Betfred Cup challenges for city pair

DUNDEE and Dundee United now know who, if not exactly where and when, they’ll be playing when the group stages of the Betfred Cup kick off in mid-July.

And while they will fancy their chances of making it through to the knockout stages, both know they’ll have to be on their mettle right from the first kick of the new season.

The Dark Blues will be strong favourites to win Group D, that sees them alongside Dunfermline, Stirling Albion, Brechin City and Peterhead.

Recent history, however, will tell them there are a couple of potential banana skins in there.

Two years ago a miserable Betfred campaign saw them go down to Jim McInally’s Peterhead up at Balmoor.

They didn’t get out of the group and it was a blow from which then manager Paul Hartley never really recovered as he was sacked before the end of the season.

The campaign before, prior to the group format being introduced, they travelled to East End Park to face a Pars side that, being in League One, was not expected to provide too stern a test.

They did and Hartley’s men crashed out 3-1 on another disappointing knockout night.

For United, their big test with what will be a new-look side is to overcome new Championship promotion rivals Ross County.

That clash will give them not just an early indication of how they are gelling but j ust how strong the Staggies are likely to be in the coming league campaign.

The pair have been placed in Group A along with Arbroath, Elgin City and Alloa Athletic.

It’s likely to mean at least one long road trip to either Dingwall or Elgin.

With County dropping down from the top flight and Alloa winning promotion from League One it also throws up the strange scenario of three Championship teams in the same group.

The clash with Arbroath will also be a repeat of the first-ever of the