Holders Ross County begin their defence of the Betfred Cup when they travel to Links Park to take on Montrose on Saturday.
Jim McIntyre’s men are also joined in Group D by Raith Rovers, Alloa Athletic and Cove Rangers as they bid to reach the last 16 of the competition.
Ross County
Manager: Jim McIntyre
League Cup fact: First-ever tie was a 3-2 win over Queen’s Park in August 1994.
Last season: Current holders after beating Hibernian 2-1 in the 2015/16 final.
Betfred odds to win Group D: 4/5
Summer signings: Christopher Routis (Bradford City), Kenny van der Weg (NAC Breda), Aaron McCarey (Wolves), Erik Cikos (Slovan Bratislava), Jay McEveley (Sheffield United).
Raith Rovers
Manager: Gary Locke
League Cup fact: Won the trophy as a First Division club against Celtic in 1994/95.
Last season: Were beaten 2-0 by Celtic at Parkhead in round three.
Betfred odds to win Group D: 9/4
Summer signings: Bobby Barr (Morton), Chris Johnston (Kilmarnock), Kevin McHattie (Kilmarnock), Aaron Lennox (Aberdeen, loan), Jean-Yves M’Voto Owono (Zawisza Bydgoszcz).
Alloa Athletic
Manager: Jack Ross
League Cup fact: Quarter-finals is the furthest they have gone in the competition.
Last season: Lost 3-2 away to Berwick Rangers AET at Shielfield in the first round.
Betfred odds to win Group D: 11/2
Summer signings: Neil Parry (Airdrieonians), Kevin Cawley (Dumbarton), Jordan Kirkpatrick (Clyde), Jamie Longworth (Stranraer), Jon Robertson (Stenhousemuir), Scott Taggart (Dumbarton), Greig Spence (Cowdenbeath), Calum Waters (Celtic), Andy Graham (Ayr United), Jim Goodwin (St Mirren), Craig McDowall (unattached).
Cove Rangers
Manager: John Sheran
League Cup fact: Qualified for the competition as Highland League champions.
Last season: Did not participate.
Betfred odds to win Group D: 22/1
New signings: Mitch Megginson (Alloa Athletic), Ryan Stott (unattached), Kevin Buchan (Brechin City), Murray McCulloch (Huntly).
Montrose
Manager: Paul Hegarty
League Cup fact: Semi-finalists in 1975/76 but lost to Rangers.
Last season: First round - lost 3-0 to Hibernian at Easter Road.
Betfred odds to win Group D: 14/1
Summer signings: Michael Bolochoweckyj (Clyde), Allan Fleming (Arbroath), Jordan Millar (St Johnstone).
Group D fixture list
Friday July 15
Cove Rangers v Raith Rovers, 7.45pm
Saturday July 16
Montrose v Ross County, 3.00pm
Tuesday July 19
Alloa Athletic v Cove Rangers, 7.30pm
Raith Rovers v Montrose, 7.45pm
Saturday July 23
Montrose v Alloa Athletic, 3.00pm
Ross County v Raith Rovers, 3.00pm
Tuesday July 26
Alloa Athletic v Ross County, 7.30pm
Wednesday July 27
Cove Rangers v Montrose, 7.45pm
Saturday July 30
Raith Rovers v Alloa Athletic, 3.00pm
Ross County v Cove Rangers, 3.00pm
