The curtain is raised for a new Ladbrokes Championship season tomorrow as St Mirren host Falkirk at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
The Buddies spent most of last season seemingly destined for the drop, even sitting eight points adrift at the foot of the table going into March. But Jack Ross' side roared back, winning seven of their last 13 matches to secure survival and finish in seventh place.
St Mirren opened the 2016/17 season with a 1-1 draw against Renfrewshire rivals Morton at home. Thomas O'Ware gave the visitors a first half lead before John Sutton rose above the Ton defence to nod home a from a Lewis Morgan cross to gain a point for the Saints.
The Buddies haven't won an opening day match since 2006 when second half goals from Stewart Kean and John Sutton saw the Buddies come from behind to defeat Inverness Caley Thistle.
Falkirk's 2016/17 campaign began with 2-1 loss to eventual champions Hibernian at the Falkirk Stadium. Jason Cummings put Hibs ahead with just two minutes played before Craig Sibbald equalised seven minutes later. But Cummings popped up in the second half to seal the win for the Hibees.
It's been a busy summer for Saints with the signings of Gavin Reilly, Ross Stewart, Ross Stewart, Dale Hilson, Ian McShane, Jordan Kirkpatrick, Gregor Buchanan, Harry Davis, Craig Samson and Cammy Smith coming in. Stevie Mallan was the big loss for Saints as the youth academy graduate moved to English Championship side Barnsley. Norwegian Pål Fjelde left the club along with Ben Gordon, Andy Webster and Jordan Stewart, while Billy O'Brien and Rory Loy's loan spells ended.
Falkirk have seen Fraser Aird, Luke Leahy, John Baird, David McCracken, Bob McHugh and Craig Sibbald leave since the end of last season. The Bairns haven't been too proactive in the transfer window with just three players coming in thus far. Goalkeeper David Mitchell joined from Dundee, along with ex-Saints loanee Rory Loy, while Alex Harris has also signed up after leaving Hibernian.
Wins over League One sides Stranraer and Airdrieonians weren't enough for the Buddies to progress to the next round of the Betfred Cup as losses to Livingston and Partick Thistle meant Saints ended on six points. Whereas Falkirk took 12 points from 12 in their Betfred Cup group as they overcame Inverness, Stirling Albion, Brechin City and Forfar to set up a last-16 tie against Livingston.
The last match between the two came in April as Rory Loy and Stephen McGinn put St Mirren ahead twice at the Falkirk Stadium with Lee Miller and Bob McHugh helping the Bairns on to a point.
Ahead of the match, Saints were boosted by the news that manager Jack Ross and James Fowler have signed contract extensions that tie them to the club until 2020.
Tomorrow's encounter should prove to be an intriguing contest with two sides with aspirations of promotion coming face-to-face. A large crowd will be expected with Saints looking to carry on the momentum from last season's end into the new season and get that first opening day win in 11 years. Falkirk, however, will be looking to go one further this campaign after missing out on promotion via the play-offs again.
