Steve McLaren's men set for strong season - starting tomorrow

West Ham and Leicester, at 9/2 apiece via Betfred, head the betting to clinch the Championship title and both should end up there or thereabouts at he end of the season, with Hammers perhaps getting the nod under the guidance of Sam Allardyce.

Both look set to make a winning start to their promotion bids; the Foxes travel to Coventry, where Betdaq chalk them up at a tasty 2.1 (11/10) to get the better of one of the division's potential strugglers. West Ham meanwhile, entertain Cardiff on Sunday and, with the Bluebirds having lost a few key players over the summer, a home win looks on the cards at 4/5 (Totesport).

Managed by ex-England boss Steve McClaren - who has spent the summer trying to take Hibs boss Colin Calderwood to the City Ground - Nottingham Forest are a decent each-way shout in the Championship betting, at 14/1 courtesy of Paddy Power and Victor Chandler rate them at 8/13 to hit the ground running by sending Barnsley home empty-handed tomorrow. The Tykes look set to be concerned by matters at the foot of the table this term and this home assignment can set the tone for the rest of their campaign.

Promoted pair Brighton and Southampton can make light of their status as divisional newcomers by carding opening day victories. For the Seagulls, quoted by Stan James at 10/11, the excitement of turning out at a brand new stadium can spur them on to success against one of the relegation favourites, Doncaster, while Ladbrokes mark 6/5 against a Southampton triumph as they welcome Leeds to the south coast. In League One, Sheffield Wednesday are priced by Sportingbet at a tempting 6/1 to clinch top spot and they can start as they mean to go on by overcoming Rochdale at Hillsborough, a result available with Victor Chandler at 5/6. However, at an identical price, this time thanks to bet365, the value in England's third tier lies with Brentford. The Bees have the potential to surprise a few people this season and on their own patch they should have no trouble disposing of a Yeovil side likely to be involved in a relegation dogfight. Former Hibs striker Clayton Donaldson is 5/1 (Paddy Power) to bag the opener for the home side in that one.

Also primed to prevail at home are Carlisle (6/5, Boylesports), who can make Brunton Park something of a fortress over the course of the campaign, starting with a win against Notts County. Meanwhile, new boys Chesterfield have been underestimated and look overpriced at 9/5 with Paddy Power, to grab all three points at Tranmere, who sold young star Dale Jennings to Bayern Munich during the close season.

Finally, Betfred's 3/1 League Two title favourites Crawley are 11/8 (Skybet) as they visit Port Vale but priced by Partybets at 5/6.Northampton are the stand out wager in the bottom division as they come up against a much-changed Accrington side, who will find it difficult to get anywhere near the standards that saw them reach the play-offs last term.

Weekend accumulator

Brighton, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Northampton (20/1, Skybet)

Top treble

Leicester, Carlisle, Chesterfield (11/1, bet365)

First goalscorer

Clayton Donaldson, Brentford (5/1, Paddy Power)

n Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com All odds subject to change