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.

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Oldham v Hartlepool (Tonight)

Hartlepool have already lost three games this season – but drilling deeper, they were against Charlton, Bristol City, and Norwich, all of whom are expected to finish near the top of the division. Oldham have injury problems, particularly defensively, and also a poor home record – they have not won at Boundary Park for 13 games. Bearing this in mind, quotes about the home side look too short.

LAY Oldham @ 2.12 (Betfair) – 2 points (Liability)

Crewe v Macclesfield

The relative league positions of these sides (6th and 19th) have a big bearing on the prices in this one (around 1.65 and 5.0). That is a huge disparity, and probably not justified by a gap of only four points. Teams heavily odds on are always a tempting lay in League Two, especially when there seems little reasoning for it.

LAY Crewe @ 1.73 (Betfair) – 2 point liability

Bristol Rovers v Millwall

Bristol Rovers have not let the loss of Ricky Lambert hold them back and have made a decent start to the season. Millwall have been unconvincing, but more importantly have huge injury problems. Rovers have also won 3 of the last 4 meetings between the sides. At 13/10 there is some appeal on the home side.

Bristol Rovers @ 13/10 (Bet365) – 1 point

Rotherham v Chesterfield

Rotherham’s manager Mark Robins has been placed on gardening leave while he speaks to Barnsley about their vacant managerial position. That is bound to have an unsettling effect on the side, and with Chesterfield coming into this game on the back of a 5-1 away win there is every chance of an upset. Rotherham are another lay.

LAY Rotherham @ 2.32 (Betfair) – 2 point liability

Liverpool will be desperate for three points having already lost once this season, and with Torres and Gerrard both fit there is a good chance they will get them. Villa looked uncertain and vulnerable against Wigan on the first day of the season (made to look even more so by Wigan’s subsequent defeats) and it’s unlikely they will be able to repel Liverpool at Anfield – particularly considering Liverpool’s record against them (they have not lost in ten and beat them 5-0 last time out). Villa are reasonably potent away from home though – there could be goals in this one.

Liverpool v Aston Villa – Over 2.5 goals @ 10/11 (Ladbrokes) – 2 points

Three of our five selections won this weekend – Stoke comfortably beat Burnley (which was welcomed by the freeloaders who read us but don’t pay a subscription!) plus our lay of Shrewsbury and selection of over 2.5 goals in the Spurs-Liverpool game altogether brought us a small profit.

There are a raft of midweek games on Tuesday and Wednesday, and we will bring our selections for them in plenty of time.

The mouth watering prospect of a new Premier League season becomes a reality at the weekend, with a full complement of fixtures over the two days. It’s early days and will take a few games for teams to show their true colours – but scouring through the fixtures there’s one we reckon is worth following.

Stoke v Burnley

Stoke’s home record was fearsome last season, bettered only by the Big Four. The Brittannia is an intimidating venue for visiting teams – and Burnley will experience a baptism of fire. It’s one of the toughest opening fixtures they could ask for, and Stoke are rightly favourites. However, they are still slightly odds against – which represents cracking value against a promoted team, and one with a porous defence to boot.

Stoke @ 2.02 (Betfair) – 1 point

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.

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The first weekend is always a dodgy one to bet on – pre-season form can be deceptive, and you never know quite how a team has gelled, or otherwise, over the summer. Teams that are odds-on are best avoided, although not necessarily layed… and outsiders could just come up trumps. But you never know! Consequently we haven’t gone overboard with selections for this first weekend of Coca-Cola League football – we’ve gone predominantly for lays, as at this stage the ‘unknown’ is a huge factor and short odds are not to be trusted.

Watford v Doncaster

Doncaster’s late season form would have had them in playoff contention has it run throughout the season, and they seem a strangely long price int the handicap market, and in this game. Despite losing Richie Wellens they have kept the majority of the squad that did well mid to late 08/09, and are probably unfairly fifth favourites for relegation. Watford have also lost an influential player in Priskin, and have new manager Malky Mackay who replaced the Reading bound Brendon Rodgers. This early in the season, with uncertainty surrounding form and fitness, the price of slightly odds against on Watford seems too short.

LAY Watford @ 2.22 (Betfair) – 2 points liability

Reading v Notts Forest

Reading struggled hugely at home last season, particularly in front of goal – they only scored three in their last ten games there, and that was a prime reason for their failure to go up automatically. Forest have strengthened significantly in the summer, and are many peoples’ picks as an outside promotion chance. Billy Davies is a hugely successful manager at this level, and will ensure he has his side primed and ready for this tough test. They will not want to get off to a losing start – and we think they can avoid it. Goal-shy Reading, at around even money, are another short home lay.

LAY Reading @ 2.02 (Betfair) – 2 points liability

West Brom v Newcastle

In our Championship preview (see below) we discussed the relative merits of Newcastle and West Brom as co-favourites for the title. We heavily favoured the Baggies in that – and will stick to that here. Having kept the nucleus of the team that was promoted, then relegated, and with Newcastle in complete disarray, the odds against appeals.

West Brom @ 5/4 (Betfred, Paddy Power, SkyBet) – 1.5 points

Brighton v Walsall

Brighton are another home team at short odds, and in our minds another lay. Added to the early season uncertainty is the uncertainty surrounding their squad – so many new player are bound to take time to gel. Walsall on the other hand have had a relatively stable preseason with Chris Hutchings having plenty of time to organise. At odds on, Brighton are just too short.

LAY Brighton @ 2.02 (Betfair) – 2 points

Notts County v Bradford

Everyone knows about Notts County, about Sven, about the investment… but that will take time. They have added to their squad but not overhauled it, and they were not challengers last term. Bradford, on the other hand, were – and are tough first game opposition for the revitalised Nottingham club. Against a decent League 2 side County are just to short, and in our minds another lay.

LAY Notts County @ 2.08 (Betfair) – 2 points

Torquay v Chesterfield

Teams promoted from the BSP tend to fare well in League Two – just look at Exeter. Torquay are far better managed, run and organised compared to when they went down, and are decent value at home to get off to a winning start against Chesterfield, who ha an erratic away record last season (10 wins nine losses). Torquay will be pumped up and determined.

Torquay @ 6/4 (Coral) – 1 point