Pools forecast and best bets for weekend of Dec 6-7

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.