Carlisle to keep up good work

Carlisle United have made an excellent start to the new season and look a good bet to continue their winning ways at the expense of Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

The Cumbrians came from behind to win 3-2 away to Bristol Rovers in their opening league fixture and followed that with a convincing 4-2 win at home to Crewe last weekend. And, in between, they secured a 1-0 win away to Shrewsbury in the League Cup.

It’s early days, of course, but, with the goals flowing, those who have backed John Ward’s men to win promotion will be on good terms with themselves. Pre-season they were 6-1 to go up, but that price has shrunk to around 4-1 with most firms.

Orient were thumped 3-0 by Peterborough last week, having lost 4-1 to Ipswich Town in the League Cup. They will need to step up on those efforts if they are to spoil Carlisle’s perfect start.

Another solid wager in League One are Leicester City, 8-11 with Blue Square to pick up three points from Tranmere Rovers at Filbert Street. The Foxes have yet to concede a goal this campaign and, had they not squandered a string of chances away to Stockport County last week, would have won their first three fixtures.

In the Premier League, the 4-5 that Ladbrokes offer against Aston Villa winning away to Stoke City is well worth taking. Villa look serious candidates to bustle up the big four in the top flight this term and a 4-2 win over Manchester City last Sunday hinted at even better to come. Stoke were our pre-season tip to finish bottom the league and their opening 3-1 defeat away to Bolton Wanderers has done little to dispel that notion.

The final leg of our Saturday Yankee are Bury, who look bankers at a general 5-6 to make home advantage tell against Morecambe in League Two. Bury have collected maximum points from their fixtures against Brentford and Chesterfield this term and have been trimmed to 22-1 (from 40-1) to win the title.

Those after bigger odds should consider Swansea, who were again easy on the eye when beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 last week, and Rochdale, who impressed when beating Barnet by the same scoreline.

Saturday Yankee
Aston Villa to beat Stoke City at 4-5 with Ladbrokes
Leicester City to beat Tranmere Rovers at 8-11 with Blue Square
Carlisle United to beat Leyton Orient at 13-8 with Bet365
Bury to beat Morecambe at a general 5-6

Reserves
Swansea to beat Plymouth at a general 2-1
Rochdale to beat Bradford City at 13-5 with Skybet