Pools forecast & best bets for Dec 20-21 and 26-27

                                         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.