Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Dec 22-23

Ten draws: Bournemouth v Brighton, Everton v Tottenham, Huddersfield v Southampton, Hull v Swansea, Nottingham Forest v Queens Park Rangers, Reading v Middlesbrough, Portsmouth v Sunderland, Bury v Tranmere, Grimsby v Notts County, Morecambe v Cambridge.

Best draws: Bournemouth v Brighton, Everton v Tottenham, Hull v Swansea, Portsmouth v Sunderland, Grimsby v Notts County.

Best weekend away bets: Manchester United, Sheffield United, West Bromwich, Preston, Carlisle, Kilmarnock.

Best weekend home bets: Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Stoke, Charlton, Plymouth, Southend, Forest Green, Stevenage.


Pick of the draws: Bournemouth have lost their mojo recently, dropping into the bottom half of the Premier League, and although Brighton are weak away from home, they can come away with a point. Tottenham are the only team in the top four divisions not to have drawn a league game - a record that could end at Goodison Park on Sunday as Everton will be eager to make amends for some disappointing results. Swansea are aiming to make the Championship play-offs but won't find it easy at Hull, who have moved five points clear of the relegation zone. Portsmouth v Sunderland is a clash between the League One promotion favourites (Pompey are first, Sunderland are third) and I don't expect either side to give much away. Notts County, second last in League Two, beat Tranmere 3-2 at home last Saturday to boost their chances of avoiding the drop, so don't be surprised if they share the spoils at improving Grimsby.

Away days: Expect a Man Utd resurgence now that manager Jose Mourinho has departed. They are strongly recommended at struggling Cardiff. Although Ipswich won at home for the first time in the Championship this season last weekend, I cannot see them repeating the trick against fourth-placed Sheffield United, who have six away victories to their credit. West Bromwich Albion appear to be the team most likely to catch front-runners Leeds and Norwich and they should have too much for Rotherham. On-form Preston are worth a wager at off-colour Sheffield Wednesday and Carlisle, fresh from their 4-0 trouncing of Colchester in League Two, won't fear a journey to Crawley. Kilmarnock, one of five sides in the mix for the Scottish Premiership title, must be fancied at lowly Hamilton.

Homes sweet homes: High-scoring Aston Villa are well worth a punt against Championship leaders Leeds on Sunday. Villa's results haven't quite matched their performances lately but they look capable of climbing into the play-off places. Plymouth, fourth from bottom of League One, are also worth backing against Accrington, who are slipping down the table and lost 3-0 at Southend last Saturday. League Two Stevenage can beat the best when they are on song and I believe they'll end Mansfield's unbeaten away record.