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

Ten draws: Fulham v Sunderland, Hull v Queens Park Rangers, Cheltenham v Port Vale, Peterborough v Portsmouth, MK Dons v Exeter, Wimbledon v Stockport, Harrogate v Sutton, Tranmere v Leyton Orient, Livingston v Hearts, Edinburgh v Falkirk.

Best draws: Fulham v Sunderland, Hull v Queens Park Rangers, Peterborough v Portsmouth, Tranmere v Leyton Orient, Livingston v Hearts.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Tottenham, Leicester, Oxford, Salford, Carlisle, Kilmarnock.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Ipswich, Luton, Manchester United, Stoke, Coventry, Middlesbrough, Lincoln, Swindon, Hibernian, Rangers.

Pick of the draws: Fulham were toothless when losing their Premier League home fixture against Tottenham 1-0 last Monday, which may give Sunderland, of the Championship, a chance to force an FA Cup fourth-round replay. Although Queens Park Rangers have not won for five Championship matches, they should take something from their visit to Hull, whose home record is poor. Portsmouth, with two 2-0 victories from their past two games in League One, are responding positively to new manager Jose Mousinho and can return from the better-placed Peterborough with a point. League Two leaders Leyton Orient have hit the wall and were beaten 3-0 at second-placed Stevenage last Saturday. The goals have dried up (one in their last six matches), which suggests that they will take no more than a point at mid-table Tranmere. Hearts have convincingly defeated Aberdeen and Hibernian recently but they will find Livingston, fourth in the Scottish Premiership, tougher opposition. 

Away days: The FA Cup is Tottenham's best chance of a trophy this season and I can't see them messing things up in the fourth round at Preston on Saturday, especially bearing in mind Preston's abject home form in the Championship. Leicester can forget their Premier League relegation worries by winning at League Two Walsall in Saturday's early kick-off. Oxford, although losing 2-0 at Wycombe in League One in midweek, will fancy themselves at second-from-bottom Burton. Salford's fine away record in League Two should be decisive at struggling Crawley and I believe promotion-seeking Carlisle will assert their authority over bottom side Rochdale. I'm tipping Kilmarnock to come out on top against Ross as these two fight to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership.

Homes sweet homes: It's only a hunch but I won't be surprised if Ipswich, third in League One, upset Burnley, the Championship leaders, in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. Ipswich had the confidence boost they needed with a 4-0 home victory over Morecambe in midweek and I think they'll carry that into Saturday's tie. Going down to 10 men didn't help Middlesbrough at Sunderland last Sunday but I'm backing them to recover from that 2-0 defeat when they entertain fellow promotion candidates Watford. I doubt whether Aberdeen will recover quickly from their Scottish Cup humiliation at non-League Darvel Juniors, which is why it's worth having a punt on hosts Hibernian in the Premiership on Saturday.

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

 Ten draws: Leeds v Brentford, Birmingham v Preston, Bristol City v Blackburn, Queens Park Rangers v Swansea, Oxford v Ipswich, Doncaster v Tranmere, Newport v Wimbledon, Stevenage v Leyton Orient, Walsall v Swindon, Hibernian v Hearts.

Best draws: Leeds v Brentford, Bristol City v Blackburn, Newport v Wimbledon, Stevenage v Leyton Orient, Hibernian v Hearts.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Newcastle, Brighton, Middlesbrough, Luton, Wrexham, Southend.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Arsenal, Manchester City, Southampton, Watford, Barnsley, Lincoln, Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Sutton, Bromley.

Pick of the draws: Brentford, to their immense credit, are in contention for European football next season and on course to avoid defeat at Leeds on Sunday. Leeds are one of seven teams battling relegation from the Premier League. Fifth-placed Blackburn have not drawn any of their 27 Championship matches this season but that could change at Bristol City, whose 4-2 home win over Birmingham last weekend eased their relegation fears. Newport (17th) and Wimbledon (12th) have already played each other in League Two this season, sharing the spoils. I believe another stalemate is on the cards on Saturday. All tickets have been sold for the division's top-of-the table fixture - Stevenage (2nd) v Leyton Orient (1st). These two are way superior to the rest. The result between the two at Leyton Orient on Boxing Day was a goalless draw and it won't surprise me to see the same scoreline. The pride of Edinburgh is at stake on Sunday when Hibernian host Hearts in the Scottish Cup fourth round. I predict that nothing will separate them after 90 minutes.

Away days: It's hard to ignore the claims of Newcastle at Crystal Palace as the Geordies (3rd) have achieved six clean sheets in a row in the Premier League. Brighton showed their quality last weekend with an emphatic 3-0 home victory against Liverpool and will be confident of winning again at off-form Leicester. Michael Carrick's thriving Middlesbrough are worth a punt at Sunderland, whose home form in the Championship is indifferent. Luton, who excel on their travels, can complete an away double at bottom club Wigan. The Hatters won an FA Cup third-round replay 2-1 at Wigan in midweek and will feel confident of prevailing again in the league. Wrexham, seeking automatic promotion from the National League, will be disappointed by anything less than three points at struggling Maidstone while Southend are expected to assert their authority over Oldham. 

Homes sweet homes: I'm tipping Arsenal, the clear Premier League leaders, to beat Manchester United, whose nine-game winning streak was ended by Crystal Palace in midweek. The only league fixture the Gunners have lost this season was at Old Trafford in September and they will be thirsting for revenge on Sunday. Although bottom-of-the-table Southampton have won only once at home in the league, they are worth backing against mid-table Aston Villa. The Saints have won their past three matches in all competitions, including knocking Manchester City out of the League Cup. Another south-coast side, Portsmouth, are languishing in League One and badly in need of a lift. I've a hunch they'll get it by defeating Exeter on Saturday.

 

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

Ten draws: Brighton v Liverpool, Nottingham Forest v Leicester, Luton v West Brom, Burton v Shrewsbury, Cambridge v Morecambe, Wycombe v Sheffield Wednesday, Leyton Orient v Barrow, Tranmere v Walsall, St Johnstone v Livingston, Inverness v Queen's Park.

Best draws: Luton v West Brom, Cambridge v Morecambe, Wycombe v Sheffield Wednesday, Leyton Orient v Barrow, Inverness v Queen's Park.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Bristol Rovers, Derby, Stevenage, Colchester, Raith, Stirling.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Everton, Wolves, Burnley, Sheffield United, Sunderland, Exeter, Carlisle, Gillingham, Mansfield, Ayr.

Pick of the draws: Luton and West Brom, who meet on Saturday, are aiming for the Championship play-offs. Luton have already drawn seven of their home fixtures this season so don't be surprised if they are involved in another deadlock against steadily improving West Brom. With home wins over Burton (5-0) and Cheltenham (2-1), Morecambe have climbed out of the League One relegation zone and look good for a point at Cambridge, who are just below them. Sheffield Wednesday, second in League One, will be super confident after knocking Newcastle out of the FA Cup but Wycombe, their hosts, are a tough nut to crack. The way that Barrow fought back from 2-0 down at Mansfield to win 3-2 last Saturday must give them hope at League Two leaders Leyton Orient, who are suddenly finding goals hard to come by. Scottish Championship leaders Queen's Park hit Cove Rangers for six last weekend but Inverness, their opponents, have scored 10 goals in their past two matches and I'm predicting a point apiece.

Away days: Bristol Rovers, who are close to the League One play-off positions, start favourites against Accrington, who have slipped into the drop zone. Derby are the form side of League One and will be disappointed not to come away from Cheltenham without maximum points. The mood at League Two second-placed Stevenage couldn't be more upbeat after their astonishing FA Cup triumph at Aston Villa.  Harrogate, their hosts on Saturday, have been warned. Colchester moved away from the League Two relegation zone with a 3-1 win at Harrogate and they can win again at lowly Rochdale. I'm tipping Raith, of the Scottish Championship, to take advantage of a demoralised Cove Rangers while Stirling, second in Scottish League Two, are expected to increase the relegation worries of Bonnyrigg Rose. 

Homes sweet homes: I'm backing Everton to save manager Frank Lampard's job - at least for the time being - against Southampton, who prop up the Premier League. Although Everton went out of the FA Cup at Manchester United last Friday, they showed enough spirit in the second half to suggest that better times are ahead. Wolves, despite also struggling, were unlucky not to win at Anfield in the FA Cup last Saturday and I think they'll take out their frustration on West Ham. Gillingham, bottom of League Two and scorer of only seven league goals all season, are long overdue a victory and I believe they'll get it against Hartlepool, who are also in a battle to avoid relegation. 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 7-8

 Ten draws: Bournemouth v Burnley, Middlesbrough v Brighton, Norwich v Blackburn, Preston v Huddersfield, Bolton v Plymouth, Cambridge v Bristol Rovers, Rochdale v Newport, Salford v Northampton, Tranmere v Sutton, Arbroath v Inverness.

Best draws: Middlesbrough v Brighton, Preston v Huddersfield, Salford v Northampton, Tranmere v Sutton, Arbroath v Inverness.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Leeds, Birmingham, Stoke, Newcastle, Sunderland, Notts County.

Weekend's best football bets: Ten homes: Brentford, Coventry, Fleetwood, Ipswich, Luton, Reading, Leyton Orient, Ayr, Queen's Park, Barnet.

Pick of the draws: It's the FA Cup third round this weekend and there are few more enticing ties than Middlesbrough v Brighton. Manager Michael Carrick has worked wonders at Championship side Middlesbrough, who are now in the promotion frame. They face Brighton, who deserve their place in the top half of the Premier League. It looks as if this one will need a replay. Still in the FA Cup, Preston have scored only eight home goals in the Championship this season. That will encourage their lowly opponents Huddersfield, especially as Huddersfield won 2-1 at Preston last month. Northampton, seeking automatic promotion from League Two, beat leaders Leyton Orient at home last weekend, so they should at least share the spoils at Salford, who are more effective away. Home wins over Gillingham and Wimbledon (both by 2-1) have helped Sutton climb into the top half of League Two and their game at Tranmere has a point apiece written all over it. Inverness hit Cove Rangers for six at home on Monday but Arbroath, their struggling hosts in the Scottish Championship, trumped that by beating promotion favourites Dundee 4-2 away. Don't be surprised if this one ends in stalemate.

Away days: Leeds obtained a gutsy goalless draw at Newcastle over Christmas and will probably be too strong for Cardiff, in the bottom half of the Championship. Although Birmingham, of the Championship, have been weakened by a spate of injuries, they will surely prevail over Forest Green, who prop up League One. Stoke have done nothing special in the Championship this season but it's hard to ignore their claims at ailing Hartlepool, of League Two. Newcastle, desperate to win their first domestic trophy since 1955, could have picked easier FA Cup opponents than Sheffield Wednesday, second in League One, but I'm confident they'll surmount this hurdle. Sunderland, steadily improving in the Championship, should take care of Shrewsbury, mid-table in League One, and Notts County, the National League leaders, are warmly recommended at Aldershot. 

Homes sweet homes: There's a fair chance of an FA Cup upset at League One Fleetwood, where the woefully off-form Queens Park Rangers are the visitors from the Championship. Promotion candidates Ipswich, from League One, will also fancy their chances against Rotherham, who are going backwards in the Championship. In one of the Cup's all-Championship clashes I believe Reading will take advantage of Watford's injury problems and proceed to the next round.

Pools tips and best bets for games on Dec 31st, Jan 1st and Jan 2nd

Ten draws: Birmingham v Middlesbrough, Blackpool v Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield United, Wigan v Hull, Peterborough v Wycombe, Doncaster v Carlisle, Hartlepool v Harrogate, Sutton v Wimbledon, Walsall v Mansfield, Halifax v Altrincham. 

Best draws: Blackpool v Sunderland, Wigan v Hull, Peterborough v Wycombe, Hartlepool v Harrogate, Walsall v Mansfield.

Best bets: Six aways: Arsenal (Saturday), Port Vale (Sunday), Notts County (Sunday), Liverpool (Monday), Burnley (Monday), Ipswich (Monday).

Best bets: Ten homes: Fulham (Saturday), Manchester City (Saturday), Newcastle (Saturday), Blackburn (Sunday), Millwall (Sunday), Plymouth (Sunday), Norwich (Monday), West Brom (Monday), Barrow (Monday), Northampton (Monday).

Pick of the draws: Blackpool's 10 men held on to take a point at Hull in their relegation dogfight in the Championship on Boxing Day. That should encourage them against Sunderland, who tend to be inconsistent. Kolo Toure, of Wigan, has had an underwhelming start to his managerial career, with three defeats out of four. He and his players need to raise their game against Hull, who are two places better off. Wycombe are on an upward curve in League One, whereas Peterborough, their hosts, seemed to have hit the wall. Posh, however, stopped the rot with a 1-1 draw at Charlton on Boxing Day and won at home in midweek. League Two strugglers Hartlepool and Harrogate both won against the odds last Monday, Hartlepool 2-1 away to Rochdale and Harrogate 3-2 at home to Grimsby. I predict this one ending with honours even. Mansfield are one of the few League Two sides to have prevented promotion favourites Stevenage from winning at home this season. That should serve them well on their visit to Walsall, who sit just below the play-off positions after beating Swindon 2-1 away.

Away days: Brighton are Arsenal's bogey team but the Premier League leaders are playing so well that I'm tipping them to prevail. Promoted Port Vale have adapted really well to League One and are firm favourites at relegation-haunted Forest Green. It seems a straight fight between Notts County and Wrexham for automatic promotion to League Two. Notts County, who are top of the National League, go to Oldham, who are third from last. Liverpool looked the real deal again when gaining maximum points at Aston Villa last Monday and I recommend backing them at Brentford. Burnley are sweeping all before them at the top of the Championship and will travel to Swansea with confidence. Mid-table Lincoln are the only League One team yet to lose at home this season but that record is surely in danger against second-placed Ipswich.

Homes sweet homes: Teams who sack their manager often get an immediate boost. That's why I'm siding with Norwich, who host their Championship play-off rivals Watford on Monday. The Canaries dispensed with the services of Dean Smith after losing 2-1 at Luton, who were down to 10 men. The threat of relegation has long receded for West Brom, who are now aiming for the play-offs. I believe they are worth a punt against Paul Ince's Reading. I've also a hunch that Northampton, third in League Two, will defeat leaders Leyton Orient, despite Orient losing only once away this season.