Pools tips and best bets for weekend of February 3-4

 Ten draws: Arsenal v Liverpool, Chelsea v Wolves, Huddersfield v Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough v Sunderland, Norwich v Coventry, Burton v Lincoln, Barrow v MK Dons, Salford v Wrexham, Tranmere v Crewe, Motherwell v Kilmarnock.

Best draws: Huddersfield v Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough v Sunderland, Burton v Lincoln, Salford v Wrexham, Tranmere v Crewe.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Aston Villa, Southampton, Leicester, Plymouth, Celtic, Chesterfield.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Bournemouth, Burnley, Blackburn, West Bromwich, Fleetwood, Leyton Orient, Colchester, Mansfield, Stockport, Rangers.

Pick of the draws: Huddersfield, who sacked manager Darren Moore after a 1-1 away draw with fellow Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers last Sunday, are finding it hard to escape from the danger zone. They host Sheffield Wednesday, who are in an even worse position, but there's no guarantee of a home win. Middlesbrough's confidence must have been damaged by their 6-1 defeat at Chelsea in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final, whereas Sunderland's morale was boosted when they beat Stoke 3-1 at home last Sunday. Burton and Lincoln, both in mid-table in League One, are goal-shy and I predict a low-scoring stalemate. At first glance, Salford v Wrexham, in League Two, looks an away banker but lowly Salford are unbeaten in their past four games under new manager Karl Robinson and came from behind to win at promotion-seeking Crewe last weekend. Crewe's unexpected 3-2 home loss last Saturday was probably just a blip but Tranmere are much improved and can gain a point.

Away days: I'm tipping Aston Villa to make an immediate recovery from their Premier League 3-1 home midweek defeat by Newcastle. Villa visit Sheffield United, who appear certain to make an instant return to the Championship. Southampton's 22-match unbeaten run doesn't look in any danger at Rotherham, who are bottom of the Championship. Leicester increased their lead at the top with a 3-1 midweek home victory over Swansea and should win again at Stoke. I'm backing Plymouth to record their first away success this season at ailing Swansea. Celtic, the Scottish Premiership leaders, start strong favourites at manager-less Aberdeen while Chesterfield, 16 points clear at the top of the National League, are highly recommended at Eastleigh.

Homes sweet homes: I believe it's worth a punt on Premier League strugglers Burnley to beat Fulham, who on their worst days could lose to almost anybody. Fleetwood, bottom of League One and with a new manager in Charlie Adam, face an uphill battle to stay up. However, they showed some spirit and desire in a 2-2 draw at Wycombe last Saturday, which should serve them well against Port Vale, who are slipping nearer the drop zone. Mansfield, third in League Two, have stumbled recently, losing 1-0 at home to Crewe, drawing 1-1 at home with second-last Sutton and losing 2-1 away to Wimbledon. Despite these setbacks, I'm backing them to defeat fellow promotion candidates Notts County.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 27-28

 Ten draws: Fulham v Newcastle, Millwall v Preston, Sunderland v Stoke, Cambridge v Burton, Wigan v Stevenage, Wimbledon v Mansfield, Forest Green v Accrington, Queen's Park v Ayr, Annan v Edinburgh, Aldershot v Rochdale.

Best draws: Sunderland v Stoke, Cambridge v Burton, Wigan v Stevenage, Wimbledon v Mansfield, Annan v Edinburgh.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Brighton, Bolton, Portsmouth, Leyton Orient, Stockport, Stenhousemuir.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Leeds, Leicester, Watford, Queens Park Rangers, Barnsley, Northampton, Crewe, Notts County, Morton, Chesterfield.

Pick of the draws: Sunderland continue to disappoint at home, easily knocked out of the FA Cup by bitter rivals Newcastle and losing 1-0 to Hull in the Championship last Friday. Don't be surprised if they drop more points to Stoke on Saturday. Burton's 2-0 home win over Charlton last weekend enabled them to move away from the League One danger zone and they won't be apprehensive about going to Cambridge, who are just above them. Play-off candidates Stevenage are better on their travels but will be tested by Wigan, who keep climbing the table. Wimbledon and Mansfield, who play each other on Saturday, had midweek setbacks in League Two, Wimbledon losing 3-1 at Milton Keynes Dons and Mansfield held to a 1-1 home draw by relegation favourites Sutton. Mansfield, in third place, are among the away draw specialists in this division  and I'm taking them to draw again. Edinburgh, bottom of Scottish League One, came within seconds of beating leaders Falkirk at home recently, which will encourage them at Annan, who are less formidable opponents.

Away days: Brighton look good value in the FA Cup. They won impressively at Stoke in the third round and I believe they'll go through at Sheffield United, who are holding up the rest of the Premier League. If Bolton want automatic promotion to the Championship they'll need to beat League One strugglers such as Carlisle. Portsmouth retained top spot in League One by winning 1-0 at bottom side Fleetwood last Saturday and I expect them to prevail by a similar margin at Port Vale. Leyton Orient have defeated Portsmouth (3-0 away) and Bolton (1-0 home) in their past two games, results which should serve them at crisis club Reading. League Two leaders Stockport are recommended at Doncaster, who have lapsed again, and Stenhousemuir, who top the Scottish League Two by 16 points, have my backing against runners-up Peterhead.

Homes sweet homes: I've a hunch that Southampton's remarkable 21-match unbeaten run will end on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round. Southampton's hosts, Watford, are doing quite well themselves in the Championship and drew 1-1 with the Saints at Vicarage Road last month. Of the three teams in the Championship drop zone, Queens Park Rangers look the most likely to escape. They beat Millwall 2-0 at home last Saturday and I think they'll gain three more points against fellow strugglers Huddersfield on Sunday. Promotion-seeking Notts County, from League Two, are worth a wager against higher-placed Barrow, who seem to be faltering. 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 20-21

 Ten draws: Norwich v West Bromwich, Queens Park Rangers v Millwall, Stoke v Birmingham, Exeter v Cambridge, Port Vale v Wycombe, Barrow v Crewe, Notts County v Stockport, Swindon v Tranmere, Kilmarnock v Dundee, Livingston v Raith.

Best draws: Queens Park Rangers v Millwall, Barrow v Crewe, Notts County v Stockport, Swindon v Tranmere, Livingston v Raith.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Liverpool, Coventry, Derby, Wrexham, Queen's Park, Hamilton.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Leeds, Middlesbrough, Sunderland (Friday), Burton, Cheltenham, Oxford, Peterborough, Gillingham, Mansfield, Solihull Moors.

Pick of the draws: Queens Park Rangers seem to be fighting a losing battle to stay in the Championship and they probably won't relish a London derby against Millwall, whose away record contrasts favourably with their form at home. Barrow (4th), host Crewe (5th) in League Two's match of the weekend. Although Barrow, unbeaten at home, appear to have the edge, Crewe are the form team, having won their past three games, including victory at high-flying Mansfield. I rate Notts County v Stockport the best draw on the coupon. Sixth-placed Notts are stronger in attack but weaker in defence, as was evident in their 5-5 draw at Grimsby last Saturday. I'm tipping Stockport, the League Two leaders, to become the first side to share the spoils at Notts this season. Tranmere's revival has been halted by consecutive defeats against Barrow (1-0) and Milton Keynes Dons (2-1) but they should be good enough to avoid defeat at Swindon, who are even more off-colour. I've a feeling that Livingston, bottom of the Scottish Premiership, will have to settle for a draw against Championship contenders Raith in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Away days: Premier League leaders Liverpool usually find a way to win when below their best, which is why I fancy them for three points at mid-table Bournemouth on Sunday. Coventry's 3-1 home victory over table-toppers Leicester last Saturday enabled them to climb into the Championship play-off positions. I think they'll have too much for relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday. Derby, League One promotion challengers, have gained nine away victories, the best in the division, and that should benefit them at Lincoln. Wrexham, second in League Two, can do little wrong at the moment and will travel to Newport with confidence. Queen's Park, having hauled themselves off the foot of the Scottish Championship with two unexpected wins, have a hat-trick in their sights at Dunfermline. Hamilton, runners-up in Scottish League One, will be disappointed at anything less than maximum points at Stirling. 

Homes sweet homes: In the only Championship fixture on Friday, I expect Sunderland to take advantage of Hull's recent uncertainty. In League One, Burton only lost to a late goal at Derby on Monday and will be optimistic about beating Charlton, who have not won a league match since late November. At the bottom of the table, Cheltenham, who defeated leaders Portsmouth 2-1 at home the Saturday before last, are in much better shape than their visitors Carlisle, who are one place below them. 

Pools info: I scored six out of ten with my draw selections last week: Everton v Aston Villa (0-0), Manchester United v Tottenham (2-2), Huddersfield v Plymouth (1-1), Colchester v Bradford City (1-1), Arbroath v Ayr (0-0) and Morton v Partick (1-1). 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 13-14

 Ten draws: Everton v Aston Villa, Manchester United v Tottenham, Huddersfield v Plymouth, Millwall v Middlesbrough, Preston v Bristol City, Barnsley v Bristol Rovers, Charlton v Peterborough, Colchester v Bradford City, Arbroath v Ayr, Morton v Partick.

Best draws: Millwall v Middlesbrough, Preston v Bristol City, Barnsley v Bristol Rovers, Colchester v Bradford City, Morton v Partick.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Watford, Stoke, Oxford, Notts County, Barrow, Falkirk.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Birmingham, Southampton, West Bromwich, Blackpool, Reading, Crawley, Crewe, Wrexham, Kelty Hearts, Forfar.

Pick of the draws: Middlesbrough may be thinking more of Wembley after beating Chelsea 1-0 at home in the midweek Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, which gives Millwall more opportunity in their Championship clash on Saturday. Bristol City, who have forced an FA Cup third-round home replay with West Ham next Tuesday, should be in the mood to take advantage of Preston going off the boil. Barnsley's indifferent home form has hindered their promotion challenge in League One and their mid-table opponents, Bristol Rovers, will have taken note. Danny Cowley's appointment as Colchester manager inspired them to fight back and draw 2-2 at Swindon last Saturday. The League Two strugglers host Bradford City, who are again falling short of expectations. Morton haven't drawn at home in the Scottish Championship this season but that sequence may end against Partick. Both sides had good wins last weekend - Morton 3-2 at Dundee United, who are second, and Partick 4-0 at home to bottom club Arbroath.

Away days: Although Watford made hard work of beating non-League Chesterfield at home in the FA Cup last weekend, their recent record has been encouraging. It's difficult to see them being inconvenienced by Queens Park Rangers, second last in the Championship. Stoke are a tougher proposition under new management and should be backed at Rotherham, who seem certain to go down. Despite Oxford being less than convincing lately, I believe they'll gain maximum points at Carlisle, who are in the League One relegation dogfight. Notts County, League Two promotion candidates, are recommended at Grimsby, who lost their last home match 6-1 to Walsall. It will be an upset if fourth-placed Barrow don't take three points at bottom side Sutton while Falkirk, runaway leaders of Scottish League One, appear even more of an away banker at ailing Edinburgh.

Homes sweet homes: Wayne Rooney's departure as manager may finally relax Birmingham. They need a victory to ease their fears of relegation from the Championship and I think it will come against Swansea, who are erratic. Reading's prospects of staying in League One have improved and their future could look even brighter after they've played Port Vale on Saturday. Second-from-bottom Forfar have failed to win at home in Scottish League Two this season but they'll be hopeful against Elgin, who are just above them.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 6-7

 Ten draws: Blackburn v Cambridge, Hull v Birmingham, Newport v Eastleigh, Peterborough v Leeds, Shrewsbury v Wrexham, Sunderland v Newcastle, Burton v Wycombe, Exeter v Carlisle, Barrow v Tranmere, Peterhead v Spartans.

Best draws: Newport v Eastleigh, Peterborough v Leeds, Shrewsbury v Wrexham, Sunderland v Newcastle, Exeter v Carlisle.

Best weekend football bets: Six aways: Ipswich, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Derby, Doncaster.

Best weekend football bets: Ten homes: Fulham (Friday), Chelsea, Luton, Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke, Swansea, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Elgin.

Pick of the draws: It's the third round of the FA Cup this weekend. Newport have done nothing special in League Two this season and are vulnerable to a challenge from National League Eastleigh, who scored five goals at Aldershot and another four at home to Dagenham & Redbridge last Saturday. Championship promotion contenders Leeds are not so sure of themselves away from home, having lost at Preston (2-1) and West Bromwich Albion (1-0) recently, and they have a difficult assignment at on-form Peterborough, who are third in League One. Wrexham are well placed to be promoted from League Two and it would be no surprise if they forced a replay at League One Shrewsbury. Sunderland, in the Championship play-off positions, will be relishing a visit from their bitter rivals Newcastle, who have now lost as many Premier League fixtures as they have won. Switching to a League One match between relegation-threatened clubs, I predict that Carlisle will avoid defeat at Exeter, despite one of the longest journeys in the English football calendar. 

Away days: Although Ipswich, Championship promotion candidates, are without a win in five, they should still prevail at League Two Wimbledon. Aston Villa have a good chance to improve their away record at Middlesbrough, who have already lost six home games in the Championship. Bournemouth's unbeaten run in the Premier League was ended by Tottenham last weekend but I expect them to bounce straight back against Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers. In League One, table-topping Portsmouth look a confident bet at lowly Cheltenham while high-flying Derby are equally recommended at Fleetwood, who are bottom. A 1-1 draw at Mansfield and a 3-0 home victory over Milton Keynes Dons in League Two on Monday must have lifted the mood at Doncaster. I'm tipping them to gain maximum points at Harrogate, who are poor at home.

Homes sweet homes: Of the three sides in the Championship drop zone, Sheffield Wednesday seem most likely to escape. They deserved their 1-0 win at Preston last Monday and they'll be looking to knock Cardiff out of the FA Cup on Saturday. I don't see many cup upsets this weekend but one of them could be at Stoke, who host an injury-weakened Brighton from the Premier League. Stoke have not lost a  Championship match since they appointed Steven Schumacher as manager. Lowly Elgin unexpectedly beat second-placed Peterhead 2-1 in Scottish League Two last Saturday, so they are worth a punt against mid-table Stranraer.