Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to open the 2023/24 Championship campaign with a statement on Saturday afternoon, Watford will welcome QPR to Vicarage Road this weekend.

Watford

Starting with the hosts, while Watford might have had their sights set on securing an immediate Premier League return last season, the Hornets endured nothing short of a Championship nightmare at Vicarage Road. Eventually having to settle for a sluggish bottom-half finish and coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, Valerien Ismael will know that his squad must make a string of improvements this time around. However, signing off their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, the one-time Barnsley boss has seen his side show some extended inconsistencies on either side of the summer break. Winning just a pair of their final nine Championship appearances last season, Watford will also know the importance of finding some much-needed stability on home soil. Remarkably failing to muster back-to-back victories at Vicarage Road since the middle of October, the Hornets will be desperate to make an early statement on Saturday afternoon.

Team News

Making the move from Reading this summer, Tom Ince will make his competitive debut here. Likewise, arriving from Toulouse on a free transfer, Rhys Healey could spearhead Watford’s attack at Vicarage Road.

In what looks set to be a timely boost for Ismael this weekend, Edo Kayembe has made his return from a long-term injury issue and is expected to play some part on Saturday afternoon. The 25-year-old could be joined by summer arrival Jake Livermore in midfield.

QPR

As for the visitors, only just clinging to their Championship status last season after what was an extended relegation scrap, QPR are desperate to try and find some much-needed stability this time around. Recording just a trio of wins from their final 23 straight second-tier appearances last year and dealing with a long list of issues both on and off the pitch, Gareth Ainsworth’s men look set for another uphill battle this season. Already tipped as one of the leading summer relegation candidates, the former Wycombe boss could face a tricky opener on Saturday afternoon. However, although QPR might have endured that public Championship struggle last season, they did certainly end the 2022/23 campaign with an eye-catching flurry on the road. Including a shock 2-1 victory away at Premier League returners Burnley, Ainsworth’s men mustered seven points from their final three showdowns outside of west London.

Team News

Arriving from Everton on a free transfer this summer, the experienced Asmir Begovic will start between the sticks at Vicarage Road. Likewise, making the move from Nottingham Forest earlier in the week, Jack Colback should make his QPR debut this weekend.

Notching eight Championship strikes last season, attacking talisman Lyndon Dykes will lead Ainsworth’s attack on Saturday afternoon. The Scotland international will likely be joined in the final third by 25-year-old playmaker Ilias Chair.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met on Championship duties back in March, QPR picked up a shock 1-0 victory in west London.
• Likewise, on what has become a remarkable run, Ainsworth’s men have won each of their last three meetings against Watford by an aggregate score of 6-3.
• However, Saturday’s guests signed off the 2022/23 campaign with just a trio of wins from any of their final 23 straight Championship appearances.
• Watford have failed to muster back-to-back victories at Vicarage Road since the middle of October.
• 11 of Watford’s final 12 Championship appearances at Vicarage Road last season finished with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

Publicly missing out on a play-off spot last season and only limping their way to a top-half finish, Watford will know the importance of flying out the traps this time around. However, failing to muster back-to-back wins at Vicarage Road since back in October, the Hornets should also be worried by a nightmare record against Saturday’s guests. Remarkably losing each of their last three Championship meetings against QPR by an aggregate score of 6-3, last season’s relegation scrappers will be desperate to spring another heavyweight upset here. It should be noted, with Watford seeing 11 of their final 12 appearances on home soil finish with over 1.5 goals last year, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet