How Dundee United reach Conference League, potential opponents, prize money and key dates

Dundee United are preparing for their first European campaign in ten years after their fourth place finish in the Scottish Premiership.

The Tannadice side won the race for fourth ahead of Ross County and Motherwell and will play a European tie for the first time since losing 7-2 on aggregate to Dynamo Moscow in the 2012/13 Europa League qualifiers.

Here is all you need to know about the upcoming campaign:

As Scotland’s fourth-ranked entrants – behind Celtic, Rangers and Hearts – United will enter the Europa Conference League at the third qualifying stage in the Main Path.

Tam Courts will have to lead his side to success in two two-legged ties. First the third qualifying round then the play-off round for a place in the group stages.

Unfortunately for United, they will be unseeded in the third qualifying round and then again at the play-off stage if they progress. Which, of course, will make it slightly more tricky to reach the groups.

There are some big names who should be in the seeded side of the third qualifying round. Belgian giants Anderlecht, Dutch side Twente as well Gil Vicente from Portugal, Ukraine’s Zorya Luhansk and Wolfsberger of Austria are all in there.

Other possible opponents will likely be Basel, Slavia Prague, Molde and İstanbul Başakşehir. However, there could be more winnable ties against Lithuanian, Estonian or Latvian opposition.

As for the play-off round, much will depend on who progresses from the third round. But Villarreal, West Ham United, Fiorentina, FC Köln and Nice will all enter at that stage and have a decent chance of all being seeded.

The draw for the third qualifying round will take place on July 18 with the play-off round draw August 1.

United fans should be marking off August 4 and