Pools tips and best bets for weekend of December 8-9

Ten draws: Burnley v Brighton, Leicester v Tottenham, Brentford v Swansea, Millwall v Hull, Sheffield Wednesday v Rotherham, Burton v Shrewsbury, Wycombe v Barnsley, Stevenage v Lincoln, Swindon v Newport, Hamilton v Hibernian.

Best draws: Burnley v Brighton, Brentford v Swansea, Burton v Shrewsbury, Wycombe v Barnsley, Stevenage v Lincoln.

Best weekend away bets: Wolves, Sunderland, Doncaster, Grimsby, Northampton, Forest Green.

Best weekend home bets: Chelsea, West Ham, Birmingham, Leeds, Stoke, Wimbledon, Colchester, Tranmere, Falkirk, Barrow.

Pick of the draws: A tremendous effort by Brighton in midweek - beating Crystal Palace 3-1 at home despite being a man short for over half the match - may catch up with them at Burnley, who badly need points to boost their hopes of Premier League survival. Brentford halted their slide down the Championship by holding West Bromwich Albion to a draw at The Hawthorns on Monday. Don't discount another stalemate when mid-table Swansea visit west London on Saturday. Shrewsbury have climbed away from the League One relegation zone and will be disappointed not to get something from their trip to Burton, who are immediately below them. Promoted Wycombe have adapted very well to a higher division and can frustrate the promotion-seeking and free-scoring Barnsley. Lincoln, hot favourites to go up from League Two, have a tough task at Stevenage, who beat leaders MK Dons at home recently and lie just below the play-off places.

Away days: Wolves, who halted their slump by defeating Chelsea at home in midweek, are better than their hosts Newcastle and I expect them to show that on Sunday against a team who have already lost six matches at St James' Park. Sunderland, second in League One with only one defeat to their name, should overcome Accrington, who have slipped down the table. Doncaster's 2-0 victory at Charlton in last weekend's FA Cup second round was well deserved. This weekend Doncaster appear to have an easier assignment at relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers. League Two Grimsby are suddenly finding the net after a barren run in front of goal and will fancy themselves at lowly Cheltenham. Northampton, who have markedly improved under Keith Curle, are worth a punt at Crawley while successful travellers Forest Green are highly recommended at Yeovil.

Homes sweet homes: If any team can inflict Manchester City's first Premier League defeat of the season it's Chelsea, who are difficult to contain when in full flow. League One strugglers Wimbledon have a new manager in Wally Downes and can celebrate his appointment by beating erratic Rochdale. Falkirk, second from bottom in the Scottish Championship, were surprise 3-2 winners at Inverness last Saturday. That should encourage them to break their duck at home, especially when their opponents are fellow strugglers Alloa.