After an unsuccessful flirtation with cricket over the summer Wakuba was back with a bang at the weekend – four of our six selections won.

We are approaching this season with new researchers and a new research methodology, so be sure to stick with us and watch the profits accrue.

Dinamo Moscow v Chelsea

We tipped Chelsea because of their strong home form – but they were turned over, losing 1-0 in Scotland to a Russian side who looked sharper, fitter and better after 15 games of their domestic season. We would have opposed Celtic in Russia anyway (such is the stark contract between home and away form) and their first leg only served to reinforce that. Celtic have not won away in Europe for six years (!) and have never recovered a European tie after losing at home. It’s difficult to pick the right bet – Dinamo appeal at 2.1, but Celtic could get a draw, so we’ll take the 1/2 about Dinamo, Draw No Bet, with Sporting Bet.

Dinamo Moscow (Draw No Bet) @ 1/2 – Sporting Bet – 2 points

Warwickshire v Somerset

Another bet that appeals comes in the County Championship, where Warwickshire take on Somerset. Both sides have strong batting line ups and less appealing bowling attacks – and add to that Edgbaston has seen 17 of the last 21 games as draws, plus variable weather, and the 1/9 on Betfair looks appealing.

Warwickshire v Somerset – Draw @ 1.9 (Betfair) – 2 points

Barrow scored a last minute equaliser to snatch a point at Wrexham last night – sometimes these things do go for us!

That made Wrexham a lovely lay at around 1.74, and for 2 points as well.

Our weekend selections will be up later today.

Sign up to Wakuba to receive our subscription content; here is your free selection for the midweek lower league fixtures…

Rochdale v Morecambe

Rochdale are a favourite of ours – we’ve been with them since the start of their recent good run, four wins from four. And using previous logic, we’re not going to stop now. They are very much in form, and tonight take on Morecambe. The away side’s away record is poor – 2-5-7 – and there is little to suggest a third win at Spotland: Rochdale’s home record is excellent, 8-4-2, with no defeat since the beginning of October. Rochdale are rightly odds on, but a winning bet is a winning bet…

Rochdale @ 4/7 (Widely Available) – 2 points

Here are our subscription picks for the games this week:

Man City v Newcastle

Man City have a 6-0-5 record at home – somewhat erratic. However, three of those five defeats have come against the Big Four – and one each against Spurs and Everton. So in their games against ‘lesser’ opposition, they have a 6-0 record. And Newcastle certainly class as ‘lesser’ – Kinnear’s influence has waned, and they have suffered 4 defeats in 6 games. Their away form is appalling, too – just one win all season.

With new signings Cudicini, De Jong, and Bellamy likely to go straight in, and the influential Stephen Ireland returning from suspension, the slight odds on price for Man City looks good value.

Man City @ 3/4 (William Hill) – 1 point

Grimsby v Dagenham and Redbridge

Whilst previously featuring in a relegation battle with teams facing heavy point deductions, Grimsby have now hit form with wins over Wycombe and a thumping 3-0 defeat of Rotherham in their last two outings. Mike Newell has made a couple of astute loan signings, and finally seems to be turning things round at Blundell Park. Although sitting 5th Dagenham have won only one of their last four, and could well be turned over after travelling up to chilly, fishy Grimsby on a Tuesday night. In this league, anyone can beat anyone.

Grimsby @ 13/8 (Bet365) – 1 point

Gillingham v Lincoln

Gillingham sit 4th in League Two and have an excellent 8-4-1 home record, the second best in the division. Lincoln’s away form is mediocre, 4-2-7 from 14 matches, but they have not won in five league matches and have a couple of injuries.

At even-money, Gillingham provide some value here.

Gillingham @ Evs (William Hill) – 1 point

Here is your one free selection for this weekend… to access the rest of our content, you’ll have to sign up.

This week’s freebie comes from League Two, where Shrewsbury visit Port Vale. A quick glance reveals Shrewsbury to be 6th with Vale 16th, with both sides in fairly scratchy form. However, this does not tell the whole story. Shrewsbury are 6th because of their strong home form – they have the best record in the division, 9-1-2. Away from home it’s very different. They have won only once all season, and that in the very first away game of the season, back in August. Since then they have gone eleven games without victory.

Port Vale’s home form is not exceptional, granted – but they’ve won two from three, including defeating a semi-decent Rochdale team last time out. Furthermore, Vale have just clinched two permanent signings which will boot morale.

Lastly and importantly, Shrewsbury’s top scorer Grant Holt begins a two match suspension this weekend and will miss the game.He’ll be replaced by Nick Chadwick, who scored just once in twleve matches for Hereford earlier in the season.

Considering all this, it seems odd that Shrewsbury are favourites across the board, trading as short as 13/10 with William Hill.

Although a punt on Vale is tempting at greater than 2/1, the sensible option is a lay of Shrewsbury – particularly considering the number of times they’ve drawn.

LAY Shrewsbury @ 2.6 (Betfair) – 1 point (liability)

For all our readers who are too stingy to pay our subscription and get the good stuff, read on for our free weekend tips…

Wigan v Tottenham

These two sides meet on Sunday for the second time in nine days, after Spurs somewhat fortuitous 3-1 victory in the FA Cup. Wigan were unlucky to lose that game, and were missing a few players (Kirkland, Heskey) plus Bruce gave a couple a rest.

This time around it should be a full strength Wigan side, including top scorer Zaki. They are in a great run of form, winning five from six, and only losing once in their last nine. They’ve also won four of their last five home games, have an overall home record of 5-2-3, and haven’t lost at the JJB since October 26th against Villa. Couple that with their record against bottom half sides – 6-4-1 – and it’s a compelling set of statistics.

Spurs complement those stats nicely with a poor away record; 2-2-6 for the season, and their last two away games have been defeats to Newcastle and West Brom. They have not won in  four league games, and the cup victories against Wigan and more recently Burnley may have put a glaze over their true predicament… they are in a relegation battle, no question about it.

In theory, Spurs as a ‘big club’ should be backed away to a no mark like Wigan – but going with form, there is no bet to make other than a Wigan victory – even accounting for the Defoe factor.

Wigan @ 13/8 (Paddy Power) – 1 point

Stoke v Liverpool

Stoke have been in good form at home this season, getting results against both Villa and Arsenal. However, Liverpool are in fine fettle; they’ve won three from their last four aways, and have beaten a 1.5 handicap in all of those. Torres should be back (if on the bench) which will be a morale boost, and now Rory Delap’s throw-ins have been (seemingly) negated, Stoke are short of ideas. They’ve now not won in six. Liverpool are rightly heavy favourites for this, trading at around 2/5 – but there is some value on the handicap, where they can be backed at 2.1 with a -1.5.

Liverpool -1.5 @ 2.1 (Victor Chandler) – 1 point

Sunthorpe v Hereford

There is one stand-out selection in League One, and that’s Scunthorpe at home to Hereford. Scunthorpe currently sit 6th in League one, with a 6-3-2 record at home, their last result a comfortable 3-0 win over Hartlepool. Hereford are 23rd and woeful on their travels, with a 1-1-10 record and only 5 goals scored in 12 games.

Scunthorpe @ 8/15 (Paddy Power or Blue Square) – 2 points

Some interesting news from Bury: this will throw their preparations into disarray; and when something like this sweeps through your squad, you’re left decimated. Remember Spurs two seasons ago? Even when you don’t have it, you think you do.

Our bet is to exploit this weakness and lay Bury – whether really ill or psycho-sematically ill, they’ll struggle to play at top speed and Port Vale could take advantage.

Bury’s home form is sketchy in any case – they have lost their last four in all competitions. Post Vale have scored two and four in their last couple of away games, so could make the home team pay – at least by taking a point.

Lay Bury @ 1.96 (Betfair)