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.