The bookies have us binned...
There is a packed Championship schedule on Saturday
- QPR won only four of their last 30 matches last season
QPR stayed up by the skin of their teeth last season and face Watford in their season opener on Saturday, who have brought in Valerien Ismael as their new manager over the close season.
Watford vs QPR (Saturday, 3pm)
Bet 1: Watford to win
QPR battled against the drop for much of last season, with their form taking a major dip around the time of the World Cup.
They look to have a weaker squad this time than they did in 2022-23 and were recently beaten 5-0 in a pre-season friendly by Oxford.
The R’s are dealing with an injury crisis in defence that means that they have just one senior central defender fit for this clash.
Watford have made some shrewd signings over the summer and should be better than they were last time around, they can win this one.
Bet 2: Over 2.5 goals
With QPR’s injury issues at the back, it is likely that this could become a high-scoring clash and there have been nine goals in the last three head-to-heads between this pair.
Only Blackpool conceded more goals than the R’s last season and over 2.5 goals is the play in this one.
Bet 3: Ryan Porteous to be shown a card
Ryan Porteous was a solid addition to the Watford backline but his reputation from Scotland preceded him and he continued his tendency to attract the attention of the referee in the Championship.
The former Hibs man was booked 12 times across stints at both clubs last season and looks likely to pick up where he left off this time around.
Back Watford to win, over 2.5 goals and Porteous to be shown a card any time at 7/1 with LiveScore Bet