Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 16-17

Ten draws: Chelsea v Everton, Liverpool v Manchester United, Stoke v Arsenal, Blackburn v Brighton, Rotherham v Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster v Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon v Mansfield, Luton v Cambridge, Morecambe v Yeovil, Partick v Dundee.

Best draws: Stoke v Arsenal, Blackburn v Brighton, Doncaster v Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon v Mansfield, Luton v Cambridge.

Best weekend away bets: Middlesbrough, Reading, Walsall, Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Northampton.

Best weekend home bets: Manchester City, Tottenham, Huddersfield, Hull, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, Swindon, Barnet, Leyton Orient, York.


Pick of the draws: Stoke is an unhappy hunting ground for Arsenal but the Premier League leaders  should have enough grit and resilience about them to gain a point from Sunday's visit to the Potteries. Brighton's decline has been astonishing. They were the last unbeaten team in the top four divisions this season but they have not won for eight matches and have gone the last six without scoring. Despite all this, I expect them to share the Championship spoils at Blackburn, who are used to drawing home matches (seven this season). Doncaster are one of the most improved sides in League One and gave Stoke a scare before going out of the FA Cup last Saturday. I believe they will hold second-placed Gillingham. AFC Wimbledon are not as comfortable at home as they are on the road. As Mansfield's away record deserves respect, this League Two clash has all the makings of a score draw. Cambridge's progress under manager Shaun Derry was checked by their 1-0 defeat at Crawley last Saturday but I'm backing them to recover at Luton, who have disappointed this season.

Away days: Championship leaders Middlesbrough seem more formidable every week and look good for maximum points at promoted Bristol City, who are struggling to adapt to a higher division. Reading gained a creditable draw at Derby in midweek and are showing encouraging signs under new manager Brian McDermott. They are well worth a punt at MK Dons, who were lucky to survive against League Two Northampton in the FA Cup and suffered a demoralising 5-0 home defeat by Burnley in midweek. The departure of manager Dean Smith doesn't appear to have had an adverse affect on League One promotion contenders Walsall. They travel to Bury, who have been sliding rapidly down the table. Sheffield United did well to draw 3-3 at Wigan in midweek and will be confident of taking maximum points off relegation-troubled Colchester. League Two high-flyers Portsmouth have no need to fear anybody and can come away from Accrington with a win. Promotion favourites Northampton can do no wrong at the moment and it's impossible to ignore their claims at lowly Dagenham & Redbridge, who have yet to win at home this season.

Homes sweet homes: Coventry host League One leaders Burton in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday. Both teams are in fine form but I think home advantage will prevail. Barnet defeated Bristol Rovers last weekend despite playing some of their League Two match with 10 men. They are tough nuts to crack at home and I think that will give them the edge over higher-placed Carlisle. Bottom club York entertain Newport in a "six-pointer" at the foot of League Two and my money is on the home side.

Pools info: Swansea v Watford (No 9 on coupon) has been switched to Monday and is a pools panel verdict. Brentford v Burnley (12) and Dundee United v Celtic (46) are being played on Friday and are therefore void.