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.

                                                                                                                                                  

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 4-5

Ten draws:  Brentford v Stoke, Fleetwood v Portsmouth, Queens Park Rangers v Swansea, Rotherham v Hull, Southampton v Huddersfield, Crawley v Forest Green, Swindon v Bradford City, Dundee v Inverness, Dunfermline v Ayr, Albion v Stirling.

Best draws: Fleetwood v Portsmouth, Rotherham v Hull, Crawley v Forest Green, Swindon v Bradford City, Dunfermline v Ayr.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Coventry, Barnsley, Cambridge, Colchester, Dundee United, Torquay.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Bournemouth, Cardiff, Charlton, Fulham, Preston, Sunderland, Cheltenham, Salford, Clyde, Raith.

Pick of the draws: It's FA Cup third round weekend and I believe Fleetwood v Portsmouth is one of the best draws on the coupon. Just two places and one point separate these League One sides. Pompey should recover from their surprising 3-1 defeat at Milton Keynes last Sunday and force a replay. Rotherham, who have emerged as automatic League One promotion contenders, have a fighting chance against Hull, mid-table in the Championship. Forest Green have faltered in their quest for promotion from League Two and may have to settle for a point at Crawley, who have moved well clear of the drop zone. League Two leaders Swindon, unexpectedly beaten 2-0 at Port Vale last Sunday, could suffer another disappointment at home to Bradford City, who have automatic promotion in their sights. Although Dunfermline lost to bottom Scottish Championship club Alloa at the weekend, they are usually strong at home and I tip them to hold the better-placed Ayr.

Away days: With two consecutive 4-1 away wins behind them in League One, Coventry's confidence must be soaring and I think they'll make the FA Cup fourth round at the expense of Bristol Rovers. Barnsley look determined to avoid relegation from the Championship and that spirit should serve them well at high-flying Crewe from League Two on Sunday. Macclesfield, deducted six points for breaches of EFL regulations, are now precariously placed in League Two and Cambridge should be able to take advantage. Colchester, in the play-off positions, are expected to confirm their superiority over bottom club Stevenage and the same can be said for Scottish Championship leaders Dundee United, who visit Queen of the South. In the National League, Torquay can cash in on the plight of Dagenham & Redbridge.

Homes sweet homes: Charlton, languishing in the Championship, haven't given their fans much to shout about but I predict an upset when they host promotion favourites West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup at The Valley on Sunday. Fulham, fifth in the Championship, have the skill and belief to knock struggling Aston Villa out of the Cup and are worth a punt. Although Preston's Championship form has suffered recently, they host Norwich, who are probably more concerned about avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Dec 28-29

Ten draws: Burnley v Manchester United, Liverpool v Wolves, Millwall v Brentford, Queens Park Rangers v Hull, Accrington v Burton, Fleetwood v Bristol Rovers, Tranmere v Blackpool, Colchester v Exeter, Celtic v Rangers, Livingston v Hibernian.

Best draws: Burnley v Manchester United, Millwall v Brentford, Accrington v Burton, Fleetwood v Bristol Rovers, Celtic v Rangers.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Leicester, Leeds, Oxford, Ipswich, Portsmouth, Aberdeen.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Manchester City, Southampton, Watford, Fulham, Huddersfield, Preston, Gillingham, Forest Green, Plymouth, Motherwell.

Pick of the draws: Manchester United have a poor record against the Premier League's lesser teams, as shown when they lost 2-0 at Watford last Sunday. They'll be facing a Burnley side who have won their past two matches without conceding and may have to settle for a point. Brentford's arrival in the Championship play-off positions is no fluke. They drew at leaders West Bromwich Albion last weekend and can also deny Millwall victory. Burton away are as good as Burton at home in League One and I believe they'll force a stalemate at Accrington. A change of manager has not hindered promotion-chasing Bristol Rovers and I tip them to come away from Fleetwood with a point. Celtic v Rangers is the big match in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday. Rangers were unlucky to be beaten by their fierce rivals in the League Cup final and I rate their chances of being the first team to gain a point at Celtic Park this season.

Away days: Leicester's unbeaten Premier League run was ended by Manchester City last Saturday but a visit to West Ham is a far less daunting task and I think they'll return to winning ways. The narrow defeat suffered by second-in-the-table Leeds at Fulham in the Championship was probably only a temporary setback and they will surely have too much for Birmingham. Oxford, sixth in League One, gave Manchester City a real test in the League Cup before admitting defeat. They then beat leaders Wycombe last Saturday and are warmly recommended at Wimbledon. Faltering Ipswich have slipped out of the top two but their recovery can start at Lincoln. Portsmouth will start firm favourites at MK Dons, who are in the drop zone, and Aberdeen look an away banker at Hearts, who are bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Homes sweet homes: Southampton are out of the Premier League relegation zone after a merited 3-1 victory at Aston Villa last weekend. They are in the mood to climb higher and I'm taking them to beat Crystal Palace. Watford's first home win this season against Manchester United last Sunday has given them hope of survival. They are certainly playing better than Aston Villa, their struggling visitors, and they'll be confident of a second consecutive victory at Vicarage Road. Huddersfield, moving further away from the relegation zone in the Championship, are well worth a punt against Blackburn, who are better-placed.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Dec 21-22

Ten draws: Everton v Arsenal, Newcastle v Crystal Palace, Tottenham v Chelsea, Fulham v Leeds, Bolton v Southend, Doncaster v Accrington, Oxford v Wycombe, Rotherham v Fleetwood, Mansfield v Northampton, St Johnstone v St Mirren.

Best draws: Newcastle v Crystal Palace, Fulham v Leeds, Bolton v Southend, Doncaster v Accrington, Oxford v Wycombe.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Wolves, Swansea, Wimbledon, Plymouth, Newport, Crewe.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Brighton, Manchester City, Cardiff, Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Coventry, Gillingham, Bradford City, Colchester, Exeter.

Pick of the draws: Crystal Palace are more effective away than at home in the Premier League and should get something from their visit to Newcastle, who reverted to type when losing 1-0 at Burnley last Saturday. Championship promotion contenders Leeds will be kicking themselves for letting slip a 3-0 lead against Cardiff at Elland Road last weekend but they should have enough about them to gain a point at Fulham, who are brilliant one week and mediocre the next. Bolton v Southend is a battle of the no-hopers at the foot of League One and it's hard to make a case for either of them winning. Accrington's 4-1 home victory over Portsmouth was one of the best results of the weekend and they look good for at least a point at Doncaster, who are fading. Wycombe's runaway lead at the top of League One is the success story of the season but if any side can halt their surge it's Oxford, who have recovered so well from a terrible start.

Away days: Wolves, unlucky to lose at home to Tottenham last Sunday, will be eager to make amends and should do so at second-from bottom Norwich. Swansea stopped their slide in the Championship by beating Middlesbrough 3-1 at home last Saturday and will fancy their chances of a second consecutive win at Luton, who are close to the relegation zone. Although Wimbledon are only one place above Tranmere at the wrong end of League One, their form is more encouraging and I believe they'll come out on top. In League Two, Plymouth are recommended at cash-strapped Macclesfield and Newport are a confident selection at bottom club Morecambe. Crewe's best displays have come away this season and their record at struggling Stevenage is good.

Homes sweet homes: Brighton, who had much the better of their 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday and play attractive football, can inflict the first Premier League away defeat of the season on fifth-placed Sheffield United. Manchester City cruised to victory at Arsenal last Sunday. Leicester, second in the table and unbeaten in their past nine Premier League games, will be much tougher opponents but I'm taking City to gain three more points. Preston, third, are looking down on Cardiff, 12th, in the Championship but they are not the same threat away and I believe Cardiff will follow their 3-3 draw at Leeds with victory here.

Pools info: Blackburn v Wigan (No 10 on coupon) will be assessed by the pools panel while Middlesbrough v Stoke (16) is void.

I correctly forecast six out of ten draws last weekend: Manchester United v Everton, Stoke v Reading, Wigan v Huddersfield, Sunderland v Blackpool, Leyton Orient v Bradford City and Scunthorpe v Colchester.

My pools tips and best bets for the weekend of December 28-29 will appear on Christmas Eve.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of Dec 14-15

Ten draws: Burnley v Newcastle, Manchester United v Everton, Wolves v Tottenham, Nottingham Forest v Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke v Reading, Wigan v Huddersfield, Shrewsbury v Coventry, Sunderland v Blackpool, Leyton Orient v Bradford City, Scunthorpe v Colchester.

Best draws: Burnley v Newcastle, Wolves v Tottenham, Wigan v Huddersfield, Shrewsbury v Coventry, Sunderland v Blackpool.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Queens Park Rangers, West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth, Oxford, Rotherham, Livingston.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, Leicester, Sheffield United, Southampton, Preston, Wimbledon, Peterborough, Wycombe, Carlisle, Crewe.

Pick of the draws: Manager Steve Bruce is gaining favour with Newcastle fans after their climb up the Premier League and move away from the drop zone. Newcastle look good for at least a point at Burnley, who are travelling in the opposite direction. Tottenham are revitalised under Jose Mourinho but they'll have their work cut out at Wolves, who have lost only two league matches this season. Of all the Championship relegation candidates, Huddersfield look the most likely to escape. Having beaten Charlton 1-0 away in midweek, they can share the honours at Wigan. Shrewsbury have surprised many with their impressive League One form and they can deny victory to Coventry, who sit in the play-off positions and knocked Ipswich out of the FA Cup in midweek. Sunderland, who were among those fancied for promotion, languish in mid-table and won't be confident of seeing off an in-form Blackpool, who lie fourth.

Away days: Queens Park Rangers halted their Championship slump by defeating Preston 2-0 at home last Saturday. If they play as well at bottom club Barnsley they will surely gain three more points. West Brom, with just one league defeat all season, look too strong for Birmingham. Portsmouth are edging nearer the League One play-off places and will be confident of prevailing at Accrington. Oxford and Rotherham seem away bankers at MK Dons and Southend respectively and Livingston, convincing 3-0 home winners over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, are recommended at St Mirren.

Homes sweet homes: Southampton have started winning at St Mary's recently and should be backed against West Ham, who are slipping ever nearer the Premier League relegation zone. Wimbledon's knack of avoiding the drop is coming the fore again and they are well worth a punt against Doncaster, who are losing touch with the League One promotion contenders. Carlisle and Grimsby are on the same number of points (20) in League Two but Carlisle are in better form and I believe they'll make ground advantage pay.

Pools info: Charlton v Hull (No 13 on coupon) has been brought forward to Friday and is therefore void.