Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 7-8

Ten draws: Accrington v Luton, Bristol City v Fleetwood, Cardiff v Fulham, Sunderland v Burnley, Watford v Burton, Colchester v Carlisle, Mansfield v Crewe, Bromley v Forest Green, Solihull v Gateshead, Ayr v Dunfermline.

Best draws: Cardiff v Fulham, Sunderland v Burnley, Colchester v Carlisle, Mansfield v Crewe, Solihull v Gateshead.

Best weekend away bets: Newcastle, Barnsley, Leeds (Monday), Grimsby, Barnet, Forfar.

Best weekend home bets: Everton, Huddersfield, Norwich, Rotherham, West Bromwich, Wigan, Scunthorpe, Aldershot, Torquay, East Fife.

Pick of the draws: It's FA Cup third-round weekend and Cardiff, who have revived under the astute managership of Neil Warnock, can take Fulham, their higher-placed Championship opponents, to a replay. Although Burnley's away record in the Premier League is appalling (eight defeats and one draw from nine games), they should at least be capable of getting something at third from bottom Sunderland, who rely too much on Jermain Defoe for their goals output. Colchester are one of the form sides in League Two and looking forward to facing promotion-seeking Carlisle, who unexpectedly lost at home to Grimsby last weekend. Carlisle have drawn seven of their away matches and I won't be surprised if they make it eight on Saturday. Mansfield host Crewe in what threatens to be a dour mid-table encounter. Both teams are shot-shy and I predict a low-scoring stalemate. Solihull Moors continue to improve in the National League and I'm taking them to hold Gateshead, who enjoyed a 4-1 home victory over Barrow last weekend.

Away days: Newcastle were frustrated at losing to Blackburn after dominating the game on Monday and will be determined to put things right in the FA Cup at Birmingham, who have dropped out of promotion contention since the ridiculous sacking of manager Gary Rowett. Barnsley are still punching above their weight in the Championship and are a confident selection to knock out Blackpool from League Two. Leeds are making great strides under manager Gary Monk and are tipped to overcome the stiff challenge of Cambridge United, who have come from nowhere to move into the League Two play-off positions. That 3-1 triumph at Carlisle last Monday will have given Grimsby an enormous boost and they face inferior opponents in Hartlepool on Saturday. Barnet's form on the road should be good enough to see off Leyton Orient, who face a real battle to stay in the Football League. Scottish League Two leaders Forfar have faced few problems on their travels so far and I'm backing them to gain their seventh away win of the season at Annan.

Homes sweet homes: Everton played well in beating Southampton 3-0 at home last Monday. Under-performing Leicester are the visitors to Goodison Park in the FA Cup on Saturday and I believe that, like Southampton, they will come away with nothing. Norwich eased the pressure on their manager Alex Neil by beating Derby 3-0 at home on Monday. I've a hunch Neil will be smiling again when they knock Premier League Southampton out of the FA Cup. Wigan, second from bottom in the Championship, are having a wretched season but their FA Cup visitors, Nottingham Forest, are suffering a crisis of their own and my money is on a home victory. Torquay are moving away from the National League relegation zone and will fancy their chances against mid-table Boreham Wood.