Pools guide and best bets for weekend of Jan 3-4

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.