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

Ten draws: Huddersfield v Brighton, Manchester United v Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers v Leeds, Bristol Rovers v Southend, Charlton v Portsmouth, Peterborough v Blackburn, Accrington v Swindon, Cheltenham v Crewe, Colchester v Exeter, Port Vale v Cambridge.

Best draws: Manchester United v Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers v Leeds, Bristol Rovers v Southend, Charlton v Portsmouth, Colchester v Exeter.

Best weekend away bets: Leicester, Chelsea, Brentford, Mansfield, Lincoln, Dundee United.

Best weekend home bets: Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Fulham, Wolves, Oldham, Wigan, Chesterfield, Luton, Rangers, Ayr.


Pick of the draws: Manchester United, second in the Premier League, have won all seven of their home matches. Their visitors, leaders Manchester City, have won all seven of their away games. Something has to give at Old Trafford on Sunday in the biggest Premier League fixture of the season so far. I think both records will be blemished in a low-scoring stalemate. My feeling is that United will be more cautious than they were when beating Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates last Saturday and that free-scoring City will find it hard to penetrate their defence. Queens Park Rangers were only minutes away from drawing their Championship game at Preston last weekend, despite playing most of the match with 10 men. A repeat of that spirited display should be enough to deny Leeds, who are falling short of expectations. Bristol Rovers ended their losing run in League One by defeating Rotherham at home last Saturday but will probably find Southend tougher opponents. Charlton may have a hangover after suffering an unexpected exit from the FA Cup at Wimbledon last Sunday. If that is so, then Portsmouth are well equipped to take advantage. Exeter are credible promotion challengers in League Two but Colchester don't give much away at home and this fixture is one of the likeliest draws on the coupon.

Away days: Leicester, who have moved well clear of the Premier League relegation zone under their new manager Claude Puel will fancy their chances at Newcastle, who are heading in the opposite direction. Chelsea's away form is better than how they fare at Stamford Bridge and they will be disappointed with anything less than three points at second-from-bottom West Ham in Saturday's early match. Brentford's fluent football in the Championship has caught the eye this season and they are worth backing at Hull, who are in danger of slipping into the drop zone. Mansfield have climbed into the League Two play-off places and will further strengthen their position with victory at Crawley, who are fragile on their own ground. Ambitious Lincoln are eager to gain promotion in successive seasons and a win at lowly Yeovil will improve their prospects. Scottish Championship leaders Dundee United are highly recommended at Morton.

Homes sweet homes: Roy Hodgson is turning things around at Crystal Palace. After a dreadful start to the season they have moved off the foot of the Premier League and are in the mood to climb higher. They have an excellent opportunity to get three points from the visit of Bournemouth, who have just had disappointing home results against Burnley (lost) and Southampton (drawn). Chesterfield are playing much better than their bottom placing in League Two suggests and should relish the visit of second-last Barnet, who can hardly do a thing right. Leaders Luton have scored a stunning 48 goals from 20 matches - a statistic that ought to tilt the balance their way when they play Notts County, who are second, on Saturday.