THERE are 15 Betfred Cup ties and 12 of them have odds-on favourites – so don't get sucked into trying a big opening-day accumulator.
Last season heralded the return of the group set-up and summer football and there were plenty of surprises with holders Ross County for example falling at the first hurdle.
Many sides will treat the group stages as a friendly warm-up to the season while wanting to qualify for the next round when the four European qualifiers enter the fray.
I've been scouring the card for value and St Mirren stick out like a sore thumb at Stair Park. Jack Ross's side finished the season well and are expected to compete for a play-off place this time round.
The Paisley side have lost star man Stevie Mallan but have brought in players such as Gavin Reilly, Ian McShane and Gregor Buchanan.
They should be too good for Stranraer and are worth backing at just under evens – Marathonbet go a biggest 5-6.
Another side higher priced than most of the favourites are Queen of the South who travel to Stenhousemuir, relegated to League Two, as 3-4 with sportingbet.
Partick Thistle are one of the few odds against favourites but will be tested at League One champions Livingston. The Jags finished the season poorly after reaching the top six in the Premiership and are a best 21-20 with 888sport. You can have Livi at 27-10 with McBookie.
I'm not tempted at all to lump all the hot favourites on a big accumulator but I had success last season with the moneyback fivefold and giving it another go.
Four sides I expect to win are Motherwell, Morton, Hamilton and Dunfermline – the fourfold pays 7-2 at sportingbet. Well started last season against Rangers and it's a a different story as the launch their road to Hampden … at Hampden.
Take Steve Robinson's men to take care of League Two Queen's Park and Hamilton should do likewise at Lowland League East Kilbride.
Dunfermline finished the season well and can resume with a home win against Elgin while Morton, who have had some decent cup runs recently, can beat Berwick at Shielfield.
Add St Mirren to make it a fivefold that returns 13-2 with sportingbet.
My Super Single is Hibs -2 at home to Montrose. Neil Lennon always demands the best from his team and they'll want to start well before returning to Premiership action. That pays 13-10 at Paddy Power.
If there's a shock it could come at Cowdenbeath who welcome Highland League champions Buckie Thistle. Beath stayed up by beating East Kilbride in a play-off and look short at 4-5 with Marathonbet.
Consider ambitious Buckie at 7-2 with McBookie or 12-5 with the Scots firm not to lose.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
I think there is some value to be had on the Handicaps today
Hamilton Motherwell Inverness all – 1 adding Hibs and Falkirk -2 Five fold is 48/1 with Skybet
Worth some loose change i think
Nice start to the season