The new Scottish Premiership campaign begins at Tannadice on Friday night as Dundee United entertain Rangers.
Following another trophyless season and a third-placed finish in the Premiership, Rangers allowed head coach Danny Rohl to move on to RB Salzburg in the summer and swiftly replaced him with ex-Hearts boss Derek McInnes.
The nine-in-a-row hero will be in the dugout for his first competitive game in charge of his boyhood heroes with a tricky-looking trip to Tannadice on Friday night.
Jim Goodwin was openly disappointed that his side failed to make it back-to-back top-six finishes last term, as they finished in seventh position.
The Terrors have already been in competitive action, as they topped their League Cup group despite a shock defeat at Montrose – setting up a home tie with the other half of the Old Firm in a fortnight.
How the bookies view it: Rangers favourites
Rangers are favourites to make a winning start to their title challenge, with bet365 pricing an away success at 8/15.
Dundee United are 9/2 underdogs to claim all three points, whilst the draw is 10/3.
Head to head: Gers dominance
Rangers have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, as they have won eight of their previous 11 meetings with The Tangerines (W8-D3-L0).
Dundee United’s last win against The Teddy Bears came in a 1-0 victory at Tannadice in August 2021, but they did draw 2-2 when they last met in the City of Discovery last December.
Players to watch: Sapsford to strike again against Gers?
Dundee United top-scorer last season, Zachary Sapsford has already been amongst the goals this season, scoring in three of their four League Cup group-stage matches.
The Australian provided a goal contribution in all three of United’s fixtures with Rangers last season – scoring in each of the last two – and looks good value at 6/4 to Score or Assist on Friday night.
Predicted line-ups:
Dundee United appear to be nearly at full strength, with only youngster Miller Thomson missing.
Rangers continue to be without Nico Raskin following his exploits with Belgium at the World Cup in the summer, whilst Ross McCrorie and Connor Barron (both injury) are doubts.
Dundee United: Walton, Naamo, Iovu, Forbes, Ferry, Camara, Eskesen, Tait, Randall, Rose, Sapsford
Rangers: Pandur, Sterling, Fernandez, Godfrey, Rommens, Neil, Devlin, Curtis, Aasgaard, Shankland, Chermiti
Anything else catch the eye?
Rangers will look to make a winning start under Derek McInnes on Friday night, but they don’t have a good recent record on the opening day of the season, dropping points in each of their last three seasons (W0-D2-L1).
Dundee United are unbeaten in each of their previous seven Premiership fixtures in front of their supporters (W4-D3-L0), and defeated champions Celtic twice there last campaign, as well as drawing 2-2 with the Gers.
Dundee United +1.0 on the Asian Handicap pays 39/40 at bet365, with a win or draw resulting in a full payout, whilst if Rangers win by a solitary goal, we will receive our stakes back.
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