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.