Burnley v Wigan

Burnley are this season’s Stoke – underrated at home because of how poor they are away. Wigan are exactly the type of side that they could roll over in the cauldron Turf Moor. Considering the relative home and away records, 6/4 is a stand out price.

Burnley @ 6/4 – 1 point (Bet365, Skybet, Stan James)

Newcastle v Doncaster

Doncaster are exactly the kind of side Newcastle will hate playing in the Championship. They keep it tight and keep the ball, and could frustrate the Geordies. At strong odds on Newcastle are worth a lay – and expect this to be a hard fought encounter with few goals.

LAY Newcastle @ 1.61 (Betfair) – 1 point (Liability)

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (Widely available) – 1 point

Four of the ‘Big Six’ have tough away fixtures this weekend, and there are reasons to oppose all of them.

Sunderland v Liverpool

Sunderland will by buoyed by their performance against Man Utd, and Liverpool have injury worries over Torres, Gerrard, and Kuyt. Obviously without those key players they are easier to oppose but even with them, against an impressive Sunderland side, odds on is too short.

LAY Liverpool @ 1.98 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

Portsmouth v Spurs

Pompey got their first win of the season last time out, and with the stability brought to the club with new funding, should be on a high. Furthermore, if there is an side they will want a result against, it’s Spurs – several ex-Pompey players are in their ranks (likewise the other way round in fact) and of course there is the ‘Arry factor. The whole club will be set on preventing him taking three point from Fratton Park, and again at odds on there is value opposing them.

LAY Spurs @ 1.91 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

Aston Villa v Chelsea

Villa have a strong home record against Chelsea over the past few seasons, and have already beaten one of the Big Four this season (Liverpool, at Anfield) proving they have the mettle. After an international break there is always some uncertainty, and another odds on quote about Chelsea again looks too short.

LAY Chelsea @ 1.84 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

Wigan v Man City

Wigan are somewhat of a bogey team for Man City, with Mark Hughes’ men winning only one of the last eight league meetings between the two. Of course Man City are a somewhat different proposition nowadays, but do not merit the heaviest odds on price of all the Premier League teams.

LAY Man City @ 1.82 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

We’ll also have a little play on the multiples market with these four – Betfair’s LAY multiples market offer the following prices:

Liverpool @ 2.04

Spurs @ 1.98

Chelsea @ 1.89

Man City @ 1.88

Four trebles there, we’ll play 0.25 points on each.

With qualification finely poised, we’ve picked out a couple of mutually suitable draw from the weekend fixtures:

Denmark v Sweden

Portugal are in grave danger of not qualifying, and a draw between these two Scandivanian countries pushes Ronaldo further away and each of them closer. Whether or not there is any geographical collusion, a result that suits both parties has to be likely, and at 9/4 is worth backing.

Denmark v Sweden Draw @ 9/4 (Widely available) – 1 point

Ireland v Italy

A draw for Italy would be enough for them to qualify, and no-one is better at playing for one. Ireland would be virtually in the play-offs with that result too – again it suits both parties.

Ireland v Italy Draw @ 2/1 (Betfred) – 1 point

And we’ll take a small double – Betfred go best price on both (9/4 and 2/1.

Draw Double @ 9.75 (Betfred) – 0.5 points

We’re on a mini-run at the moment, with our lay of Notts County at the weekend following two midweek winners.

It’s about time we turned things round after the consistent downward trend prompted by a (largely disastrous) close season flirtation with cricket.

Make sure you don’t miss our hot streak by following us on Twitter – @wakuba.

Cheltenham v Notts County

We’ve opposed Notts County a couple of times already this season, citing their inconsistency away from home, but have picked the wrong off days. We’re sticking with that here – a shade of odds on is just too short in this division for a side that has lost three of its five games so far.

LAY Notts County @ 2.08 (Betfair) – 2 point liability