Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers

East will meet West meet somewhere in the middle when the Glasgow Tigers, fresh from their first away win in a very long time, challenge the Edinburgh Monarchs, who haven't lost at home in a very long time, for Premier League points at Armadale this Friday.

Glasgow are another side who haven't had the Monarchs luxury of fielding virtually the same seven riders week in, week out and have been forced to shuffle the pack and make a couple of changes from time to time in the hunt for a consistent, winning formula.

The exotically named Victor Palovaara, a 20-year-old rider from Sweden, makes his Armadale debut at No.1 for the Tigers after replacing Christian Henry, who in turn had replaced Mark Lemon. His simple task is to try to match the Premier League's star rider, Craig Cook who has been working hard to overcome a mild blip in his fantastic form.

At No.2 for the Tigers is Theo Pijper, Glasgow's captain, only a month away from his Testimonial meeting at Ashfield after nearly a decade as a Monarch. He lines up opposite 22-year-old Justin Sedgmen from Mildura, a very shrewd close season signing who has proved invaluable in a solid Monarchs' top five.

Another former Monarchs No.1 appears at No 3 for Glasgow, Kevin Wolbert, the German with Polish roots who has been out of UK speedway for a few seasons, but who is still only 25. His opposite number is Max Fricke, now back to full fitness and riding with an ability that belies his age and experience.

Glasgow parade their most recent signing at No.4, the 30-year-old Finnish rider, Tero Aarnio, formerly a Workington Comet and a Berwick Bandit who replaces young Anders Thomsen who couldn't make UK speedway pay. He will have to be at his very best to eclipse Monarchs' unassuming, fast-rising star, Stevie Worrall.

One-time Comet and Monarch, Rusty Harrison has put in some very lively and entertaining performances at the Scotwaste Arena but he has his work cut out against the seriously in-form Sam Masters who has been dominating all his races in recent weeks to such an extent that he could be mistaken for the Monarchs' top rider.

Another young Dane fills the Tigers' No.6 slot, 20-year-old Kasper Lykke Nielsen who should have a liking for smaller tracks, having been with Rye House for two seasons. Edinburgh will be hoping their first reserve, Aaron Fox, has shrugged off the effects of his Berwick crash and is ready for a big finish to his first season.

It's a quick return to Armadale for Berwick's flying reserve Alex Edberg who is filling in for Dmitri Berge, recently injured in France. Derek Sneddon, the Edinburgh skipper who has dropped down to the No.7 position has been trying every way he knows how to get back among the big scores he knows he is capable of making from reserve.

Like many other clubs, Monarchs are desperate to get through all their remaining fixtures before the cut-off date and at the same time pick up maximum points. For their part, Tigers pulled off a staggering result at Workington last Friday and will be looking for a repeat in order to keep their own play-off chances alive.

This is probably the strongest Glasgow line-up of the season and into the bargain the home fans will be able to have a first glimpse of the Tigers' surprise Swedish signing. Can Glasgow keep the scores close or can Monarchs emulate the devastating home form of their main rivals, Somerset Rebels? Be there to find out! Tapes up at 7.30 sharp.

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS; Craig Cook, Justin Sedgmen, Max Fricke, Stevie Worrall, Sam Masters, Aaron Fox, Derek Sneddon (capt.)

GLASGOW ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Victor Palovaara, Theo Pijper (capt.), Kevin Wolbert, Tero Aarnio, Rusty Harrison, Kasper Lykke, Alex Edberg (guest).