(SPEEDWAY 1)
BIRMINGHAM can secure top spot in the Elite League ahead of the play-offs if they avoid defeat against King’s Lynn at Perry Barr on Wednesday.The home side return to full strength with Ben Barker and Nico Covatti back from injury, whilst Kenneth Bjerre guests for the unavailable Niels-Kristian Iversen for the Stars.Birmingham boss Phil Morris said: “What an opportunity this is to show off to the league what potential we have and the chance to build some form ahead of the play-offs.“King’s Lynn are a tough side and although they’re missing Niels, Kenneth is no slouch round Perry Barr either so it’ll be tough – we’re more than aware of that. We’ve got a full side out so we hope to see a big crowd in like we have had for the past few months; it really does help with the team spirit.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
EASTBOURNE are looking to wrap up a strong home campaign when they switch to a Friday race-night this week for the Arlington clash with Belle Vue.The Eagles have struggled on the road this season but a win against the Aces would give them 13 out of 14 on their own circuit, and Simon Gustafsson will drop to reserve for the fixture.Eastbourne boss Trevor Geer said: “Simon has been riding particularly well in recent weeks but the averages dictate that he moves down for our final league match of the season.“We’ve had a pretty good season at home with our only defeat at the hands of Poole. I am telling the lads that we need to finish off the job with a good win over Belle Vue.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
EDINBURGH racked up a 59-36 win over play-off rivals Ipswich in a rare Tuesday fixture at Armadale - to move to within one point of the Witches with a match in hand.It was the Monarchs’ best home performance of the season with Craig Cook leading the way with a 15-point maximum, five other riders winning races and reserve Max Fricke taking four paid wins.Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “That was first class, everyone performed well and we were on top throughout. An easy night to be team manager.”The teams meet again at Foxhall on Thursday with Ritchie Hawkins set to return for the Witches at reserve.(SPEEDWAY 4)
SHEFFIELD will hand a debut to former mascot Max Clegg in their last Premier League meeting of the season at home to Somerset on Thursday.Clegg, 16, was the Tigers mascot until he graduated to racing full-time last season, and this year he’s continued his racing education at National League table-toppers Dudley. Richie Worrall will stand in at No.1 for the Tigers against the Rebels.Clegg said: “It was a great boost for me to get the call from Sheffield, it's my first ever Premier League meeting and I'm really pleased.“I'd had a tough night riding for Dudley on Tuesday and on the way home we got the phone call from Sheffield. It was just what I needed!”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
DUDLEY built up a 22-point lead from the first leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final against King’s Lynn after a night of hard racing at Monmore Green.Lewis Blackbird scored a paid maximum for the home side with Paul Starke and Ashley Morris dropping just one point, both to the Young Stars’ top-scorer Lewis Kerr.Dudley boss Will Pottinger said: “We started a little slowly but it worked out perfectly in the end, limiting when they could use a tactical ride before we pulled away in the closing stages."We were absolutely fantastic after the interval and it gives us a great chance ahead of the second leg (on Wednesday).”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 11:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: King’s Lynn v Dudley 7.30KRZYSZTOF KASPRZAK TESTIMONIAL: Poole 7.30
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Edinburgh 7.30, Sheffield v Somerset 7.45
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Belle Vue 7.45, King’s Lynn v Birmingham 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Ipswich 7.30DEREK SNEDDON TESTIMONIAL: Edinburgh 7.15TONY SANFORD MEMORIAL TROPHY: Plymouth 7.15
