Supporters of the Active Nation Scottish Cup holders will be encouraged by the fact that so far the Tannadice club have kept the bulk of their squad intact from last season, where they played some of the best football on show to comfortably grab third place.

Andy Webster has returned to Rangers after a season-long loan but the likes of David Goodwillie and Craig Conway look set to continue their development at Tannadice.

United manager Peter Houston, who stepped up to the hot seat after Craig Levein departed for the Scotland job last December, will be looking for the level of consistency required for any credible challenge to the Glasgow giants to be made.

Also fighting for European spots will be Edinburgh rivals, Hearts and Hibernian.

Hibs pipped Motherwell to fourth place last season on the last day even though John Hughes had to put up with the inconsistency that has bedevilled Hibs managers throughout the years.

But if star strikers Derek Riordan and Anthony Stokes replicate last season's form then the Easter Road side could make further strides.

Hearts changed managers in mid-season, with Jim Jefferies taking over from Csaba Laszlo and could only manage sixth spot.

Jefferies, managing the Gorgie club for the second time, raided former club Kilmarnock to take Kevin Kyle and the big striker will be instrumental to how Hearts play.

The Jambos might not be easy on the eye but Jefferies will demand a top-four spot at least.

Former Scotland boss Craig Brown took over at Motherwell after the departure of Jim Gannon in December and took the club into Europe.

However, important players such as keeper John Ruddy have left the club and the experienced Brown, along with side-kick Archie Knox, will again have to bring all their experience to bear if similar results are to be achieved.

But a top six spot for the Lanarkshire side should be a realistic aim again.

St Johnstone narrowly missed out on a top six spot last season after an impressive campaign which also saw a record win over champions Rangers at home.

Saints boss Derek McInnes wheeled and dealed in the transfer market, enticing quality players Jody Morris and Michael Duberry north of the border

The Perth men have to beware of 'second season syndrome' in the SPL but McInnes, one of the shrewdest young managers in Scotland, will have enough to keep his side well away from trouble.

Aberdeen fans will be looking for their favourites to make a better fist of this season after yet another unimpressive campaign in which they lost to lower league opposition in both cup competitions.

Manager Mark McGhee will spend much of his time dampening down expectations, as he did last season, but financially restrictive times or not, Aberdeen should be expected finish at least in the top six.

Hamilton finished top of the 'bottom six' last season after a late run saw them win eight of their last 11 matches.

Accies will again be organised and enthusiastic and boss Billy Reid, with Andy Millen as his new assistant, should have the experience to keep the Lanarkshire club in the top flight.

The relegation battle is likely to be fought out between newly-promoted Inverness, Kilmarnock and St Mirren.

Caley surprised many - including long-time Irn-Bru First Division leaders Dundee - when they battled their way back into the SPL.

Inverness boss Terry Butcher has brought in several new faces but will have to scrap and fight for every point they win this season.

Cash-strapped Kilmarnock are a club in trouble and new boss Mixu Paatelainen has his work cut out keeping them away from the bottom of the table, especially having lost top scorer Kevin Kyle to Hearts.

David Fernandez has also left the club along with stalwarts Gavin Skelton and Simon Ford and with no money to buy any real quality, the former Hibs boss is likely to be embroiled in a fight for survival from the opening day.

St Mirren fans may be looking to new boss Danny Lennon's first season in charge with some fear.

He took over from Gus MacPherson who had been used to working miracles with meagre resources.

Lennon had guided Cowdenbeath in to the Irn-Bru First Division and has returned to his former club to recruit Darren McGregor, Paul McQuade, Peter Bradley and Gareth Wardlaw.

But more quality and experience will have to be added if the Buddies are to stay away from the danger zone.