What are our pundits' Premiership pundit predictions?

With the shadow boxing of pre-season well and truly over, who has emerged stronger or weaker?

We have already had the League Cup group stage and the first European qualifiers, but now the Scottish football season truly gets into full swing with the first domestic league fixtures this weekend.

So some of BBC Scotland's football pundits were asked to give us their preditions for the top-flight campaign.

There was no surprise with their unanimous view on who would finish Premiership champions and runners-up - and one team stood out as likely relegation candidates.

But who did they think will finish third - and who do they reckon will be the surprise guys? Read on.

1st: Celtic

The reigning champions still have the strongest squad, with a top-class, proven manager.

2nd: Rangers

With a new head coach, new owners and new investment, the Ibrox side quite simply have to be at runners-up at worst.

3rd: Aberdeen

If they can cope with European football, the Dons have a cup-winning squad, a proven, successful, experienced manager and a chairman who will back him financially.

Relegated: Dundee

With a whole host of players departing, a new coach in the form of Steven Presley who was not the most popular choice as far as their fans are concerned, and a poor start to the League Cup, the pressure could come on early at Dens Park.

Surprise package: Falkirk

They have a coach in John McGlynn who likes to play the game in a cultured fashion, which he won't change, so they will be easy on the eye and successfull with it.

1st: Celtic

The strength of their squad is superior to the rest and, financially, they can add quality when needed. They also have players who are Celtic through and through and play with passion and desire.

2nd: Rangers

With lots of changes behind the scenes at Ibrox, it may take a bit of time to bed in and get them back to really competing at Celtic's level.

3rd: Hibernian

David Gray had a tough start as head coach, but then things started to click and, based on their strong second half of last season, they have a good foundation to build on. Their first five games of the season - Dundee, Kilmarnock, Livingston, Falkirk and St Mirren - are all games they can go into confident they can get early points on the board.

Relegated: Dundee

This is always a really tough to answer as teams work really hard to prepare their squads for the new season. I've based my answer on a couple of poor League Cup results and also, with a new head coach coming in, it may take time for them to hit the ground running.

Surprise package: Falkirk

After back-to-back promotions, it's exciting to see how the Bairns can compete at the highest level.

1st: Celtic

They're the strongest team with the biggest budget and a top-level manager as well. They're still looking to bring in a main striker too, which I can only see strengthening their grip on the Premiership. As long as these facts remain, Celtic are going to continue to be the force to reckon with here.

2nd: Rangers

They're the next biggest club in the country and clearly, with all the new people moving into positions in their hierarchy, they'll be desperate to close the gap on Celtic, but I'm not sure that will be achievable just now. I think there's scope for those behind to potentially get closer to the Ibrox side.

3rd: Heart of Midlothian

For the first time in years, Hearts have made a serious managerial appointment and, with some of the Jamestown signings looking like they may have an impact offensively, it could be a positive partnership for all concerned at Tynecastle.

I see a really interesting battle for third between the two Edinburgh sides, as Hibs have transformed into a club who really have their house in order.

Relegated: ?

Impossible to say until we get a chance to see all the sides in action. However, I think it could be a challenging season for Dundee, given the self-enforced changes and the loss of key players. Along with the likes of Kilmarnock, Livingston and Falkirk, I see them potentially fighting it out.

Surprise package: Motherwell

If the Steelmen make a relatively bright start to the campaign then the style Jens Berthel Askou is implementing could be really enjoyable for the fans to watch - and ultimately rewarding too - with a chance to challenge for the top six.

1st: Celtic

The champions have work to do on the squad as it stands, but I think they will address this with some more eye-catching signings towards the end of the window and, with Brendan Rodgers being the best manager in the league, I don't see any other winner.

2nd: Rangers

I think the Ibrox side may be closer to Celtic come May than last season, but I think it will take a few months to hit top form, which will leave them points behind. Always difficult to chase such a dominant Celtic.

3rd: Heart of Midlothian

Derek McInnes arriving as head coach and actually playing Lawrence Shankland in his favoured position up top equals best of the rest. Simple. Not playing in Europe will be a huge advantage versus the other teams expected to challenge for third.

Relegated: Dundee

Easily the toughest one to predict. Poor League Cup group-stage campaigns don't always mean much, but Falkirk and Livingston look good, so I will say Dundee. Very much guess work at this stage with this one though.

Surprise package: Livingston

David Martindale is determined to try and lose the long ball, physicality tag. Whilst they may not be top six, I think they will be comfortable this season, finishing best of the rest.

1st: Celtic

The reigning champions have the best players and the deepest squad, as well as Brendan Rodgers as manager.

2nd: Rangers

Still a lot of questions around the new signings and their ability to win a title in a two-horse race. Time will tell if they're good enough.

3rd: Heart of Midlothian

Not having group stage European football as a distraction is a huge bonus for the Edinburgh side. The players underperformed last season and, with the additions over the summer, they have a better balance to the squad.

Relegated: Dundee

I'm judging this as we stand and not at the end of the transfer window remember. They have lost a lot of their reliable players who had good Scottish Premiership experience and haven't yet managed to replace them and I'm not sure they can. A bit into the unknown.

Surprise package: Livingston

I'm not sure they'll be a surprise, but David Martindale has recruited well. He got his business done early and his squad has a lot of players with a point to prove and I think they'll prove it. A downside for them, though, is that teams won't dread going to Almondvale (or whatever it's called now) because of the new artificial pitch. I think they will stay well clear of trouble but won't have enough for top six.