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Friday 24th July 2015

Ready for the off...

The Championship, League 1 and League 2 clubs get their seasons under way this weekend in the first round of the Petrofac Training Cup.

The Championship, League 1 and League 2 clubs get their seasons under way this weekend in the first round of the Petrofac Training Cup.

Who do the holders play? Mark Burchill’s Livingston, who beat Alloa 4-0 in last season's final at McDiarmid Park, welcome Clyde to the Energy Assets Arena.

Any games on TV? BBC ALBA have live coverage of the meeting between Championship rivals Hibernian and Rangers at Easter Road, kick-off 12.30pm.

Many managerial debuts? Allan Johnston (Dunfermline), Darren Dods (Brechin), Colin Nish (Cowdenbeath), Ray McKinnon (Raith Rovers), Mark Warburton (Rangers), Stephen Aitken (Dumbarton), Brian Reid (Stranraer) and Ian Murray (St Mirren) all take charge of their new clubs, as does Richie Brittain, who has been appointed player/manager of Brora Rangers.

Who are the tournament favourites? Ladbrokes rate Rangers a 6/4 shot to lift the trophy next April. Hibernian are 7/2 and St Mirren 4/1. Falkirk and Queen of the South are next at 12/1.

Any derby matches? Plenty. Cowdenbeath play Raith Rovers at Central Park and tenants East Stirlingshire meet landlords Stenhousemuir at Ochilview. Forfar host Montrose and Dumbarton go across the water to play Morton.

Who do the non-SPFL sides face? Highland League champions Brora Rangers welcome last season's runners-up Alloa to Dudgeon Park and Lowland League champions Edinburgh City take on Queen's Park at Meadowbank Stadium.

Are trialists allowed? Yes. Clubs can field a maximum of two trialists in the first round of the competition only and several are likely to do so.

When's the second-round draw? The draw for the last 16, which will again be split into a North and South section, will be made in the Hall of Fame at Hampden on Monday at 2.30pm and will be live on the SPFL YouTube channel. Second-round ties are scheduled for August 18/19.

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