Aberdeen had the season from hell last term and Hearts were a couple of minutes away from becoming icons.
But it doesn't take long for Scottish football to change and Aberdeen look a good price to justify a bit of a plunge on Saturday night at 9/4 with McBookie.com to beat the Jambos at Pittodrie.
The Dons were in severe danger of being dragged into a relegation dogfight last season until they finally got their act together after the split.
Stephen Robinson has spent the summer adding some backbone to a squad that was bullied all over the pitch last season and plenty of the 11 players he has brought in have course and distance experience in the Premiership
They breezed their League Cup group stages and now look a threat on set-pieces too and they look more solid defensively.
Hearts' summer has been well documented. They have lost the spine of the team that did a Devon Loch last season and of course their manager.
New man Wouter Vrancken should come good, but he has almost an entirely new side to blood in and their confidence must be shattered after their 6-0 demolition in the Champions League by Sturm Graz.
Hearts have a dreadful record at Pittodrie and even lost last season there too. Aberdeen have been well backed all week from 7/2 and can justify the money.
Ayr United vs Arbroath prediction
Ayr United are 14/1 to win the Championship which is an interesting shout and they look a steal at McBookie.com's 8/5 to get their league season underway with a home win against Arbroath.
The appointment of Gary Naysmith looks an astute move after he somehow guided Stenhousemuir to promotion last term – the first time Stenny have been in the second tier for 52 years.
Their League Cup form has been very solid with an impressive four wins out of four which included a statement success at Falkirk.
Naysmith has brought in players who look good at this level including capturing Rangers' Leon King permanently after a loan spell.
Arbroath weren't impressive in their section and could take time to get up to speed this term.
Alloa vs East Fife prediction
East Fife look an attractive price at 9/4 with McBookie.com to win at Alloa.
Dick Campbell's men were unbeaten in their four League Cup games and drew at Premiership St Johnstone and defeated Championship Morton.
Alloa look light on numbers and experienced players this season and could find it tough against an East Fife team who have plenty of old heads in their side.
Freelance Scottish Football journalist for all newspapers. Former Racing Post Scottish Football Correspondent and long-suffering Aberdeen fan.
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