Premiership Accumulator

The new season can get off to a bang for three sides who ended last campaign with reasons to celebrate. QPR won the Championship and can mark their return to the top flight, after a 15 year absence, with three points at home to Bolton. Roberto Martinez was being thrown up in the air by his players back in May, in a good way, after his side pulled off a dramatic last day escape from relegation. Fulham secured a fine top eight finish and secured a spot in Europe due to topping the Fair Play table. They can both win too to complete a 10/1 treble with Bet365.

The feel-good factor may dissipate at Loftus Road eventually, but it can sustain a hope-filled first 90 minutes back in the big time. Bolton in many ways are the perfect visitors, having lost five consecutive away games to close off last season. Adeel Taarabt will relish the Premier League stage where he will really grab some headlines is he can continue to torment defences. New QPR signings Jay Bothroyd, Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer are all expected to play too. Wanderers have been weakened by the departures of Elmander and Taylor, and most especially by Daniel Sturridge returning to his parent club Chelsea.

Fulham and Villa both start life under new management but its the hosts who should have the edge at Craven Cottage. Martin Jol is the sort who the fans will take to quickly, and he will be helped by continuity among the playing staff. John Arne Riise has been added to the ranks, but the likes of Murphy, Hangeland and Zamora have been well-settled in west London for a while now.

The same can’t be said at Villa Park. Alex McLeish has it all to prove to his new ‘supporters’ and the exits of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing won’t help. This isn’t a great fixture to start things off for the ex-Birmingham boss. Fulham have a great recent home record, with six wins and two draws in their previous nine matches there. Villa finished last season pretty well too, but the mood all changed over the summer and it should be a busy afternoon for Shay Given in goal on his debut.

Wigan and Norwich contest a match that some might cruelly regard as the first ‘6-pointer’ of the season. The dramatic last day escape will do wonders for morale at the DW Stadium and the visit of the Canaries will already be marked down as an important game to win. Norwich will probably take some time to adapt to the rigours of the top flight but they should have some joy at Carrow Road. However, last time they were up they failed to a win a single away match all season; relegation inevitably followed. Expect the Latics to remind them how tough it will be again on Saturday.

Back QPR, Fulham and Wigan to all win at home at odds of 10/1 with Bet365.