Morecambe, Southend v Chesterfield, Ross v Dundee United.

Best draws: Derby v Brighton, Sheffield United v Bradford City, Exeter v Morecambe, Southend v Chesterfield, Ross v Dundee United.

Best weekend away bets: Wigan, Wolves, Rotherham, Burton, Oxford, Dumbarton.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Barnsley, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers, Bristol City, Peterborough, Fleetwood, Portsmouth, Hibernian.


Pick of the draws: Derby have followed their wonderful run with three defeats in a row. As a result, their Championship promotion challenge has stalled and Brighton, who are on the upgrade, are playing well enough to take advantage. Sheffield United host Bradford City in League One. Last month this fixture would have been an away banker but United have improved under Nigel Clough whereas City are sliding down the table. Exeter's play-off challenge in League Two has faded and their visitors, Morecambe, look more likely to be involved. Southend and Chesterfield, who meet at Roots Hall, both feature in the shake-up for automatic promotion and I rate this the best draw on the coupon. Dundee United have disappointed in the Scottish Premiership, so don't be surprised if they are held by lowly Ross.

Away days: Wigan go from strength to strength under Uwe Rosler in the Championship and should be backed to gain maximum points at troubled Doncaster. Wolves ended a wobbly spell in League One with deserved victory over Preston last weekend. It reinvigorated their promotion campaign and I believe they will win again at Crawley. High-flying Rotherham have done better away than at home and seem a sound bet at Shrewsbury, who are hovering above the relegation zone. Burton, second in League Two, are also specialists on the road and I fancy them to bury Bury. Oxford are unbeaten away this season. They maintained that record by drawing at Championship side Charlton in the FA Cup third round and they will surely account for Wycombe. Dumbarton, with five away victories in the Scottish Championship, are worth a punt at faltering Alloa, who are just above them.

Homes sweet homes: Barnsley, bottom of the Championship, will probably be relieved to be playing Paul Ince's Blackpool, who cannot buy a win at the moment and are plummeting down the table. I expect Barnsley to ease their relegation worries with a much-needed three points. Bristol City, in the League One relegation zone but improving under new manager Steve Cotterill, are capable of surprising MK Dons, who may feel the effects of having to play extra time in their FA Cup third-round replay against holders Wigan. Portsmouth are in desperate trouble near the foot of League Two. Any sort of victory would be welcome and I think they will get it against League newcomers Mansfield.

Pools tips for weekend of January 11-12

Ten draws: Fulham v Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds, Watford v Reading, Bradford City v Bristol City, Oldham v Stevenage, Wolves v Preston, Dagenham & Redbridge v Fleetwood, Hartlepol v Rochdale, Mansfield v Scunthorpe, Plymouth v Southend.

Best draws: Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds, Bradford City v Bristol City, Wolves v Preston, Dagenham & Redbridge v Fleetwood, Plymouth v Southend.

Best weekend away bets: Chelsea, Burnley, Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest, Gillingham, Walsall.

Best weekend home bets: Everton, Blackburn, Huddersfield, Brentford, Coventry, Swindon, AFC Wimbledon, Bristol Rovers, Northampton, Dundee.


Pick of the draws: Leeds will have been hit hard by their FA Cup defeat to League Two Rochdale last weekend. They are out of form anyway, which will encourage the improving Sheffield Wednesday, who are eager to improve their record at Hillsborough. A stalemate looks the likeliest outcome of this Championship fixture. Bradford City are slipping out of League One promotion contention, partly because they have had too many home draws. I think they'll get another one on Saturday as their visitors, Bristol City, under new manager Steve Cotterill, are showing signs of climbing away from the relegation zone. Promotion challengers Wolves are experiencing a blip and I believe Preston, who are one place behind them in fourth, will take away a point from Molineux. Fleetwood, in League Two, have not had an away draw all season but I can see them sharing the spoils with Dagenham & Redbridge, who are tough opponents at home. Plymouth are one of the in-form sides at the moment and can halt Southend's charge up the table.

Away days: Chelsea, two points off the top of the Premier League and now getting into their stride, will fancy their chances of maximum points at Hull. Burnley, second in the Championship, nearly forced a draw against Southampton in an FA Cup thriller at St Mary's last Saturday and will probably be too strong for relegation-threatened Yeovil. Middlesbrough can take advantage of Blackpool's sharp decline and Nottingham Forest, fresh from thrashing West Ham in the FA Cup, will be confident of prevailing at Bolton. League One Gillingham defeated high-riding Wolves last Friday, so a trip to mid-table Colchester should hold no fears. Walsall are red-hot on their travels and ought to take care of Tranmere, who hover just above the relegation zone.

Homes sweet homes: Swindon are a match for anybody on their day and I believe they will beat Peterborough, who have gone from League One promotion certainties to possible play-off contenders. They even failed to overcome non-League Kidderminster in the FA Cup third round last weekend. Exeter's slide in League Two shows no sign of stopping, so don't be surprised if lowly Bristol Rovers take three points off them. Bottom club Northampton, still without a manager since the sacking of Aidy Boothroyd, earned a morale-boosting victory at Newport last Saturday and that may spur them to a win over York.

Pools info: The result of Aston Villa v Arsenal, match No 1 on the coupon and being played on Monday, will be decided by the pools panel. Leicester v Derby (match No 18) and Aberdeen v Hibernian (47) are on Friday and therefore void.

Pools tips for weekend of January 4-5

Ten draws: Dumbarton v Morton, Stranraer v Ayr, Barnet v Alfreton, Forest Green v Salisbury, Wrexham v Aldershot, Gainsborough v Stockport, Harrogate v AFC Telford, Hednesford v North Ferriby, Bath City v Staines, Eastbourne v Eastleigh.

Best draws: Dumbarton v Morton, Barnet v Alfreton, Forest Green v Salisbury, Wrexham v Aldershot, Bath City v Staines.

Best weekend away bets: Hibernian, St Johnstone, Coventry, Manchester City, Leyton Orient, Chesterfield.

Best weekend home bets: Motherwell, Hamilton, Clyde, Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Southampton, Southend, Wigan, Newport.


Pick of the draws: Morton, bottom of the Scottish Championship and with only one away point, can at last get something on their travels when they visit Dumbarton, who are just two places above them.  Barnet, who had a pointless Christmas in the Skrill Premier, host third-placed Alfreton, who have yet to draw away in their 13 matches on the road. I believe that statistic will change on Saturday. Mid-table Forest Green have failed to build on their early-season promise and visitors Salisbury look good for a point. Despite having 10 points deducted before the start of the season, Aldershot are on course to avoid relegation and capable of sharing the spoils at inconsistent Wrexham. Although Staines have a terrible away record in the Skrill South, I have a hunch they will surprise Bath City. Staines beat Sutton United last weekend. 

Away days: Hibernian are thriving in the Scottish Premiership under the new managership of Terry Butcher and are worth a wager at Dundee United, who have recently faltered. St Johnstone must be fancied at Ross, who are at the wrong end of the table. Looking for upsets in the FA Cup third round this weekend, one should not overlook League One Coventry, who are in much better shape than their hosts Barnsley, who prop up the Championship. High-riding Leyton Orient, also of League One, are also worth a punt at struggling Championship side Yeovil. Manchester City, whatever team they put out, should be backed at Blackburn. In League Two, promotion contenders Chesterfield ought to have the edge over Cheltenham, who are poor at home.

Homes sweet homes: Continuing the FA Cup theme, reviving League One club Bristol City must be looking forward to their home tie against Watford, who are not the force they once were in the Championship. Middlesbrough are starting to find their feet after an unimpressive first half to the season and I'm tipping them to knock out Hull, who have only won once on their travels. There's a possibility of a giant-killing at Southend, who are seeking promotion to League One. They play Millwall, threatened by relegation from the Championship and without a manager after the sacking of Steve Lomas. 

Please note: Cambridge v Grimsby (match No 12 on coupon), Kidderminster v Dartford (15) and Macclesfield v Chester FC (17) will be decided by the pools panel.

Betting info: I scored five out of six with my away selections on Boxing Day.