Pools tips and best bets for weekend of December 11-12

 Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Everton, Birmingham v Cardiff, Luton v Fulham, Stoke v Middlesbrough, Accrington v Bolton, Doncaster v Shrewsbury, MK Dons v Oxford, Newport v Port Vale, Walsall v Colchester, Ross v Dundee.

Best draws: Crystal Palace v Everton, Luton v Fulham, Stoke v Middlesbrough, Doncaster v Shrewsbury, MK Dons v Oxford.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: West Ham, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Swindon, Northampton, Forest Green.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, West Brom, Fleetwood, Portsmouth, Rotherham, Sunderland, Wigan, Hartlepool, Leyton Orient, Stevenage.

Pick of the draws: Everton ended their dismal losing run by beating Arsenal on Monday and will be in a better frame of mind for the visit to Crystal Palace, who have slipped into the bottom half of the Premier League. I believe Championship leaders Fulham won't have things all their own way at Luton, who gained a notable 3-0 victory at Blackpool last weekend and are a match for anybody on their day. Middlesbrough are a more formidable proposition now that Chris Wilder is manager and it won't surprise me if they come away from Stoke with a point. Although Doncaster have fallen to the foot of League One, they should get something from the visit of Shrewsbury, who have yet to win away. MK Dons and Oxford are both in the hunt for promotion and both playing well. This looks one of the likeliest draws on the coupon.

Away days: As West Ham have defeated Liverpool and Chelsea recently, they will be confident of three points at Burnley, who are third from last in the Premier League. Manchester United, eager to impress their new manager, look a sure thing at bottom club Norwich. Nottingham Forest's fine away record in the Championship gives them a fair chance of success at Swansea, who have disappointed. League Two high-flyers Swindon lost away for the first time this season in midweek but I'm tipping them to bounce back straight away at Barrow. Second-placed Northampton, 2-1 winners at Exeter in midweek, are worth a punt at Harrogate, whose home form is indifferent, while it's impossible to ignore the claims of runaway leaders Forest Green, who go to lowly Oldham.

Homes sweet homes: Fleetwood are my tip to win the battle of the League One strugglers. They host  Gillingham, who crashed 5-1 at Rotherham in midweek and are sinking like a stone. Sunderland's 5-0 home victory over Morecambe in midweek may give them the edge over promotion rivals Plymouth. Stevenage v Carlisle is a potential "six-pointer" at the wrong end of League Two. I think Stevenage have made a good managerial appointment in Paul Tisdale and I fancy them to come out on top.

Pools info: there were eight draws on last weekend's coupon and I correctly forecast five of them: the games at Leeds, Southampton, Barnsley, Reading and Aldershot. I also got three of my five best draws correct: Southampton 1 Brighton 1, Barnsley 1 Huddersfield 1 and Reading 1 Hull 1.

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

Ten draws: Leeds v Brentford, Southampton v Brighton, Barnsley v Huddersfield, Cardiff v Sheffield United, Reading v Hull, Doncaster v Mansfield, Leyton Orient v Tranmere, St Johnstone v Ross, Aldershot v Altrincham, Dagenham & Redbridge v Grimsby.

Best draws: Southampton v Brighton, Barnsley v Huddersfield, Reading v Hull, Doncaster v Mansfield, Dagenham & Redbridge v Grimsby.

Best weekend bets: Six aways: Shrewsbury, Halifax, Swindon, Celtic, Forfar, Stirling.

Best weekend bets: Ten homes: Manchester United, Newcastle, Blackburn, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Burton, Portsmouth, Yeovil, Barnet, Bromley.

Pick of the draws: Brighton haven't won for nine matches but Southampton, their hosts, are also in a bit of a rut, having lost 2-1 at Norwich and 4-0 at Liverpool. Barnsley, second from bottom in the Championship, are having a terrible season but at least they kept a clean sheet at Peterborough last weekend and I've a feeling they'll take a point off Huddersfield, whose progress has stalled. Reading's points deduction has left them just above the drop zone and they face a Hull side who have won their past four games. It's the FA Cup second round this weekend and as Mansfield, from League Two, won at Sunderland in the previous round, they won't fear a journey to League One Doncaster, who are battling relegation. Because Grimsby have slipped from top to fourth in the National League, they won't relish a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge.

Away days: Shrewsbury, without an away win in League One this season, are tipped to break their duck in the FA Cup when they visit lowly Carlisle, of League Two, on Saturday. Halifax, among the front-runners in the National League, should have too much knowhow for Kidderminster, who are a division below them. Swindon's superb away record in League Two - seven wins and no defeats - will surely work to their advantage at Walsall. Celtic appear to have turned a corner in the Scottish Premiership and are recommended at Dundee United. Forfar and Stirling, from Scottish League Two, ought to confirm their superiority over Albion and Cowdenbeath respectively.

Homes sweet homes: Newcastle are bottom and still without a win in the Premier League but their 10 men did well to take a point off Norwich in midweek and I've a hunch they'll gain three points at the expense of Burnley on Saturday. Sunderland's magnificent home form (seven wins out of eight) is the main reason I believe they'll beat Oxford in a League One clash. Non-League Yeovil are worth backing against struggling Stevenage from League Two in the FA Cup. Yeovil have a grand cup fighting tradition and gained a notable 2-0 victory at Wrexham in the National League in midweek. 

Pools info: Three of my five best draws were correct last weekend: Norwich 0 Wolves 0, Bolton 2 Cheltenham 2 and Sheffield Wednesday 2 Wycombe 2.

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

 Ten draws: Norwich v Wolves, Hull v Millwall, Luton v Cardiff, Bolton v Cheltenham, Cambridge v Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe, Crawley v Mansfield, Northampton v Leyton Orient, Rochdale v Exeter, Dundee v Motherwell.

Best draws: Norwich v Wolves, Luton v Cardiff, Bolton v Cheltenham, Cambridge v Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe.

Best weekend bets: Six aways: Tottenham, Portsmouth, Charlton, Walsall, Dundee United, Stockport.

Best weekend bets: Ten homes: Arsenal, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Peterborough, Burton, Forest Green, Sutton, Altrincham, Yeovil.

Pick of the draws: Consecutive victories over Brentford (2-1 away) and Southampton (2-1 at home) have moved Norwich off the bottom of the Premier League. It won't be easy when they host in-form Wolves on Saturday but morale has improved and they can nick a point. Luton are still punching above their weight in the Championship but Cardiff have already won three away matches and are tricky opposition these days. Bolton arrested their slide in League One by beating Doncaster 3-0 at home in midweek but opponents Cheltenham have adapted well to a higher division and cannot be discounted. Promotion hopefuls Sunderland don't relish playing away. They were held 1-1 by relegation-haunted Shrewsbury in midweek and I think Cambridge will also frustrate them. A marvellous 3-0 win at League One leaders Plymouth in midweek has revived Wycombe's promotion hopes and they will be a good test for Sheffield Wednesday, who defeated Accrington on Saturday and Milton Keynes Dons in midweek.

Away days: Tottenham, under new manager Antonio Conte, recovered well from a poor first-half display to beat Leeds at home last weekend. They will want to capitalise with another three points at lowly Burnley on Sunday. Portsmouth, thanks to wins over Wimbledon (2-1 home) and Lincoln (3-0 away), suddenly have a League One play-off place in their sights and they are strongly recommended at struggling Gillingham. Charlton, once relegation candidates, are the most improved side in the division and will rate their chances at Shrewsbury. In League Two, mid-table Walsall are tipped to beat second-from-bottom Carlisle. Dundee United, fourth in the Scottish Premiership, will surely be too strong for bottom club Ross while Stockport are on a roll in the National League and will travel to Wealdstone with confidence.

Homes sweet homes: Brentford stopped a run of Premier League defeats with an entertaining 3-3 draw at Newcastle last Saturday. I believe they'll go one better on Sunday against an off-form and injury-plagued Everton. Crystal Palace, more attacking these days, are not flattered by their 10th placing and they are worth a bet against Aston Villa, who only made sure of a home victory over Brighton in the closing minutes. Although Peterborough are precariously placed in the Championship, they are not doing as badly as Barnsley, their visitors on Saturday, and I think ground advantage will tip the balance.

Pools info: Five of my ten draws were correct last weekend: Burnley 3 Crystal Palace 3; Newcastle 3 Brentford 3; Bristol City 1 Blackburn 1; Swansea 1 Blackpool 1 and Bradford City 1 Northampton 1.

Betting info: I scored nine out of ten home wins last weekend when Norwich, Tottenham, Fulham, Hull, Stoke, Rotherham, Exeter, Mansfield and Raith all won.

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

 Ten draws: Burnley v Crystal Palace, Newcastle v Brentford, Bristol City v Blackburn, Swansea v Blackpool, Accrington v Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton v Plymouth, Fleetwood v Morecambe, Wycombe v Bolton, Bradford City v Northampton, Newport v Swindon.

Best draws: Burnley v Crystal Palace, Accrington v Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton v Plymouth, Bradford City v Northampton, Newport v Swindon.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Manchester United, West Ham, Cardiff, Lincoln, Halifax, Notts County.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Norwich, Tottenham, Fulham, Hull, Stoke, Rotherham, Exeter, Mansfield, Raith, Wrexham.

Pick of the draws: The outlook for Crystal Palace, who are responding to Patrick Vieira's methods, appears bright but Burnley, unbeaten in their past three matches, look capable of climbing out of trouble and they can take a point at Turf Moor. It's hard to know what Accrington, mid-table in League One, will do next as their form greatly fluctuates. They were well beaten at home by leaders Plymouth last Saturday but may do better against Sheffield Wednesday, who went out of the FA Cup to Plymouth in midweek. Plymouth are setting a hot pace in League One but Charlton's recent rise, including 1-0 away wins at Sunderland and Burton, has been just as significant and I won't be surprised if they avoid defeat. Bradford City and Northampton, who suffered FA Cup replay defeats in midweek, are well matched in League Two and it's difficult to separate them. Swindon's away record (six wins and two draws from eight games) is exceptional but a change of manager has put a spring in Newport's stride and I can see this one ending all square.

Away days: Manchester United's shortcomings have been well documented but they should still have too much in the tank for Watford, who sit just above the relegation zone. West Ham's third placing in the Premier League is no fluke and they are unbeaten away. I believe that record will be intact after they visit Wolves on Saturday. I'm taking a chance on Cardiff, who have halted their slide in the Championship, to upset the better-placed Preston. Lincoln are tipped to assert their superiority over struggling Doncaster in League One and Halifax and Notts County, both promotion contenders in the National League, are recommended at Dover and Eastleigh respectively.

Homes sweet homes: This will be Dean Smith's first match as Norwich manager and I've a hunch they will give him the three points that he and the team desperately need for Premier League survival. Norwich's opponents are Southampton. Hull, in the Championship relegation zone, can cause a surprise against Birmingham, who are inconsistent. Mansfield seem to have turned a corner in League Two and are a confident selection to defeat bottom side Scunthorpe.

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

Ten draws: Croatia v Russia, Spain v Sweden, Scunthorpe v Salford, Walsall v Harrogate, Hamilton v Raith, Albion v Stirling, Stenhousemuir v Annan, Altrincham v Boreham Wood, Notts County v Solihull Moors, Wealdstone v Barnet.

Best draws: Spain v Sweden, Scunthorpe v Salford, Altrincham v Boreham Wood, Notts County v Solihull Moors, Wealdstone v Barnet.

Best weekend bets: Six aways: Portsmouth, Northampton, Kilmarnock, Airdrieonians, Grimsby, Wrexham.

Best weekend bets: Ten homes: Greece, North Macedonia, Portugal, Exeter, Tranmere, Inverness, Cove, Queen's Park, Chesterfield, Southend.

Pick of the draws: Sweden are usually obdurate opponents. They are top of their World Cup qualifying group and I believe they'll stay there after playing second-placed Spain on Sunday. Scunthorpe, bottom of League Two, may get an immediate lift from appointing Keith Hill as manager and I'm taking them to nick a point off Salford, who are underperforming. Boreham Wood are deservedly top of the National League but their progress may be checked by Altrincham, who don't give much away at home. Notts County and Solihull Moors, who face each other on Saturday, forced FA Cup first-round replays against higher-graded opposition. Notts County drew 1-1 at League Two Rochdale and Solihull did even better with a goalless draw at League One leaders Wigan. Wealdstone recently beat high-riding Grimsby while Barnet, their visitors, have pulled away from danger thanks to consecutive victories over Stockport (2-1, away) and Aldershot (2-1, home). The smart money is on a draw here. 

Away days: Although Portsmouth have done nothing exceptional this season, Wycombe, their League One hosts, seem to be faltering, which is why mid-table Pompey may be worth a punt. I expect Northampton, third in League Two, to maintain their winning form at Bristol Rovers. Despite losing at home to Partick last weekend, Kilmarnock, who lead the Scottish Championship, are a confident selection at Morton, as are Scottish League One table-toppers Airdrieonians at bottom club East Fife. In the National League I'm convinced Grimsby will return to winning ways against ailing Aldershot and Wrexham, 5-0 winners at Aldershot in midweek, will be disappointed not to come away from lowly King's Lynn with maximum points.

Homes sweet homes: I'm going for Portugal, no doubt inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, to defeat Serbia and  overtake them at the top of their World Cup qualifying group. Tranmere are two places lower than Sutton, their visitors, in League Two, so ground advantage may be the important factor here. Southend, relegated to the National League at the end of last season, are struggling in their new surroundings but I feel they will turn the corner, starting against Woking on Saturday.

Pools info: Swindon v Crawley (match No.23 on coupon) has been postponed because of international call-ups and will be assessed by the pools panel.