Pools tips and best bets for weekend of February 1-2

Ten draws: Leicester v Chelsea, West Ham v Brighton, Hull v Brentford, Preston v Swansea, Accrington v Wimbledon, Ipswich v Peterborough, MK Dons v Wycombe, Mansfield v Carlisle, Port Vale v Salford, Kilmarnock v Ross.

Best draws: Leicester v Chelsea, Accrington v Wimbledon, Ipswich v Peterborough, MK Dons v Wycombe, Port Vale v Salford.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Arsenal, Norwich, Bristol City, Colchester, Northampton, Crewe.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Charlton, Fulham, Leeds, Cardiff (Friday), Oxford, Portsmouth, Cheltenham, Crawley, Hibernian, Rangers.


Pick of the draws: The disappointment of their League Cup semi-final defeat against Aston Villa in midweek may weight heavily on Leicester in Saturday's early Premier League game and Chelsea's away record of seven wins and a draw is impressive. Accrington are probably safe from relegation to League Two but they don't inspire confidence and Wimbledon, who are two places below them, can share the spoils. Ipswich were knocked off the top of League One by Rotherham in midweek and face Peterborough, whose promotion push is back on track after three consecutive victories. High-flyers Wycombe have wobbled lately and could be held by MK Dons, whose midweek home win over Rochdale put them six points clear of the relegation zone. Port Vale play Salford and these mid-table League Two sides had excellent midweek results against Exeter (3-1, home) and Cambridge (4-0, away) respectively. Perhaps the most likely draw on the coupon.

Away days: Arsenal must find a way to turn their draws (12 of them) into wins. With ace marksman Aubameyang returning after a three-match suspension, they could do it at Burnley, who have already lost six league games at Turf Moor. Norwich may be bottom of the Premier League but they have not given up hope. They played well in defeat at Tottenham and deservedly won at Burnley in the FA Cup last Saturday. Norwich will be looking for maximum points at Newcastle, who are flattered by their 14th position. Bristol City, who are better away, have climbed into the Championship play-off places and won't fear a trip to erratic Queens Park Rangers. Fifth-placed Colchester, having beaten League Two leaders Swindon 3-1 at home in midweek, will be firm favourites to prevail at ailing Cambridge and the same can be said for sixth-placed Northampton, who go to lowly Macclesfield. Crewe, back in the automatic promotion positions, can complete a trio of League Two away triumphs at Walsall.

Homes sweet homes: I'm taking Cardiff, who defeated promotion-seeking West Bromwich Albion
2-1 at home in midweek, to keep climbing the Championship table and collect another three points when Reading are the visitors on Friday. League One Portsmouth are bang in form with seven consecutive wins and I believe they'll strengthen their promotion challenge by beating Sunderland, who are two places above them. Rangers in pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title, unexpectedly slipped up last weekend at bottom club Hearts and they will be determined to make amends against under-performing Aberdeen.

Pools info: Three of my five best draws delivered last weekend: Southampton v Tottenham (1-1), Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood (0-0) and Scunthorpe v Crewe (2-2).

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 26-27

Ten draws: Burnley v Norwich, Southampton v Tottenham, West Ham v West Brom, Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood, Carlisle v Walsall, Mansfield v Bradford City, Scunthorpe v Crewe, Hamilton v Livingston, St Johnstone v Kilmarnock, Clyde v East Fife.

Best draws: Southampton v Tottenham, West Ham v West Brom, Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood, Scunthorpe v Crewe, St Johnstone v Kilmarnock.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Sheffield United, Newport, Plymouth, Rangers, Aberdeen, Partick.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Brentford, Portsmouth, Burton, Ipswich, Sunderland (Friday), Morecambe, Salford, Motherwell, Dundee United, Falkirk.

Pick of the draws: Although Southampton slipped up at home to Wolves last Saturday after being 2-0 ahead, the threat of relegation from the Premier League is becoming a distant memory. They are at least the equals of Tottenham, whom they host in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend. Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion have stuttered lately but they have a reasonable chance of forcing a replay at West Ham, who are just above the Premier League drop zone. Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood in League One is a clash between two out-of-form sides, so a draw is the safest bet. Promotion-chasing Crewe needed an added-time equaliser to salvage a League Two point at Macclesfield in midweek and life probably won't be easier at Scunthorpe, who came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Bradford City last weekend. St Johnstone are catching up Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership and can share the spoils.

Away days: Sheffield United have lost only twice away this season - at Liverpool and Man City. Provided they play a reasonably strong team, that record shouldn't be in danger when they visit Millwall, of the Championship, in the FA Cup. There are signs that Newport are back in the groove after victories over League Two leaders Swindon (home) and Scunthorpe (away). I back them to make it three in a row at Leyton Orient, who have won only twice at home. Plymouth are another League Two side on a roll and will rate their chances at Stevenage, who are in deep in relegation trouble. The challenge by Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title should be strengthened when they play at bottom club Hearts on Sunday while on the same day fourth-placed Aberdeen ought to prevail at struggling St Mirren. Partick, second from bottom of the Scottish Championship but with four wins on the road, are worth a wager at Arbroath, who are tumbling down the table.

Homes sweet homes: Brentford's form, as well as their style, is very impressive and the high-flying Championship club are well capable of beating Leicester in the FA Cup. Portsmouth continue to surge up the League One table, which gives them a fighting chance of causing a cup upset against lowly Championship team Barnsley, who lost 3-0 at home to Preston in midweek. Morecambe, who are holding up League Two, don't win many football matches but have the ideal visitors in fast-fading Cambridge, who crashed 4-0 at home to fellow strugglers Stevenage last Saturday.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 18-19

Ten draws: Arsenal v Sheffield United, West Ham v Everton, Derby v Hull, Huddersfield v Brentford, Preston v Charlton, Doncaster v Coventry, Gillingham v Oxford, Lincoln v Blackpool, Walsall v Crawley, Barrow v Bromley.

Best draws: Arsenal v Sheffield United, Preston v Charlton, Doncaster v Coventry, Gillingham v Oxford, Walsall v Crawley.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Leicester, Chelsea, Cardiff, Portsmouth, Ipswich, Harrogate.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday, Swansea, Accrington, Rotherham, Wycombe, Newport, Northampton, Plymouth, Dundee United.

Pick of the draws: Sheffield United's only two away defeats in the Premier League this season have been at Liverpool and Manchester City. They deserve to be in the top six and will be confident of maintaining that record at Arsenal, who are still adjusting to a new manager and will be without their leading scorer Aubameyang, who is suspended. Preston have fallen away badly in the Championship, whereas Charlton, their visitors, appear to have arrested their slump. They played well in their 2-2 home draw with leaders West Bromwich Albion last Saturday. Seven draws show that Coventry are a tough nut to crack away from home in League One and I tip them to pinch another point at improving Doncaster. Oxford's promotion charge has been halted recently and Gillingham have the credentials to frustrate them again. Crawley's 2-1 home success against promotion-chasing Bradford City last Saturday will have boosted morale and they can share the spoils at Walsall, who are mid-table in League Two.

Away days: Leicester, third in the Premier League, surprisingly lost at home to Southampton last weekend but they have a good opportunity to return to winning ways on Sunday at Burnley, who are slipping closer to the relegation zone. Only Liverpool are doing better away than Chelsea, who will be firm favourites to beat the injury-ravaged Newcastle. Birmingham's poor record at St Andrew's in the Championship will encourage visitors Cardiff, who need three points to enter the promotion reckoning. Portsmouth, just outside the League One play-off positions, look an away banker at doomed Bolton, while third-placed Ipswich will fancy their chances at struggling Tranmere. Harrogate, who are thriving in the National League, are recommended at lowly Ebbsfleet.

Homes sweet homes: Maximum points are essential for Norwich if they are not to be cast adrift at the foot of the Premier League and I think they'll get them against fellow strugglers Bournemouth, who are having a terrible run of results, including a 3-0 home loss to Watford last Sunday. Two consecutive wins suggest that Newport are reviving and they are worth a wager against League Two leaders Swindon. The Scottish Cup always provides plenty of upsets and I believe Dundee United, the runaway Championship leaders, are worth backing against Hibernian, of the Premiership, on Sunday.

Pools info: Fulham v Middlesbrough (No 10 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void. Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Middlesbrough v Derby (2-2), Peterborough v Gillingham (0-0) and Leyton Orient v Grimsby (1-1).

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 11-12

Ten draws: Brentford v Queens Park Rangers, Hull v Fulham, Middlesbrough v Derby, Stoke v Millwall, Burton v Fleetwood, Peterborough v Gillingham, Leyton Orient v Grimsby, Salford v Northampton, Swindon v Crewe, Dundee v Ayr.

Best draws: Hull v Fulham, Middlesbrough v Derby, Peterborough v Gillingham, Leyton Orient v Grimsby, Salford v Northampton.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tranmere, Plymouth, Falkirk.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, Leicester, Wolves, Reading, Coventry, Oxford, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Exeter, Inverness.

Pick of the draws: Although Fulham had a morale-boosting FA Cup victory over Aston Villa, they won't relish a trip to free-scoring Hull, who are competing for the Championship play-off positions. Wayne Rooney's arrival is having a positive effect on Derby, who have won their past two matches, including knocking Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup. Their opponents Middlesbrough are also on an upward curve, which suggests that deadlock is the most likely result. Peterborough's League One promotion challenge has lost momentum and they'll be hard-pushed to beat Gillingham, who are away draw specialists. Ian Holloway's appointment as manager of League Two Grimsby has brought two consecutive victories and I can see them gaining a point at Leyton Orient, who have only won twice at home this season. Football League newcomers Salford are more than holding their own and I believe they'll deny Northampton, who are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Away days: Manchester City, fresh from their midweek League Cup success at Manchester United, appear far too strong for Aston Villa, who fear relegation from the Premier League. Arsenal, showing signs of reviving under new manager Mikel Arteta, have a good record at Selhurst Park and can leapfrog Crystal Palace in the table. It's foolhardy to bet against Liverpool at the moment and they'll be firm favourites to leave Tottenham with maximum points. League One strugglers Tranmere forced an FA Cup replay at Watford after being 3-0 down last Saturday. That feel-good factor should continue at Southend, who look doomed to relegation. Plymouth have regained their mojo in League Two and are expected to follow last weekend's 3-1 success at Scunthorpe with three points at lowly Carlisle. I think third-placed Falkirk will strengthen their Scottish League One promotion challenge by beating Peterhead.

Homes sweet homes: Reading, one of the most improved sides in the top four divisions, are well worth a punt against the better-placed Nottingham Forest in the Championship. Oxford are looking increasingly like promotion material and I tip them to prevail when they host Rotherham, fellow promotion challengers from League One. Sunderland, after a worrying slump, are right back in the promotion mix. They defeated Lincoln 3-1 at home last Saturday and I'm backing them to upset leaders Wycombe, who are experiencing a blip.

                                                                                                                                                  

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 4-5

Ten draws:  Brentford v Stoke, Fleetwood v Portsmouth, Queens Park Rangers v Swansea, Rotherham v Hull, Southampton v Huddersfield, Crawley v Forest Green, Swindon v Bradford City, Dundee v Inverness, Dunfermline v Ayr, Albion v Stirling.

Best draws: Fleetwood v Portsmouth, Rotherham v Hull, Crawley v Forest Green, Swindon v Bradford City, Dunfermline v Ayr.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Coventry, Barnsley, Cambridge, Colchester, Dundee United, Torquay.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Bournemouth, Cardiff, Charlton, Fulham, Preston, Sunderland, Cheltenham, Salford, Clyde, Raith.

Pick of the draws: It's FA Cup third round weekend and I believe Fleetwood v Portsmouth is one of the best draws on the coupon. Just two places and one point separate these League One sides. Pompey should recover from their surprising 3-1 defeat at Milton Keynes last Sunday and force a replay. Rotherham, who have emerged as automatic League One promotion contenders, have a fighting chance against Hull, mid-table in the Championship. Forest Green have faltered in their quest for promotion from League Two and may have to settle for a point at Crawley, who have moved well clear of the drop zone. League Two leaders Swindon, unexpectedly beaten 2-0 at Port Vale last Sunday, could suffer another disappointment at home to Bradford City, who have automatic promotion in their sights. Although Dunfermline lost to bottom Scottish Championship club Alloa at the weekend, they are usually strong at home and I tip them to hold the better-placed Ayr.

Away days: With two consecutive 4-1 away wins behind them in League One, Coventry's confidence must be soaring and I think they'll make the FA Cup fourth round at the expense of Bristol Rovers. Barnsley look determined to avoid relegation from the Championship and that spirit should serve them well at high-flying Crewe from League Two on Sunday. Macclesfield, deducted six points for breaches of EFL regulations, are now precariously placed in League Two and Cambridge should be able to take advantage. Colchester, in the play-off positions, are expected to confirm their superiority over bottom club Stevenage and the same can be said for Scottish Championship leaders Dundee United, who visit Queen of the South. In the National League, Torquay can cash in on the plight of Dagenham & Redbridge.

Homes sweet homes: Charlton, languishing in the Championship, haven't given their fans much to shout about but I predict an upset when they host promotion favourites West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup at The Valley on Sunday. Fulham, fifth in the Championship, have the skill and belief to knock struggling Aston Villa out of the Cup and are worth a punt. Although Preston's Championship form has suffered recently, they host Norwich, who are probably more concerned about avoiding relegation from the Premier League.