Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 2-3

 Ten draws: Tottenham v Leeds, Birmingham v Blackburn, Huddersfield v Reading, Stoke v Bournemouth, Shrewsbury v Crewe, Barrow v Exeter, Leyton Orient v Salford, Walsall v Carlisle, Aberdeen v Dundee United, Rangers v Celtic.

Best draws: Tottenham v Leeds, Shrewsbury v Crewe, Leyton Orient v Salford, Aberdeen v Dundee United, Rangers v Celtic.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Leicester, Arsenal, Lincoln, Oxford, Wigan, St Johnstone.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Crystal Palace, Brentford, Luton, Norwich, Preston, Forest Green, Newport, Stevenage, Hibernian, Montrose.

Pick of the draws: Leeds are not flattered by their 11th placing in the Premier League and that 5-0 midweek away win at West Bromwich Albion was a huge boost. They can take a point off Tottenham, who are without a win from their past four league fixtures. Shrewsbury are steadily climbing League One  but Crewe, their visitors, are unbeaten in their last six. Leyton Orient returned to winning ways in League Two with a 2-0 midweek victory over bottom club Southend but Salford, who are eyeing promotion, should provide tougher opposition. Dundee United have recently come conjured two last-minute equalisers against Hibernian (away) and Motherwell (home) in the Scottish Premiership, which ought to bolster their belief when they travel to Aberdeen. There are signs that Celtic are regaining their mojo and I believe they'll hold runaway leaders Rangers in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

Away days: If Leicester can beat Tottenham away 2-0 then a Sunday trip to Newcastle won't hold any fears. A crisis at Arsenal has been averted by consecutive wins over Chelsea (home) and Brighton (away). They'll be disappointed not to make it three in a row on Saturday at struggling West Brom, who were thrashed at home by Leeds in midweek. Free-scoring League One leaders Lincoln are highly recommended at Wimbledon, as are improving Oxford, who will surely prevail at bottom club Burton. Wigan have at last climbed off the foot of the table and are in better form than hosts Swindon, who have slipped below them. In the Scottish Premiership I reckon St Johnstone will leave Ross deeper in the mire.

Homes sweet homes: Luton are still punching above their weight in the Championship and I fancy them to take another three points at the expense of disappointing Queens Park Rangers. Successive victories have sent Preston into the top half of the table and they have another winnable game against goal-shy Nottingham Forest. League Two strugglers Stevenage gained a badly needed three points at home to Cambridge in midweek and I think they'll follow that up by defeating Scunthorpe.

Pools info: Peterborough v Doncaster (No.26 on coupon), Rochdale v MK Dons (28) and Bradford City v Morecambe (33) have been postponed because of Covid and will be assessed by the pools panel.

I correctly forecast the following six draws last weekend: Leicester v Manchester United (2-2), Wolves v Tottenham (1-1), Coventry v Stoke (0-0), Exeter v Forest Green (1-1), Crawley v Newport (1-1) and Dundee United v Motherwell (1-1). 

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

Ten draws: Leicester v Manchester United, Wolves v Tottenham, Cardiff v Brentford, Coventry v Stoke, Doncaster v Accrington, Cambridge v Leyton Orient, Crawley v Newport, Exeter v Forest Green, Dundee United v Motherwell, Kilmarnock v Livingston.

Best draws: Leicester v Manchester United, Cardiff v Brentford, Doncaster v Accrington, Cambridge v Leyton Orient, Exeter v Forest Green.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Chelsea, Southampton, Swansea, Celtic, St Mirren, Notts County.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City, Derby, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Blackpool, Lincoln, Southend, Rangers.

Pick of the draws: Manchester United were scintillating when beating Leeds 6-2 at home last Sunday and their marvellous form on the road in the Premier League (six wins out of seven) should serve them well at second-placed Leicester, who find it harder to win at home than away. Brentford, Championship promotion candidates and League Cup semi-finalists, are formidable opponents and they'll be disappointed not to get anything out of their trip to Cardiff. Doncaster and Accrington are two unfashionable League One sides who are in promotion contention and this fixture looks one of the best draws on the coupon. Cambridge have fallen away in League Two after occupying the promotion positions and I'm tipping Leyton Orient to come away with a point. Forest Green's climb into second place is no fluke and I fancy them to hold free-scoring Exeter.

Away days: Chelsea have lost their past two Premier League away matches to Everton (1-0) and Wolves (2-1) but they will surely end that sequence against Arsenal, who are in an alarming downward spiral. The crisis-torn Gunners are 15th, having not won in the league since early November. Southampton should have too much flair and firepower for lowly Fulham while Swansea, who are third in the Championship, will be confident of prevailing at struggling Queens Park Rangers. Celtic have a lot of ground to make up on Rangers, who are runaway leaders in the Scottish Premiership, but can make a start by defeating second-from-bottom Hamilton. St Mirren are going in the right direction and are recommended at bottom club Ross. I believe Notts County will strengthen their promotion hopes in the National League by winning at King's Lynn.

Homes sweet homes: Derby are at last perking up in the Championship and three points against inconsistent Preston are a distinct possibility. Nottingham Forest, like Derby, ought to be higher than they are and will be looking for a maximum haul against Birmingham, who seem capable of losing to anybody. Although Southend prop up League Two, their recent improvement has been noted and they have a fighting chance of victory against mid-table Colchester.

Pools info: Bournemouth v Millwall (No.13 on coupon), Gillingham v Peterborough (27), Ipswich v Northampton (28) and Sunderland v Hull (33) have been postponed because of the Covid crisis and will be assessed by the pools panel.

  

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of December 19-20

Ten draws: Newcastle v Fulham, Southampton v Manchester City, Huddersfield v Watford, Millwall v Nottingham Forest, Accrington v Blackpool, Wimbledon v Crewe, Rochdale v Gillingham, Forest Green v Carlisle, Grimsby v Scunthorpe, Walsall v Port Vale.

Best draws: Newcastle v Fulham, Accrington v Blackpool, Wimbledon v Crewe, Forest Green v Carlisle, Walsall v Port Vale.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Coventry, Doncaster, Lincoln, Queen's Park.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Brighton, Norwich, Swansea, Wycombe, Fleetwood, Plymouth, Bolton, Bradford City, Leyton Orient, Hibernian.

Pick of the draws: Fulham have made significant strides recently and their display in last Sunday's 1-1 home draw with Liverpool revived hopes that they will avoid a quick return to the Championship. They can pinch a point at Newcastle, although Steve Bruce's sides should never be underestimated. Accrington and Blackpool, who meet in League One on Saturday, are bang in form and go into their clash on the back of midweek victories - Accrington 2-0 at Gillingham, Blackpool 3-2 at home to high-flyers Hull. Crewe, with three wins and a draw in their last four league matches, have moved into the top half of the table and look good for a share of the spoils at Wimbledon. Promotion-chasing Forest Green and Carlisle are very evenly matched in League Two and hard to separate. There are signs that Port Vale have arrested their slump and I'm taking them to hold Walsall.

Away days: Despite their creditable midweek away draw against Manchester City, West Brom are in turmoil near the foot of the Premier League, which gives Aston Villa an ideal opportunity for another three points on the road. Bournemouth are a sound bet for an instant return to the top flight and are recommended at mid-table Luton. Sheffield Wednesday's expected revival under Tony Pulis has not materialised. They are still rooted to the bottom of the Championship and Coventry should take advantage. Consecutive home wins have put Doncaster in the League One play-off positions and they appear to have a fairly straightforward task at bottom club Burton. Although Lincoln's promotion surge has stalled with two successive home defeats, I still fancy them to overcome ailing Northampton. Queen's Park, the Scottish League Two leaders, are unbeaten after eight matches and will be confident of prevailing at Annan.

Homes sweet homes: Championship strugglers Wycombe gave second-placed Bournemouth a fright in midweek, despite going down to 10 men, and they are well worth a punt against goal-shy Queens Park Rangers. In League One, Plymouth's terrible run of six consecutive losses has to end sometime and I think it will when they host MK Dons. Bradford City's plight - third from last in League Two - has been most unexpected. I'll be surprised if their woeful form continues and their fightback could start against Cambridge on Saturday.

Pools info: I scored eight out of ten home wins last weekend. The eight were Leicester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers, Peterborough, Carlisle, Morecambe and Celtic.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of December 12-13

Ten draws: Wolves v Aston Villa, Derby v Stoke, Nottingham Forest v Brentford, Doncaster v Gillingham, Ipswich v Portsmouth, Lincoln v Sunderland, Swindon v Fleetwood, Forest Green v Cambridge, Salford v Cheltenham, St Johnstone v Livingston.

Best draws: Wolves v Aston Villa, Derby v Stoke, Ipswich v Portsmouth, Lincoln v Sunderland, Salford v Cheltenham.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Tottenham, Liverpool, Watford, Accrington, Rangers, Hibernian.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Leicester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Blackpool, Bristol Rovers, Peterborough, Carlisle, Morecambe, Celtic.

Pick of the draws: Wolves were beaten 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday and it could have been more. However, Aston Villa have also slipped up recently and stalemate looks the likeliest outcome. Derby's 1-0 win at Millwall last weekend lifted them off the foot of the Championship table but they face a Stoke side who are contesting the play-off places. However, they have shown enough improvement under Wayne Rooney's interim management to gain a draw. Portsmouth are coming on strong in League One and will fancy their chances of at least a point at Ipswich, even though Ipswich came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Plymouth last Saturday. I believe Sunderland have made a good managerial appointment in Lee Johnson. They face a tough test at second-placed Lincoln, which I think they'll pass. Cheltenham, strong promotion contenders in League Two, may have to settle for a share of the spoils at Salford, who will probably be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

Away days: Premier League leaders Tottenham are the pride of London at the moment and should account for Crystal Palace, although Palace scored five at West Brom last Sunday. Liverpool, having crushed Leicester (3-0) and Wolves (4-0) at Anfield, won't fear a trip to Fulham, who are just above the relegation zone. Watford regained their composure and third place with a midweek 2-0 home victory over Rotherham in the Championship and I reckon they'll have too much for goal-shy Birmingham. In League One, Accrington, now lying seventh, continue to confound the pundits and are recommended at bottom club Wigan. Rangers, 11 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, look banker material at Dundee United and Hibernian will also start firm favourites at Hamilton.

Homes sweet homes: Cardiff, with four consecutive Championship wins behind them, have the momentum and I'm tipping them to see off Swansea in the Welsh derby. Bristol Rovers are finding the net again under Paul Tisdale's managership, having beaten non-League Darlington 6-0 in the FA Cup second round and put four past Wimbledon last weekend. They are worth a punt against Plymouth, who are fading fast. Neil Lennon is coming under intense pressure at Celtic, who are out of the Europa League and are way behind Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Despite all the speculation and unrest, I believe they'll stop the rot against Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of December 5-6

Ten draws: Chelsea v Leeds, West Brom v Crystal Palace, Stoke v Middlesbrough, Watford v Cardiff, Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers, Fleetwood v Blackpool, Cambridge v Oldham, Cheltenham v Exeter, Mansfield v Crawley, St Mirren v Aberdeen.

Best draws: Chelsea v Leeds, Watford v Cardiff, Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham v Exeter, Mansfield v Crawley.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Everton, Manchester United, Doncaster, Charlton, Salford, Kilmarnock.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Manchester City, Tottenham, Bristol City, Coventry, Reading, Swansea, Accrington, Sunderland, Bolton, Newport.

Pick of the draws: Leeds' 12th position in the Premier League looks false judging by the way they played when drawing with Arsenal at home and defeating Everton away. I expect their enterprising, attacking style to test Chelsea, despite the Londoners occupying third place on merit. At first glance Watford's task against Cardiff in the Championship on Saturday seems a straightforward affair but Cardiff recorded resounding home victories over Luton last Saturday and Huddersfield in midweek and may prove difficult to beat. Wimbledon's FA Cup exit at the hands of League Two Crawley last Sunday wasn't the best preparation for the visit of Bristol Rovers, who went on a goal spree against Darlington. League Two high-fliers Cheltenham and Exeter meet on Saturday. Both won in midweek and both reached the FA Cup third round last weekend by eliminating supposedly superior opponents. Crawley's reliable away form should serve them well at lowly Mansfield but the hosts have been boosted by Nigel Clough's appointment as manager.

Away days: Burnley look set for a long, hard winter. Manchester City put five past them last Saturday, so this is a golden opportunity for Everton to get back on the winning track. Manchester United's away record this season is outstanding. Recent wins have come at Everton and Southampton, the latter after going in at the interval 2-0 down, so they are in the mood to add West Ham to their list of victims. In League One, Doncaster seem on the upgrade and well equipped to take three points at Northampton. The same goes for fourth-placed Charlton, who visit struggling Shrewsbury. I believe Salford will improve their League Two promotion prospects by beating Barrow and Kilmarnock will surely rate their chances at bottom club Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership.

Homes sweet homes: Tottenham beat Arsenal at home towards the end of last season and now that they are Premier League leaders will be confident of doing the same on Sunday. An ailing Arsenal badly need a good result but it's hard to see them getting it against Jose Mourinho's Spurs. Late away goals in their past two Championship games have helped Coventry in their fight to avoid relegation. The goals gained 1-1 draws at Norwich and Derby and I think they'll go one better on Saturday by beating Rotherham. Bolton have put their nightmare start to the season behind them in League Two and I expect Port Vale, their opponents, to suffer.

Pools info: The Friday match between Aston Villa v Newcastle (No 1 on coupon) has been postponed  because of the coronavirus and will go down as void. Brighton v Southampton (2) is being played on Monday and will be assessed by the pools panel.