Roker Riches: In Search Of Winners From Wigan and... Barnsley?

Week Five Recap

The standout winner from last week's betting action was without a shadow of a doubt Chris who reaped the rewards of correctly backing Sunderland to come away from Upton Park with a point and his punt at odds of 12/5 has seen him climb straight to the top of the leaderboard. Karl also came away in profit as he put his faith in in-form Steven Fletcher who duly obliged with the opening goal of the contest.

It was a bad week for our man in France Dan who went in big with his selections last week, two £5 stakes, which failed to come home and have left Mr. Williams with some work to do.

So, what punts have the lads put their faith in this week?

Karl Jones

Having finally got over the hump in midweek, Sunderland have a decent opportunity to build some momentum with a home game at the weekend. In Wigan, they face a side whose results are difficult to gauge, and have frustrated Sunderland in this fixture over the years - even winning at the Stadium of Light last season to end Steve Bruce's reign as manager. But with Adam Johnson getting game time after injury, James McClean receiving a timely confidence boost in the form of a goal, and Steven Fletcher's form at boiling point, the wait for a first Premier League win this season should finally be over.

Elsewhere, I fancy two away wins. Arsenal and Chelsea have both started the season well, but the visitors are unbeaten and look more resolute defensively. In League Two, Bradford have just overcome an extra-time win over Burton Albion to remain in the Capital One Cup and run into high-flying Port Vale at the weekend. Bradford four-from-four at home, but Vale have three wins on the road and I think the hosts' midweek exploits may just tip this in Vale's favour. Plus, Tom Pope is scoring for fun.

• Sunderland to beat Wigan - 21/20 - £3 Stake
• Chelsea to beat Arsenal, Port Vale to beat Bradford - 9.75 - £1 Stake

David Boyle

Despite eventually conceding following prolonged pressure for West Ham, Sunderland managed to defend valiantly for long periods of the game if sitting a little too deep. SAFC have continued to look well organised and resolute at the back despite a number of injuries and I am backing the home side to continue this trend. If I'm being honest this bet goes some what against the stats as Wigan have only failed to score against Manchester United so far this year, however it looks as though they will be with out Franco Di Santo tomorrow although we will need to be wary of Arouna Kone.

Elsewhere I am going to look to the Championship for a home double. Barnsley are the first team to make the coupon which will make Dan beam with pride no doubt. The Tykes head in to the game on the back of a stunning 5-0 win at Birmingham and have looked in decent from as of late despite a narrow defeat to Blackburn. Their opponents tomorrow, Ipswich, can't buy a win at the moment and I can't see tomorrow being the day to put that right.

I also fancy Huddersfield to continue their rich vein of form having picked up thirteen points from a possible fifteen and should be able to pick up a home win over Watford, who despite the excitement surrounding their recent takeover and the arrival of Gianfranco Zola have failed to see an improvement in results.

• Sunderland to win to nil - 12/5 - £3 Stake
• Barnsley and Huddersfield to win - 5/1 - £2 Stake

Dan Williams

However tempting it is to back another draw, surely this weekend should mark a change in our fortunes. Fletcher first goal picks itself at the moment, as was the case with Darren Bent not so long ago.

I'm struggling at the back of the pack in this feature, so need to branch out a bit with the bets. That's why I've backed five teams, although all are at home against opponents who have struggled slightly recently.

• Sunderland win, first goal Fletcher - 5/1 - £5 Stake
• Barnsley, Huddersfield, Wolves, Brighton and Bolton to win - 25/1 - £5 Stake

Simon Walsh

A recent win has me back in the mood with this, and I'm feeling quite confident about our chances this weekend against Wigan Athletic. It seems however that the bookies are of the same thought and make us heavy favourites for this one, ensuring there's not a great deal of value around. However, I do fancy us for a 2-0 win, and with that currently at 8/1, I don't mind sticking a couple of quid on that.

Elsewhere in the footballing world, I was pretty close to a win the other week too, but obviously nearly counts for nothing in the world of gambling. I'm looking at a tasty treble this week though which sees Stoke City's physical style being too much for Swansea City. A flying West Brom side coming away from Villa Park with all three points and finally Newcastle beating Reading - thus meaning if they're the ones that do me over, I won't mind too much.

• Sunderland to win 2-0 - 8/1 - £2 Stake
• Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion & Newcastle United all to win - 13/1 - £3 Stake