Pools tips and best bets for weekend of February 1-2

 Ten draws: Bournemouth v Liverpool, Wolves v Aston Villa, Oxford v Bristol City, Watford v Norwich, Reading v Bolton, Wigan v Lincoln, Wimbledon v Bradford City, Cheltenham v Chesterfield, Morecambe v Fleetwood, Dundee v Hearts.

Best draws: Bournemouth v Liverpool, Oxford v Bristol City, Watford v Norwich, Reading v Bolton, Wimbledon v Bradford City.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Sheffield United, West Bromwich, Swindon, Crewe, Celtic, Ayr.

Ten homes: Brentford, Ipswich, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Stevenage, Port Vale, Rangers, St Mirren.

Pick of the draws: Bournemouth, with nine goals in their past two Premier League games, must have a chance of halting Liverpool's march to the title. The stylish manner of Bournemouth's wins over Newcastle (4-1, away) and Nottingham Forest (5-0, home) cannot be ignored and makes them contenders for European football next season. Oxford United and Bristol City, who play each other, are doing better than expected in the Championship and neither may come out on top. Watford will want to halt their slide but won't find it easy against Norwich, who hit Swansea for five at Carrow Road last weekend. Consecutive away losses at Leyton Orient (2-0) and Burton (3-2) in League One have dampened Reading's spirits and they need to stop the rot against Bolton, who have climbed into the play-off positions despite being without a manager. Wimbledon and Bradford City, two in-form sides, are among the many front-runners in League Two and I think they'll deny each other two points on Saturday. 

Away days: Sheffield United, second in the Championship, have the character to recover from last Friday's shock 3-0 home defeat by relegation-haunted Hull and I've a feeling that their hosts, fast-fading Derby, will suffer. West Brom, the division's draw specialists, finally cut loose by beating Portsmouth 5-1 at home last Saturday. Pompey showed minimal resistance and I doubt whether bottom club Plymouth will do much better. Veteran manager Ian Holloway has made a positive difference at Swindon, who are quickly climbing League Two and fancied to make it four wins in a row at second bottom Carlisle. Promotion-seeking Crewe have lost only three away fixtures, which should help them at Harrogate, who are poor at home. Celtic the runaway Scottish Premiership  leaders, are odds-on to triumph at Motherwell, who are in a slump. Ayr, second in the Scottish Championship and going well, are recommended at Hamilton, who crashed 3-0 at home to Raith in midweek.

Homes sweet homes: After chastening defeats against Manchester City (6-0, home) and Liverpool (4-1, away), Ipswich, in a Premier League relegation dogfight, will welcome a home match against seemingly doomed Southampton on Saturday. They will surely make the most of it. Shrewsbury, although at the foot of League One, are well worth a punt against mid-table Mansfield, who can't do anything right at the moment. Stevenage, with two unexpected away victories at Barnsley (1-0) and Wrexham (3-2) under their belt, will be in a positive frame of mind against faltering Exeter.

Pools info: Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Chesterfield v Port Vale (1-1), MK Dons v Wimbledon (0-0) and Tranmere v Gillingham (1-1).  

 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Jan 25-26

Ten draws: Norwich v Swansea, Preston v Middlesbrough, Exeter v Blackpool, Bradford City v Walsall, Cheltenham v Salford, Chesterfield v Port Vale, MK Dons v Wimbledon, Tranmere v Gillingham, Aberdeen v St Mirren, St Johnstone v Motherwell.

Best draws: Bradford City v Walsall, Cheltenham v Salford, Chesterfield v Port Vale, MK Dons v Wimbledon, Tranmere v Gillingham.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Arsenal, Rotherham, Grimsby, Hibernian, Peterhead, York. 

Ten homes:  Bournemouth, Brighton, Tottenham, Sunderland, Stockport, Wycombe, Doncaster, Notts County, Airdrieonians, Barnet.

Pick of the draws: Walsall, the runaway League Two leaders, have won nine consecutive league games. They have to slip up sometime and I think they will at Bradford City, who are steadily improving and just outside the play-off positions. Salford's 2-0 home defeat by Fleetwood last Saturday was unexpected but I think they will recover sufficiently to force parity at Cheltenham. Third-placed Port Vale's 3-2 home win over Newport will have restored some confidence and they appear on course for a point at Chesterfield. MK Dons and Wimbledon can't stand each other. This could be a bad-tempered affair and I wouldn't put money on either emerging victorious. Tranmere v Gillingham features two sides who are woefully out of form. Tranmere, third from bottom of League Two, need the points more but I can't see them getting more than one. 

Away days: After faltering at home against Aston Villa last Saturday, Arsenal know that nothing less than three points at Wolves will do if they are to stay in the Premier League title race. Wolves, who are just outside the drop zone, have lost their last three league matches after rallying briefly and will be apprehensive about this fixture. Rotherham, of League One, are on a roll and are recommended at Burton, despite the lowly hosts winning 2-1 at Wigan in midweek. Although League Two Grimsby have done nothing special recently, they are in better shape than their hosts Barrow, who keep sliding down the table. I fancy Hibernian, of the Scottish Premiership, to gain maximum points at Ross County, who were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Championship team Livingston last weekend. Peterhead, striving for promotion in Scottish League Two, should see off Spartans and York, among the front runners in the National League, ought to overcome struggling Boston. 

Homes sweet homes: Bournemouth must think the sky's the limit after their stunning 4-1 success at Newcastle last Saturday - the outstanding result of the weekend. As Bournemouth have already beaten Arsenal and Manchester City at home in the Premier League this season, they are well worth a punt against third-placed Nottingham Forest, who have also exceeded expectations. Neither Tottenham nor Leicester, who face each another on Sunday, can buy a league win at the moment. Home advantage will probably be important here, which is why I'm siding with Spurs. Although Airdrieonians look doomed to be relegated from the Scottish Championship, they have a chance to record only their second league victory of the season against Dunfermline, who are just one place above them.  

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 18-19

 Ten draws: Everton v Tottenham, Newcastle v Bournemouth, Coventry v Bristol City, Derby v Watford, West Bromwich v Stoke, Mansfield v Wycombe, Reading v Stockport, Rotherham v Charlton, Grimsby v Chesterfield, Ross v Livingston.

Best draws: Newcastle v Bournemouth, Coventry v Bristol City, Mansfield v Wycombe, Reading v Stockport, Ross v Livingston.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Barnsley, Wigan, Notts County, Bradford City, Crewe, Motherwell. Ten homes: Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Luton, Millwall, Birmingham, Port Vale, Salford, Swindon, Woking.

Pick of the draws: Bournemouth look capable of playing European football next season. They were seconds away from winning at Chelsea in midweek and it won't surprise me if they avoid defeat at Newcastle, even though the hosts have won their last nine matches. Coventry, of the Championship, have yet to benefit from the appointment of Frank Lampard as manager and won't find the better-placed Bristol City easy opponents. Wycombe, second in League One, have lost their manager to Luton at the most inappropriate time. They visit Mansfield, who are also feeling low after losing 2-0 at home to Wigan in the FA Cup third round. Reading have not drawn at home this season. That may change when they face Stockport, who are just behind them in League One and went out of the FA Cup with honour against Premier League Crystal Palace last Sunday. There's no reason for Livingston, third in the Scottish Championship, to be fearful of a trip to Ross County, who are struggling in the Scottish Premiership and in danger of bowing out of the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Away days: Barnsley, fifth in League One, are worth backing when they are away from home and look a good bet at lowly Bristol Rovers. Wigan, having won at Mansfield in the FA Cup in midweek, will feel confident going to Stevenage, who have scored only 18 goals in 23 games. League Two seems the most likely section for away wins. Free-scoring Notts County are recommended at Accrington and Bradford City should boost their promotion prospects by beating Carlisle, who are bottom. Second-placed Crewe will be disappointed not to gain maximum points at second-from-bottom Morecambe. I expect Motherwell to add to St Johnstone's pain in the Scottish Cup. 

Homes sweet homes: Leicester, fighting relegation from the Premier League, found some form in the FA Cup by thrashing Queens Park Rangers, of the Championship, 6-2 at home last weekend. They are worth a punt against Fulham on Saturday. Crisis club Luton appointed the much sought-after Matt Bloomfield as manager and I predict he will start his career at Kenilworth Road with a win over Preston in the Championship. Swindon, who are close to the League Two relegation zone, had much the better of their home goalless draw against promotion-seeking Crewe last Saturday and I fancy them to get the better of Barrow, who are five places higher.

Betting info: I scored five out of seven with my home selections last weekend. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Southampton and Walsall obliged for me. Three matches were postponed.

 

 

Pools tips for weekend of January 11-12

 Ten draws: Bristol City v Wolves, Middlesbrough v Blackburn, Preston v Charlton, Reading v Burnley, Sunderland v Stoke, Wimbledon v Cheltenham, Gillingham v Fleetwood, Grimsby v Notts County, Aberdeen v Hearts, Annan v Inverness/

Best draws: Bristol City v Wolves, Preston v Charlton, Reading v Burnley, Sunderland v Stoke, Gillingham v Fleetwood.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Oxford, Barnsley, Bolton, Huddersfield, MK Dons, Crewe. Ten homes: Bournemouth, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Leyton Orient, Norwich, Southampton, Port Vale, Walsall, Barnet.

Pick of the draws: Wolves, fighting relegation, lost 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Monday. On Saturday they face a tricky FA Cup third-round tie at Championship team Bristol City, who often deliver the goods at home. Preston, mid-table in the Championship, have drawn on 12 occasions this season and I've a feeling they'll have to settle for another stalemate after 90 minutes against League One Charlton, who are improving. Reading, in the hunt for promotion from League One, host Championship promotion contenders Burnley, who have let in only nine league goals this season. This has all the making of a tight affair. Stoke have not conceded in the Championship since Mark Robins was appointed manager and it won't surprise me if they force extra time in their visit to high-flying Sunderland. Gillingham, of League Two, have sacked manager Mark Bonner after their slump and could be held by Fleetwood, who are three points behind them.

Away days: New Oxford manager Gary Rowett has wasted no time in galvanising the Championship side and I expect them to reach the FA Cup fourth round at the expense of Exeter, from League One. Barnsley's fine away record is the main reason they are in the League One play-off positions and I believe they will continue their good form on the road at Northampton. Goals in the closing minutes earned Bolton a creditable 2-1 victory at Exeter last Saturday and they can also succeed at Rotherham. Huddersfield extended their long unbeaten record to 15 matches by beating second-placed Wycombe 1-0 away in midweek and they are recommended at Shrewsbury, who are third from bottom. MK Dons, of League Two, seem more comfortable away and will travel to struggling Carlisle with confidence. Consecutive home wins over Carlisle (3-2) and Bromley (4-1) have put promotion contenders Crewe in great heart for their trip to Swindon, who are too close to the drop zone for comfort.

Homes sweet homes: Leyton Orient, climbing quickly in League One, have a fair chance of causing an FA Cup third-round upset when they host Derby, who are toiling in the Championship. Norwich, mid-table in the second tier, are worth a wager against Brighton, who are eight games without a win in the Premier League. Southampton, rock bottom in the top flight, should be able to relax a bit more in the FA Cup and can go through against Championship team Swansea.

Pools info: Hamilton v Partick (No.45 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday night and is therefore void. A void match is worth two points. 

 

Pools tips for weekend of January 4-5

Ten draws: Aston Villa v Leicester, Crystal Palace v Chelsea, Blackburn v Burnley, Stoke v Plymouth, Watford v Sheffield United, Charlton v Reading, Lincoln v Stevenage, Bradford City v Grimsby, Cheltenham v Walsall, MK Dons v Salford.

Best draws: Aston Villa v Leicester, Crystal Palace v Chelsea, Blackburn v Burnley, Watford v Sheffield United, Charlton v Reading.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Arsenal, Brentford, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Dundee. 

Ten homes: Bournemouth, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sunderland, Barnsley, Cambridge, Leyton Orient, Wrexham, Colchester, Doncaster.

Pick of the draws: Relegation-threatened Leicester were unlucky to lose 2-0 at home to Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend and will feel they have a chance at Aston Villa, who are not living up to their early-season promise. Chelsea's form has dipped recently with defeats by Fulham (2-1, home) and Ipswich (2-0, away), whereas their lowly hosts, Crystal Palace, are now playing better. There's no love lost between Blackburn and Burnley in the Championship. These bitter Lancashire rivals are in the vanguard for promotion to the top flight and I think they will cancel each other out. Consecutive defeats against Cardiff (home) and Queens Park Rangers (away) have halted Watford's progress and they will be determined to make amends against high-flying Sheffield United, who also flopped over Christmas. Charlton v Reading is a clash between on-form League One sides with promotion aspirations and possibly the most likely three-pointer on the coupon.

Away days: Second-placed Arsenal will not let up in their pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool and maximum points at Brighton on Saturday should just about keep them in contention. Brentford have a great opportunity to improve their dismal away record when they visit rock-bottom Southampton. It's hard to back against fast-climbing Newcastle at the moment and they must be confident going to Tottenham, who are moving in the opposite direction. Leeds, the Championship leaders, will surely be too strong for struggling Hull. Birmingham, top of League One, paid the price for fielding a weakened team in their home goalless draw with Blackpool last Sunday. I can't see the manager making the same mistake at Wigan, where the Midlanders ought to collect three points. Dundee, who won 2-1 at St Mirren in their previous away game in the Scottish Premiership, will fancy themselves at St Johnstone, who are bottom.

Homes sweet homes: Although Cambridge are in the League One relegation zone, they are in better shape than their visitors Bristol Rovers, who are just outside it. Colchester's revival in League Two has not gone unnoticed and I expect their improvement to continue against Accrington, who are desperately trying to avoid the drop. I'm also tipping Doncaster to overcome fellow promotion contenders Port Vale, who have suddenly hit the wall. 

Pools info: Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Coventry v Millwall, Colchester v Doncaster and MK Dons v Crewe.