IMO i would make them clear favourtites but not by much, id put the Heathens, BV, KL & Stoke all joint second favourites.
My reasons are
1. Of all the young riders that visited QM last year (outside of morris, branford & garrity) they impressed me the most, and there averages are not inflated by huge home wins & HTA.
2.They now have Cooper as an out & out number 1 who will ave 9+,
3.Increased HTA-Owlerton is a tough track & most visiting riders struggle especially on 1st visits.
4.All the top teams of last year are weaker than last year.
5.And Scunny's riders probably have been practising the most out of all NL riders over the winter.
6.I think home form will be vital dont see many away wins this year, so winning home matches by big points & picking up points away for losing by <6 could be vital. I think as an overall side they are going to be the best at doing that.