Pools tips and best bets for weekend of February 3-4

Ten draws: Liverpool v Tottenham, Leeds v Cardiff, Norwich v Middlesbrough, Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury, Bury v Blackpool, Fleetwood v Scunthorpe, Peterborough v Southend, Chesterfield v Crawley, Luton v Exeter, Rangers v Hibernian.

Best draws: Leeds v Cardiff, Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury, Bury v Blackpool, Peterborough v Southend, Luton v Exeter.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester City, Ipswich, Blackburn, Coventry, Raith, Wrexham.

Best weekend home bets: Leicester, Manchester United, West Bromwich, Aston Villa, Fulham, Charlton, Portsmouth, Lincoln, Notts County, Morton.


Pick of the draws: As long as Cardiff, fourth in the Championship, have recovered from being outclassed by Manchester City in the FA Cup last Sunday, they should get something from their visit to Leeds, whose hopes of promotion are fading. The steady rise of Bristol Rovers in League One was confirmed by their fine 3-1 win at Doncaster last Saturday. Although they have yet to draw at home this season, I'm backing them to hold Shrewsbury, who enhanced their chances of promotion by winning 1-0 at Portsmouth. Bottom club Bury will have been mightily relieved to at last get some points on the board when they won 2-1 at Oxford the Saturday before last and I can see them gaining at least a draw against Blackpool, who are now close to the drop zone. Southend's new manager Chris Powell celebrated with a morale-boosting 3-2 home win against Scunthorpe and it wouldn't surprise me if his team denied Peterborough victory. A 5-1 home loss to Leicester in the FA Cup last Saturday can't have done much for Posh's confidence. League Two leaders Luton slipped up by losing 3-2 at home to Wycombe in midweek and I believe they'll drop more points when promotion-seeking Exeter visit on Saturday.

Away days: Manchester City are so imperious that they could have the Premier League title wrapped up by March. They have no need to fear a visit to Burnley, who have hit the wall after a terrific first half to the season. The appointment of Chris Coleman as manager has not brought the expected bounce at Sunderland, who are still in the bottom three of the Championship after going down 3-1 at struggling Birmingham in midweek. As a result, mid-table Ipswich, their visitors on Saturday, are worth a punt. Blackburn regained second place in League One by defeating Walsall 3-1 at home in midweek and I think they'll keep up the good work by beating Plymouth. FA Cup giant-killers Coventry also have promotion from League Two in their sights and are fancied to win at lowly Forest Green. Raith, second in Scottish League One, look a good thing at bottom club Queen's Park while Wrexham, promotion contenders in the National League, are strongly recommended at Guiseley, who are fighting to stay up.

Homes sweet homes: West Bromwich Albion are perking up under Alan Pardew and will be bolstered by the arrival of Daniel Sturridge, on loan from Liverpool until the rest of the season. They are well worth a wager against Southampton, their Premier League relegation rivals in distress. Lincoln are on course for two consecutive promotions and I'm backing them to come out on top against Swindon, who are the League Two away specialists with 10 wins on the road. Morton's 3-0 triumph at high-flying Dundee United in the Scottish Championship was one of the best results of last weekend and I'm tipping them to send Dunfermline packing.

Pools info: Watford v Chelsea (match No 9 on coupon) has been put back to Monday and will be assessed by the pools panel.

Betting info: With Charlton's game postponed, four of my five away selections were correct last weekend. Fulham, Wolves, Luton and Rangers all obliged.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 27-28

Ten draws: Cardiff v Manchester City, Hull v Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United v Preston, Doncaster v Bristol Rovers, Oldham v Plymouth, Crawley v Accrington, Port Vale v Colchester, Leyton Orient v Aldershot, Wrexham v Tranmere, Hamilton v Dundee.

Best draws: Sheffield United v Preston, Doncaster v Bristol Rovers, Crawley v Accrington, Leyton Orient v Aldershot, Wrexham v Tranmere.

Best weekend away bets: Fulham, Wolves, Charlton, Luton, Fylde, Rangers.

Best weekend home bets: Wigan, Middlesbrough, Millwall, Bristol City, Blackburn, Swindon, Bromley, Dover, Gateshead, Aberdeen.


Pick of the draws: Two evenly matched Championship teams, Sheffield United and Preston, meet at Bramall Lane in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday and parity is the likeliest outcome. Doncaster's progress in League One was confirmed by them earning draws at Shrewsbury (2-2) last Saturday and Scunthorpe (1-1) in midweek but Bristol Rovers, three places below Doncaster, have had some encouraging results themselves, including a 3-1 home victory over promotion contenders Bradford City last weekend, and I rate this as the best draw on the coupon. Crawley's morale was lifted by a fine 2-1 midweek win at Notts County, who are second in League Two, and I believe they will check Accrington's charge towards promotion. Second-placed Aldershot look a fair bet to go up from the National League but Leyton Orient, under new manager Justin Edinburgh, are less brittle now and capable of forcing a draw. Two former Football League clubs, Wrexham and Tranmere, face each other at the Racecourse Ground. They are fourth and fifth respectively in the National League and everything points to a stalemate.

Away days: Fulham have the credentials to be in the promotion shake-up in the Championship and their 6-0 rout of Burton at Craven Cottage last Saturday was no fluke. I expect them to continue the good work at Barnsley, who have been sucked into the battle to avoid relegation. Although runaway leaders Wolves have stumbled recently, I think they'll resume winning ways at Ipswich, who have short-changed their supporters this season. Charlton are looking more like League One promotion contenders these days and must be fancied at Blackpool, who are seemingly drifting. League Two leaders Luton suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat at lowly Chesterfield two weeks ago but I can't see them making the same mistake at ailing Grimsby. Fylde, of the National League, are one of the most improved sides in the country. Their 6-0 home win over table-topping Macclesfield last Saturday was an eye-opener and I'm taking them to beat Woking, who lie 16th. Rangers, who have climbed to second in the Scottish Premiership, are recommended at bottom club Ross County on Sunday.

Homes sweet homes: Wigan have a good FA Cup pedigree, winning it in 2013, and have already eliminated Bournemouth from this season's competition. The League One leaders must have a fighting chance against West Ham, who will probably rest their leading players in this fourth-round tie. Another cup upset is on the cards at Middlesbrough, who are reviving under Tony Pulis. The Championship side host Brighton, who are only one point away from the Premier League drop zone and crashed 4-0 at home to Chelsea last weekend. Gateshead's National League fortunes were boosted when they defeated Chester 3-1 away last Saturday and they are worth backing against Maidstone.


Pools info: The FA Cup fourth-round tie between Sheffield Wednesday and Reading (match No 13 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 20-21

Ten draws: Everton v West Bromwich Albion, Bolton v Ipswich, Leeds v Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff, Sunderland v Hull, Plymouth v Wigan, Rotherham v Portsmouth, Coventry v Swindon, Yeovil v Chesterfield, Fylde v Macclesfield.

Best draws: Everton v West Bromwich Albion, Bolton v Ipswich, Sunderland v Hull, Plymouth v Wigan, Coventry v Swindon.

Best weekend away bets: Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Blackburn, Lincoln, Wycombe.

Best weekend home bets: Leicester, Stoke, Aston Villa, Fulham, Preston, Wolves, Northampton, Rochdale, Colchester, Mansfield.


Pick of the draws: After a brief revival under new manager Sam Allardyce, Everton have fallen apart and are vulnerable to a West Brom team who are fighting to save their Premier League lives. West Brom also had the encouragement of a 2-0 home win over fellow strugglers Brighton last weekend. Ipswich's results in the Championship have been underwhelming and they only just managed to beat 10-man Leeds at Portman Road last Saturday. I expect they won't get too much out of Bolton, who at one point this season looked doomed but are now above the drop zone. Despite appointing Chris Coleman as manager, Sunderland are still bottom with only one home victory to their name. They'll struggle to overcome Hull, whose results have improved recently. Plymouth's startling rise to
mid-table in League One is impossible to ignore and I'm backing them to hold leaders Wigan. Although Coventry will be keen to climb back into the League Two play-off places after losing to Exeter, Swindon, their opponents on Saturday, have the best away record in the division, winning nine matches, and will probably relish this encounter.

Away days: Chelsea have stumbled recently but they look good for maximum points at Brighton, who are in need of more firepower. Second-placed Manchester United will no doubt take advantage of Burnley's loss in form while free-scoring Tottenham, with Harry Kane unstoppable, are a confident selection on Sunday at Southampton, who are low on morale and hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone. Manager Tony Mowbray is doing a good job of reviving Blackburn, who have become strong contenders for automatic promotion in League One. I believe they'll improve that prospect by winning at Fleetwood on Saturday. Lincoln have a wonderful opportunity to gain two successive promotions and are strong favourites to prevail at Barnet, who are languishing at the bottom of League Two. Wycombe's chances of going up to League One are also good and they will have high hopes at relegation-troubled Crewe.

Homes sweet homes: Stoke, third from bottom of the Premier League, have a new manager in Paul Lambert. I think he'll get off to a winning start when Huddersfield come to visit on Saturday. Huddersfield have steadily slipped in the past few months and are now one of at least 10 clubs involved in the battle to avoid relegation. Northampton's 2-1 victory at high-flying Bradford City was one of the best results last weekend and has given them a fighting chance of escaping relegation from League One. They are well worth a punt against MK Dons, who are far from safe themselves. Second from bottom Rochdale have a lot of ground to recover but they can make a start against Southend, whose away record is poor and includes 10 defeats.


Pools info: Derby v Bristol City (match No 12 on coupon) and Newport v Crawley (42) have been brought forward to Friday and are therefore void.


Betting info: I scored five out of six with my away selections last weekend. Derby, Charlton, Fleetwood, Newport and St Mirren all obliged.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 13-14

Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Burnley, Burton v Queens Park Rangers, Ipswich v Leeds, Blackburn v Shrewsbury, Oldham v Rotherham, Cambridge v Mansfield, Exeter v Coventry, Lincoln v Notts County, Wycombe v Colchester, Morton v Falkirk.

Best draws: Ipswich v Leeds, Blackburn v Shrewsbury, Oldham v Rotherham, Cambridge v Mansfield, Exeter v Coventry.

Best weekend away bets: Derby, Charlton, Fleetwood, Luton, Newport, St Mirren.

Best weekend home bets: Newcastle, Tottenham, Watford, Bristol City, Hull, Nottingham Forest, Gillingham, Morecambe, Swindon, Arbroath.


Pick of the draws: The downbeat mood of Ipswich fans cannot have been improved by the team losing at home to Sheffield United in the FA Cup third round last Saturday. However, Ipswich's opponents, Leeds, fared even worse, going out to Newport, of League Two. Leeds have not drawn away in the Championship this season but I predict they'll get something at Portman Road. Unfashionable Shrewsbury are second in League One on merit with only three defeats to their name this season. A trip to Blackburn, who lie third, is no easy task but I'm backing Shrewsbury to hold Tony Mowbray's team. Rotherham are making a spirited challenge for the League One play-off places and will be hoping for at least a point at Oldham, where the goals have dried up recently. League Two play-off contenders Mansfield have begun 2018 well, including drawing at Championship side Cardiff in the FA Cup, and are well equipped to share the spoils at mid-table Cambridge. Coventry are on a roll, having moved into third spot in League Two and knocking Premier League Stoke out of the FA Cup last weekend. They travel to home specialists Exeter, who are more likely to give them a tougher match than Stoke.

Away days: Manager Gary Rowett has just signed a new contract at promotion-seeking Derby and will be keen to put one over Birmingham, the club that sacked him midway through last season and have been regretting it ever since. Derby lie second in the Championship whereas Birmingham are second from bottom. Charlton halted their League One slump with a 1-0 home win over Oldham last Saturday and look an away banker against rock bottom Bury. Fleetwood, having given Leicester a scare in the FA Cup last weekend, will go to ailing Southend with confidence while League Two leaders Luton must fancy themselves at relegation-threatened Chesterfield. FA Cup giant-killers Newport are well worth a punt at off-colour Grimsby and St Mirren, top of the Scottish Championship, are recommended at lowly Dumbarton.

Homes sweet homes: Hull's FA Cup tie at Blackburn last Saturday was a potential banana skin but they kept their feet to progress to the next round and that victory will encourage them in their attempt to avoid relegation from the Championship. Hull host Reading, who are clearly out of sorts and were lucky to escape defeat when facing League Two Stevenage in the FA Cup last Saturday. Nottingham Forest's deserved 4-2 win over Arsenal at the City Ground last Sunday has given them an enormous lift and I believe they'll send Aston Villa packing. League Two strugglers Morecambe have a real opportunity to move further away from the drop zone when they entertain Stevenage, who have lost their past five games on the road.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 6-7

Ten draws: Birmingham v Burton, Bolton v Huddersfield, Millwall v Barnsley, Shrewsbury v West Ham, Stevenage v Reading, Oxford v Blackpool, Barrow v Tranmere, Dover v Aldershot, Maidenhead v Halifax, Livingston v Queen of South.

Best draws: Birmingham v Burton, Bolton v Huddersfield, Stevenage v Reading, Barrow v Tranmere, Dover v Aldershot.

Best weekend away bets: Leicester, Sheffield United, Preston, Bradford City, Port Vale, Sutton United.

Best weekend home bets: Cardiff, Blackburn, Doncaster, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Watford, Wolves, Plymouth, Accrington, Leyton Orient.


Pick of the draws: It's FA Cup third-round weekend and in Birmingham v Burton we have two
well-matched teams playing against each other. Both are struggling in the Championship but are showing signs of reviving. Birmingham have just beaten Leeds (home) and Reading (away) while Burton have won three consecutive away fixtures. A case could be made for either side but it's more likely to end in deadlock. Bolton, another lowly Championship team, have also raised their game recently to climb out of the relegation zone. They can hold promoted Huddersfield, whose Premier League away form leaves much to be desired. Stevenage, of League Two, are much better at home than on their travels and may relish the prospect of facing Reading, whose Championship season has been so disappointing. Barrow gained an unexpected point at high-flying Wrexham in the National League on Monday and I'm backing them to do the same against promotion contenders Tranmere, who crashed 5-2 at Fylde. Second-placed Aldershot enjoyed a particularly good Christmas and I'm taking them to keep up the good work by sharing the spoils at Dover, who are in the play-off positions.

Away days: I'm confident that Premier League Leicester won't make the mistake of underestimating Fleetwood, of League One, and will progress to the FA Cup fourth round. Sheffield United have slipped out of the Championship play-off positions but they are more consistent than their hosts Ipswich and get my vote in one of the more interesting third-round ties. I expect on-form Preston to go through at Wycombe, from League Two, while Bradford City's outstanding away form should serve them well at Yeovil. Port Vale, one of the most improved sides in the country, are strongly recommended at Forest Green, who are bottom of League Two, and Sutton, third in the National League, are worth a punt at Gateshead, who are erratic.

Homes sweet homes: Tony Mowbray's Blackburn, third in League One, are probably a better team than Hull, 21st in the Championship, and I think they'll prove it at Ewood Park on Saturday. Fulham, mid-table in the Championship, are suddenly finding the net after being shot-shy and must fancy their chances of knocking Southampton out of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage. Ailing Saints may see avoiding relegation from the Premier League as their priority. Leyton Orient, in the lower reaches of the National League, have responded well to their new manager Justin Edinburgh and I'll be surprised if they don't climb the table from this point. They'll be looking for three points from their fixture against Boreham Wood and I believe they'll get them.


Pools info: The third-round FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Derby (match No 15 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.