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.