Clash of title kick-off new

DUNDEE United get their promotion bid under way with a clash of title favourites in Inverness.

Relegated Caley Thistle are aiming for a swift return to the top flight and are fancied to be the Tangerines’ biggest challengers for the Championship crown.

And an opening-day meeting of the two gives Ray McKinnon’s men a chance to get an early leg-up on Caley.

The first home game of the league season is a repeat of last with Queen of the South travelling to Tannadice on August 12.

The Tangerines start off 2018 with an Angus derby at home to newlypromoted Brechin City.

Then the end of the season has some tough matches to be negotiated, should United be in a title challenge with three away games in the last five.

Those are at Morton, Dumbarton and Queens with a tricky match at Tannadice against Falkirk in the middle before ending the season at home to Livingston.

United, though, will have a new look about them as Ray reshapes the playing squad.

Getting those to gel will be major task for the management team but that won’t stop the Tangerines being the bookies’ favourites to top the division.

But who will they be up against at the top of the table?

Inverness CT

After relegation from the Premiership last season, Caley will be challengers for the Championship crown.

There is uncertainty, however, in the Highlands after Richie Foran was replaced as manager by John Robertson.

Robertson has history at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, having been in charge for the club’s last promotion to the top flight.

The Inverness board are banking on him repeating that feat as they aim to do what United couldn’t last season — go up at the first time of asking.

Falkirk

The Tangerines’ comeback victory in the play-offs at Falkirk was one of the nights of the season.

Former United favourite Peter Houston’s side have been knocking on the door of the Premiership for some time now and will be t here or thereabouts once again.

A play-off spot is theirs for sure, challenging for the title might be beyond them, however.

Boss Ray McKinnon will be hoping to get United promoted this time. Dundee United’s Willo Flood battles for the ball against Caley’s Ross Draper