New season, new opportunity to lose money you don't have on bets you were never going to win. Let our tame professional odds compiler Alex Rowe help you restrict the damage.

It doesn’t seem five minutes since Karl Henry was curling one into the top corner against Bristol City to end a thoroughly under-whelming season but yes its August and we’re back for more.

The Championship ante-post odds, more than ever before, reflect the transfer market. Newcastle 15/8, Villa 9/1 and Norwich 9/1 are the division' s three biggest spenders and they head the outright market. It's tough to disagree.

QPR-wise, last year’s mid-table finish and sensible transfer business during the summer means the markets are expecting more of the same: 40/1 to win the League, 10/1 for promotion and 12/1 relegation. In my opinion they are a fair reflection of where the club is this season. The necessary cost cutting and the prudent arrivals this summer all feel like we’re working towards being a stable club again.

With the budget given, if Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has us in the hunt for the top six finish (4/1) come March / April he’ll have done very well. The sooner the wider fan base realise this the sooner we’ll be back to where we all want to be.

The match odds for Sunday see QPR 6/5, Leeds 11/4 and the draw 23/10. Both teams to score Yes 10/11 with No 4/5. Over 2.5 goals 5/4 and Under 4/6

As is often the case opening weekend, away managers will snap you’re hand off for a draw and home managers will be desperate to avoid defeat. I'm expecting Hasselbaink and Garry Monk to be no different which leads me to backing the Half Time draw at 11/10.

At a more attractive price, Jordan Cousins has impressed in pre-season and 25/1 with Bet Victor to be Man Of the Match looks worthy of a few quid. If you’re in agreement and expect a cagey affair he could well be the eye catcher on his debut.

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