Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 9-10

Ten draws: Birmingham v Bournemouth, Doncaster v Stoke, Hull v Brighton, Nottingham Forest v Queens Park Rangers, Southampton v Crystal Palace, Dundee v Falkirk, Hearts v Aberdeen, Raith v Hibernian, Barnet v Bristol Rovers, Crawley v Cambridge.

Best draws: Birmingham v Bournemouth, Hull v Brighton, Dundee v Falkirk, Barnet v Bristol Rovers, Crawley v Cambridge.

Best weekend away bets: Derby, Manchester City, Swansea, Newcastle, Millwall, Dundee United.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Cardiff, Ipswich, Northampton, Peterborough, Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham, West Bromwich, West Ham, St Johnstone.


Pick of the draws: It's FA Cup third round weekend. Bournemouth's recent results include victories over Manchester United and Chelsea and a draw at Leicester but they face a testing task at Birmingham, who lie just outside the Championship play-off positions and are shrewdly managed by Gary Rowett. Brighton have suddenly hit the wall after going unbeaten for so long and they'll be determined to stop the rot at Hull, who are fellow promotion contenders. Falkirk are challenging Rangers and Hibernian for promotion to the Scottish Premiership and there's a good chance they'll take that form into the Scottish Cup fourth round when they visit mid-table Dundee. Barnet's away record in League Two is atrocious but they are a much better proposition at home, which makes me think they will take a point off the higher-placed Bristol Rovers. Cambridge's upturn in form came to a shuddering halt last Saturday when they lost 4-1 at home to AFC Wimbledon but I'm still backing them to take something from their visit to Crawley.

Away days: Derby came off second best to Middlesbrough in the battle of the Championship's top two last weekend but it's hard to see them slipping up at League Two Hartlepool. Manchester City's late show at Watford in the Premier League last Saturday should put them in good heart for their third-round tie at Norwich. I believe City will go through at the first attempt, whichever side they pick. Swansea, still without a manager after Gary Monk's sacking, gave a good account of themselves when losing 2-1 at Manchester United last Saturday and they ought to clear the less daunting hurdle presented by League Two high-flyers  Oxford on Sunday. Newcastle were unlucky to lose against Arsenal last weekend and as manager Steve McClaren has promised to field his strongest team, I rate their chances at Watford, who have got into the habit of conceding late goals. In League One, Millwall will surely be disappointed if they don't beat relegation-haunted Oldham. Dundee United, rock bottom of the Scottish Premiership, will feel like taking out their frustration on League One Airdrieonians in the Scottish Cup.

Homes sweet homes: Northampton's rise to promotion favourites in League Two, despite their financial difficulties, has been admirable and they'll be looking forward to their tie with MK Dons, who are struggling in the Championship and poor away from home. League One promotion contenders Peterborough have a proud history in the FA Cup, which could be enough to get them through against Preston, of the Championship. Tottenham v Leicester at White Hart Lane on Sunday is probably the match of the round and I favour Spurs, especially as Leicester's star striker Jamie Vardy is injured. Leicester have also failed to score in their past three matches. Could the wheels be finally coming off?

Pools Info: St Mirren v Partick (No 42 on coupon) is being played on Friday and is therefore void.