Accumulator tips: How about a west London clean sweep?
What are the chances of a bumper season for west London sides?
Of all the accumulator tips you might stumble across, Chelsea to win the Premier League and Fulham, QPR and Brentford to win promotion from the Championship might be one worth seeking out.
Chelsea will not be among the bookmakers’ favourites, having lost Eden Hazard and been hit with a transfer ban. And while Fulham are much fancied for a quick return to the top flight after last season’s relegation, the chances of Brentford and QPR also challenging might seem remote on paper.
But think again. In Chelsea’s case, new boss Frank Lampard is determined to blood the club’s youngsters and if the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek can produce the goods, Chelsea could well be a force.
Fulham fancied
Fulham will surely be among the Championship’s heavyweights. Ryan Sessegnon looks likely to leave, but Aleksandar Mitrovic committing his future to the club is a major boost and their summer signings have been excellent.
Brentford have flirted with promotion in previous seasons and could well go one better this time, especially if they can keep hold of star striker Neal Maupay.
Signing Pontus Jansson from Leeds United is a huge statement of intent from the Bees, who could be in for a memorable final season at Griffin Park, which they will leave at the end of the campaign for a new home at Lionel Road.
Dark horses
And QPR could be dark horses following a huge revamp of their squad under Mark Warburton.
New boss Warburton has made a host of signings, including the loan captures of talented young midfielders Luke Amos and Matt Smith from Tottenham and Manchester City respectively.
Goalkeeper Liam Kelly, signed from Livingston, is regarded as a good prospect, while left-back Lee Wallace was a huge favourite at Glasgow Rangers, where he played under Warburton.
If Warburton can bring in a striker, who knows how far Rangers could go this season.
The likes of Jorgan Hugill of West Ham could make a huge difference if brought in on loan.
As could Scott Hogan, who is not in Aston Villa’s first-team plans and previously played under Warburton at Brentford.
