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.