Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 16-17

Ten draws: Leeds v Brighton, Hamilton v Dundee United, St Johnstone v St Mirren, Inter Milan v Juventus, Sampdoria v Udinese, Hoffenheim v Bielefeld, Lorient v Dijon, Ajax v Feyenoord, Groningen v Twente, Waalwijk v Willem 11.

Best draws: Leeds v Brighton, Hamilton v Dundee United, St Johnstone v St Mirren, Inter Milan v Juventus, Ajax v Feyenoord.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Tottenham, Norwich, Doncaster, Crawley, Rangers, Aberdeen.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, Wolves, Bournemouth, Middlesbrough, Watford, Peterborough, Rochdale, Barrow.

Pick of the draws: There seems to be no grey area for Leeds. They are either terrific, as in their 5-0 away rout of West Bromwich Albion, or terrible, as in their 3-0 FA Cup third-round defeat at League Two Crawley last Sunday. It wouldn't surprise me if they were held by Brighton, who gave a good account of themselves in their midweek defeat by Manchester City. Hamilton v Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership looks an away win on paper but if second-from-bottom Hamilton play as well as they did when beating Motherwell 3-0 at home a few weeks ago they could salvage something. It's hard to make a positive case for either St Johnstone or St Mirren, so a draw is the most likely result. Juventus, fourth in the Italian League, won't want second-placed Inter Milan to go further away from them and they'll battle hard for a point. Dutch leaders Ajax were held 2-2 at home by second-placed PSV Eindhoven last weekend and I can see a similar result when they host third-placed Feyenoord.

Away days: Sheffield United, bottom of the Premier League, gained their first league victory of the season at home to Newcastle last Monday but Tottenham, their opponents on Sunday, are a far better team than the Tynesiders and I think normal service will be resumed. Championship leaders Norwich are a confident selection at Cardiff, who have slumped to 15th. League One high-flyers Doncaster knocked Championship side Blackburn out of the FA Cup last weekend and should settle for nothing less than three points at Swindon, who are third from bottom. Crawley's FA Cup giant-killing of Leeds last Sunday was no fluke. They are also doing well in League Two and I fancy them to prevail at Bradford City. Rangers, the runaway leaders in the Scottish Premiership, will surely defeat struggling Motherwell while Aberdeen, who are third, should send bottom club Ross packing.

Homes sweet homes: Although title challengers Leicester aren't as reliable at home, I believe they'll have too much for Southampton. Liverpool won't take kindly to being overtaken by Manchester United at the top of the Premier League and have a point to prove at Anfield on Sunday. I think they'll pass this stiff examination against a United side, who have lost only one away match in the league this season. Rochdale, of League One, have hit seven goals in their past two games and I'm tipping them to outscore relegation-troubled Wigan on Saturday. Barrow and Scunthorpe are at the wrong end of League Two and I feel ground advantage will favour Barrow. 

Pools info: Aston Villa v Everton (No.1 on coupon) has been postponed because of the Covid outbreak and will be assessed by the pools panel.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 9-10

Ten draws: Blackburn v Doncaster, Cheltenham v Mansfield, Huddersfield v Plymouth, Luton v Reading, Norwich v Coventry, Stoke v Leicester, Port Vale v Grimsby, Scunthorpe v Bradford City, Kilmarnock v Hamilton, Altrincham v Sutton.

Best draws: Blackburn v Doncaster, Luton v Reading, Norwich v Coventry, Stoke v Leicester, Port Vale v Grimsby.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Bournemouth, Swansea.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers, Wycombe, Gillingham, Ipswich, Cambridge, Southend.

Pick of the draws: It's FA Cup third-round weekend and Doncaster, fourth in League One, are in better form than Blackburn, 11th in the Championship. It won't surprise me if this is all square after 90 minutes. Reading are contesting promotion from the Championship but although Luton are in the bottom half of the table, they are no mugs at home. Leaders Norwich appear to be firm favourites in their tie against Coventry but despite the visitors being goal-shy, they don't give much away. Leicester's remarkable success on the road is the main reason they are third in the Premier League but Championship battlers Stoke may present a tricky hurdle. The League Two fixture between Port Vale and Grimsby is a clash between two woefully out-of-form sides and a point apiece is the most likely outcome.

Away days: There's a chance for West Bromwich Albion to forget their Premier League woes and advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup by beating League One Blackpool. In-form Portsmouth, third in League One, could easily cause an upset at Bristol City, who are slipping down the Championship. Sheffield United can't win a match to save their lives in the Premier League but they have a good opportunity to progress in the FA Cup when they visit Bristol Rovers in League One. Sheffield Wednesday have climbed out of the Championship drop zone since the departure of manager Tony Pulis and I think they'll extend that winning habit against Exeter, of League Two. Bournemouth, who are looking for a quick return to the Premier League, are recommended at Oldham and Swansea, one place higher than Bournemouth in the Championship, should go through at Stevenage, who are third from last in League Two.

Homes sweet homes: Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers are worth a wager against Premier League neighbours and rivals Fulham, whose plans have been severely disrupted by Covid. Although bottom of the Championship, Wycombe must have a fighting chance of FA Cup progress against mid-table Preston, who are maddeningly inconsistent. Southend prop up League Two but they have improved recently and I believe they'll beat Barrow, who are three places above them.

Pools info: Southampton v Shrewsbury (No.26 on coupon) and Wigan v Hull (33) have been postponed and will be assessed by the pools panel.

Betting info: I scored four out of five aways last weekend (Wigan's match at Swindon was postponed). My four were Leicester, Arsenal, Lincoln and Oxford. 

 

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.