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Ten draws: Partick v Dundee United, St Johnstone v Hamilton, Hearts v Hibernian, Dunfermline v Peterhead, Morton v Airdrieonians, Elgin v East Fife, Dartford v Kidderminster, Lincoln v Barnet, Chorley v Oxford City, Leamington v Bradford PA.
Best draws: St Johnstone v Hamilton, Hearts v Hibernian, Dunfermline v Peterhead, Dartford v Kidderminster, Lincoln v Barnet.
Best weekend away bets: Middlesbrough, Bradford City, Swindon, Bury, Aberdeen, Raith.
Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Doncaster, Preston, Rochdale, Port Vale, Walsall, Exeter, Queen of South, Albion, Arbroath.
Pick of the draws: St Johnstone are gradually closing the gap on Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership but I fancy Hamilton to pinch a point here. St Johnstone are also due a home draw, having not recorded one this season. Runaway Scottish Championship leaders Hearts have won all nine of their home games but Hibernian's recent form has been just as good. There is so much pride at stake in this Edinburgh derby that I wouldn't be surprised if Hibernian nick a draw. Dunfermline have lost their way in Scottish League One and could drop another couple of points to Peterhead, who are only four points behind them. Dartford are precariously placed in the Vanarama Conference and probably won't get much joy out of Kidderminster, who seem to be heading in the opposite direction. Lincoln have won six of their last seven matches and are rapidly climbing the table. They face a big test against clear leaders Barnet but I'm taking them to check Barnet's progress.
Away days: Promotion chasing Middlesbrough were desperately unlucky not to defeat Blackburn at Ewood Park last Sunday. The Championship side should have enough in their locker to repel the challenge of League One Barnsley in the FA Cup third round. Bradford City have made a clear statement of intent recently and a Cup upset is on the cards when they visit Millwall, who have dropped into the Championship relegation zone and are in disarray. Swindon, second in League One, have had a successful Christmas and will be confident of beating Fleetwood, who find life difficult at their Highbury stadium. Bury, of League Two, have rediscovered their mojo in their last two matches (both won) and are likely to make it three in a row at Dagenham & Redbridge, who are second from bottom. Second-placed Aberdeen are the surprise packet in this season's Scottish Premiership and I believe they will prevail at struggling Motherwell. Raith, of the Scottish Championship, gained a much-needed fillip by winning at Falkirk last Saturday. They weaker opposition in Cowdenbeath on Saturday and should take advantage.
Homes sweet homes: Those who are looking for FA Cup third-round upsets could do worse than bet on Doncaster, Preston and Rochdale. Doncaster, who have a terrible home record, host League One leaders Bristol City but the Cup often turns the form book upside down and Doncaster won at high-flyers Swindon recently. Preston's consistency has put them in the League One promotion shake-up and I don't envy Championship side Norwich having to go to Deepdale. Little is going right for Stuart Pearce's Nottingham Forest in the Championship and they won't relish a trip to League One Rochdale, who can be irresistible on their day.
Pools info: Kilmarnock v Celtic (No 3 on coupon), Dover v Grimsby (25), Gateshead v Wrexham (28), Macclesfield v Woking (30) and Southport v FC Halifax (32) will be decided by the pools panel.
Boxing Day bonus: I scored five out of six with my away selections. The successful teams were Liverpool, Manchester City, Bradford City, MK Dons and Stevenage.
December 28-29
Ten draws: QPR v Crystal Palace, Tottenham v Manchester United, West Ham v Arsenal, Cardiff v Watford, Reading v Norwich, Bradford City v Notts County, Coventry v Chesterfield, Stevenage v Cambridge, Inverness v Aberdeen, St Johnstone v Dundee United.
Best draws: Tottenham v Manchester United, Cardiff v Watford, Coventry v Chesterfield, Stevenage v Cambridge, Inverness v Aberdeen.
Best away bets: Leicester, Rotherham, Bolton, Bournemouth, Bristol City, Wycombe.
Best home bets: Stoke, Blackburn, MK Dons, Sheffield United, Swindon, Accrington, Plymouth, Southend, Tranmere, Dundee.
Pick of the draws: Manchester United, in terrific form of late, have a wonderful record at Tottenham but they may have their work cut out this time as Spurs are also on a winning streak. Victories over Wigan and Reading have moved Watford back into the Championship play-off positions and they should have enough about them to hold Russell Slade's Cardiff. League One Coventry have not done as well as expected on their return to the Ricoh Arena and they might struggle to overcome Chesterfield, who won well at Gillingham last weekend. Stevenage and Cambridge are next to each other in League Two's mid-table and I wouldn't like to separate them. Although Inverness Caledonian Thistle are faltering in the Scottish Premiership, they have lost only once at home and can stop the progress of third-placed Aberdeen, who have yet to draw away this season.
Away days: Leicester, the Premier League's bottom club, are worth a punt at Hull, who are in free-fall and just one place above them. Rotherham moved three points nearer safety in the Championship by winning at Wigan last weekend and another away success looks on the cards at Blackpool, who seem doomed to relegation and were trounced 6-1 at home by Bournemouth last Saturday. Neil Lennon's Bolton are becoming more confident by the week and can prevail at Huddersfield, who appear to have slipped back into their bad old ways. Championship leaders Bournemouth have already scored 50 goals this season and I can see them adding to that total at relegation-threatened Millwall. League One leaders Bristol City suffered a shock reverse at Crewe last Saturday but I believe they'll recover at Gillingham. If any team can inflict Shrewsbury's first home defeat this season it's League Two leaders Wycombe, who have already won seven times on the road.
Homes sweet homes: Blackburn are tough nuts to crack at Ewood Park and I'm taking them to damage Middlesbrough's promotion prospects in the Championship. Boro were desperately disappointing when losing 2-0 at Ipswich last weekend. Mid-table Accrington held Wycombe last Saturday, so don't be surprised if they go one better against League Two promotion contenders Burton. Remember Accrington gave League One Yeovil a good run for their money before going out of the FA Cup. Tranmere (23rd) are lower than their visitors Northampton (19th) but are in better form and I'm confident they can gain maximum points.
December 31-Jan 2
Ten draws: Southampton v Arsenal, St Mirren v Kilmarnock, Alfreton v Lincoln, Grimsby v Macclesfield, Welling v Dover, Barrow v Fylde, Colwyn Bay v Stockport, Tamworth v Solihull Moors, Ebbsfleet v Chelmsford, Sutton Utd v Wealdstone.
Best draws: Southampton v Arsenal, Alfreton v Lincoln, Grimsby v Macclesfield, Welling v Dover, Ebbsfleet v Chelmsford.
Best away bets: Swansea, Manchester United, Celtic, Inverness, Chester, Dartford.
Best home bets: Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aberdeen, Hamilton, Barnet, Bristol Rovers, FC Halifax, AFC Telford, Woking.
December 20-21
Ten draws: Aston Villa v Manchester United, Ipswich v Middlesbrough, Reading v Watford, Crawley v Port Vale, Peterborough v Preston, Carlisle v Northampton, Luton v Newport, St Johnstone v Inverness, Dumbarton v Falkirk, Ayr v Stirling.
Best draws: Ipswich v Middlesbrough, Reading v Watford, Crawley v Port Vale, Peterborough v Preston, Ayr v Stirling.
Best weekend away bets: Swansea, Birmingham, Bristol City, Oxford, Motherwell, Hibernian.
Best weekend home bets: Tottenham, West Ham, Cardiff, Fulham, Wolves, Bradford City, Rochdale, Swindon, Bury, Plymouth.
Pick of the draws: There is little to choose between Championship promotion contenders Ipswich and Middlesbrough and I think that will be reflected in the scoreline when they meet at Portman Road. Reading's new manager Steve Clarke will be eager to make a good first impression. He won't find it easy against promotion-challenging Watford but I'm backing Reading to deny them victory. Crawley have slipped dangerously close to the League One relegation zone. They need maximum points against Port Vale but I can't see them getting more than one. Peterborough halted their bad run with an away win against Leyton Orient last weekend but Saturday's opponents, Preston, are a more difficult proposition and this fixture is probably the best draw on the coupon. Stirling may be rock bottom of Scottish League One but they stretched leaders Forfar last weekend in a 2-1 defeat. They may have better luck at Ayr, who are second bottom with five home losses to their name this season.
Away days: Swansea weren't ruthless enough when losing at home to Tottenham last Sunday. If they show more of a killer instinct they will beat Hull, who are in free-fall and in danger of relegation from the Premier League. Birmingham's 6-1 thrashing of Reading in the Championship was one of the best results of last weekend. They look a different team under Gary Rowett and I fancy them to register another three points at Huddersfield. League One leaders Bristol City have regained their momentum and it's hard to see them failing at bottom club Crewe. Although Oxford went out of the FA Cup to League Two strugglers Tranmere in midweek, they should still be too strong for Hartlepool, who are in danger of being cast adrift from the rest. Motherwell, under new managership, are worth a punt at fellow strugglers St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership while improving Hibernian look a good thing at Raith.
Homes sweet homes: Although Cardiff were on the wrong end of a 5-3 result at Bournemouth in the Championship last Saturday, they showed their attacking flair and can send higher-placed Brentford home pointless. Fulham have responded so well to new manager Kit Symons that they are seven points clear of the Championship relegation zone. I reckon they will widen that gap by Saturday teatime. Fulham host Sheffield Wednesday, whose progress has been halted by too many draws. Notts County, of League One, are the only side in the top four divisions to remain unbeaten away. I believe they'll lose that distinction on Saturday when they visit Rochdale, who showed what they are capable of with a resounding 4-1 triumph at Colchester and another four goals against Aldershot in the FA Cup.
December 26-27
Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Southampton, Birmingham v Derby, Chesterfield v Peterborough, Doncaster v Coventry, Port Vale v Sheffield United, Walsall v Swindon, Newport v Plymouth, Northampton v Bury, Eastleigh v Woking, Gateshead v FC Halifax.
Best draws: Birmingham v Derby, Chesterfield v Peterborough, Doncaster v Coventry, Newport v Plymouth, Eastleigh v Woking.
Best away bets: Liverpool, Manchester City, Cardiff, Bradford City, MK Dons, Stevenage.
I scored four out of six aways last weekend with Swansea, Birmingham, Motherwell and Hibernian.
Best home bets: Arsenal, Sunderland, Brighton, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol City, Leyton Orient, Preston, Exeter, York.
Ten draws: West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa, Birmingham v Reading, Bolton v Ipswich, Leeds v Fulham, Colchester v Rochdale, Notts County v Swindon, Scunthorpe v Crewe, Mansfield v Cheltenham, Hamilton v Dundee, Motherwell v Ross.
Best draws: Bolton v Ipswich, Leeds v Fulham, Colchester v Rochdale, Notts County v Swindon, Motherwell v Ross.
Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Tranmere, Luton, Berwick.
Best weekend home bets: Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Charlton, Norwich, Watford, Bristol City, Leyton Orient, Oldham, Newport, Northampton.
Pick of the draws: Bolton have made great strides since Neil Lennon was appointed manager, so they shouldn't be fazed by the visit of Mick McCarthy's Ipswich, who have risen to second in the Championship. Ipswich have already clocked up five away draws and I believe they'll make it six on Saturday. Fulham's shock 5-0 home defeat by Watford last Friday was partly due to their goalkeeper being sent off after 15 minutes. However, that contradicted their recent good form and I'm tipping them to recover by holding Leeds at Elland Road. League One strugglers Colchester will have been cheered by their FA Cup second-round home victory over Peterborough and can get something from the visit of Rochdale, who are up one minute, down the next. Notts County v Swindon is a clash between two of League One's high-flyers. Notts County's indifferent home form and Swindon's fine away record suggest that the spoils will be shared. Motherwell, third from last, are having a wretched time in the Scottish Premiership and will probably struggle to overcome bottom club Ross, who are at least showing signs of improvement.
Away days: Although second-placed Manchester City will be without their injured star striker Sergio Aguero, they should still be too strong for basement club Leicester, who cannot buy a Premier League win at the moment. Nottingham Forest showed what they are capable of with a resounding
3-0 victory at Wolves in the Championship a few weeks ago. A repeat of that performance should see them prevail at Rotherham, who have been dragged into the relegation scrap. Everything is going wrong for Wolves but they were desperately unlucky to lose to Bournemouth last weekend after having two players controversially sent off. I've a hunch that the Wolves comeback will start at Sheffield Wednesday, where home wins are the exception. In League Two, second-from-last club Tranmere are worth a punt at Dagenham & Redbridge, who have lost six on their own ground, while promotion contenders Luton look a good thing at Morecambe. In Scottish League Two I'm taking Berwick to increase Elgin's anxiety at the foot of the table.
Homes sweet homes: Crystal Palace, hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone, could consider themselves unfortunate not to gain maximum points at Tottenham last Saturday and I've a feeling they will take out their frustration on Stoke at Selhurst Park. Leyton Orient aren't pulling up any trees in League One but neither are their opponents Peterborough, who have fallen 11 points behind the automatic promotion places and were knocked out of the FA Cup last Sunday. Don't be surprised if Orient cause an upset here. Northampton may be only mid-table in League Two but I fancy them to defeat promotion hopefuls Plymouth, who are unconvincing on their travels.
Pools info: I scored four from six with my away forecasts last weekend. The successful teams were Celtic, St Johnstone, Forfar and Dover.
Ten draws: Hull v West Brom, Stoke v Arsenal, West Ham v Swansea, Nottingham Forest v Charlton, Wolves v Bournemouth, Aberdeen v Hamilton, Falkirk v Hibernian, Dunfermline v Ayr, Stranraer v Morton, Deportivo La Coruna v Malaga.
Best draws: Hull v West Brom, West Ham v Swansea, Wolves v Bournemouth, Falkirk v Hibernian, Stranraer v Morton.
Best weekend away bets: Birmingham, Brentford, Dover, Celtic, St Johnstone, Forfar.
Best weekend home bets: Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Cardiff, Derby, Millwall, Wigan, Partick, Raith, Albion.
Pick of the draws: Hull and West Brom are two teams on the slide and in danger of losing their Premier League status. I don't expect either to improve their position at the weekend. By way of contrast, West Ham and Swansea have exceeded expectations this season and are vying for Champions League places. Both gained three points in midweek and I'm finding it hard to pick a winner on Sunday. Wolves have suffered heavy defeats against Derby (5-0), Nottingham Forest (3-0) and Brentford (4-0) recently in the Championship but I'm backing them to stop the rot against Bournemouth, who, under the shrewd managership of Eddie Howe, are again punching above their weight. Hibernian have put their terrible start in the Scottish Championship behind them. Progress in the Scottish Cup will only have added to their confidence and they can take a point at Falkirk. Scottish League One leaders Morton have not drawn away this season but I can see that changing when they travel to Stranraer, who are also in the promotion reckoning.
Away days: Birmingham look a side on the upgrade, especially after their fine 2-1 home success over Nottingham Forest last Saturday. I expect them to prevail at Blackpool, who are rock bottom of the Championship, eight points away from the nearest team. Brentford have probably been the surprise packet in this division and confirmed their quality by giving Wolves a hiding last weekend. They must be fancied for another three points at Huddersfield. It's FA Cup weekend in England and I believe Dover, mid-table in the Conference, have the best chance of springing a second-round surprise at League Two Cheltenham, who have faded after starting the season well. Celtic made short work of Hearts in the Scottish Cup and have gone top of the Scottish Premiership. I cannot see struggling Motherwell causing them any problems. St Johnstone are recommended at St Mirren, who are having a dismal season and League One promotion hopefuls Forfar are worth a wager at Stenhousemuir, who are at the other end of the table.
Homes sweet homes: Millwall are showing the fighting spirit needed to avoid relegation from the Championship. They rescued a point at Bournemouth last Saturday after being two goals behind and I won't be surprised if they upset promotion-chasing Middlesbrough. Wigan are better than their 23rd position indicates. Six home draws have cost them dearly but I fancy them to take maximum points against Norwich, who are on a downward spiral. Partick sprung a surprise by defeating Hamilton in the Scottish Cup last Saturday. That should put them in the mood to send higher-placed Kilmarnock packing.
Pools info: Southampton v Manchester United (match No 7 on coupon) is being played on Monday and will be a pools panel verdict. Fulham v Watford (15) and Ross v Dundee United (27) are on Friday and therefore void.
