Edinburgh Monarchs v Ipswich Witches

PREVIEW Tuesday 10th September 2013, 12:00pm

by Gordon Fraser

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The sensational news ahead of the match at Armadale tonight (TUESDAY) is that Ben Barker, having previously been ruled out for the rest of the season with a back injury, will be fit to ride for the high-flying Ipswich Witches who come looking for precious Premier League points

Ipswich have proved to be hugely entertaining since stepping down from the Elite League in 2010 although injuries have forced a couple of changes to their line-up since they lost by six points to Monarchs in a League Cup tie on 5 July.

Monarchs fans will be hoping that Craig Cook has fully recovered from the virus that kept him out of the match at Glasgow. His fans will be eagerly anticipating his clash with Ipswich No.1, Ben Barker with whom there has been a rivalry since both were competing for the same GB team place.

Derek Sneddon is listed to return to his old spot at No.2 where he will face an exciting Australian prospect, Cameron Heeps (17) who already boasts a six-point average in only his second Premier league season after originally starring for Mildenhall.

Theo Pijper had a quiet match by his standards on the Witches’ last visit so he will be looking to pile up the points at No.3 opposite the Ipswich captain, Leigh Lanham (35), now in his 20th UK speedway season having began his career with then Elite League Ipswich.

Edinburgh will be looking for Jozsef Tabaka to show that his machinery and his starts are up to scratch when he lines up opposite Rohan Tungate (23) from Kurri Kurri, an Australian who is in only his second UK season already with an average a tad under seven.

Edinburgh's No.5, Claus Vissing had a double-figure night against the Witches in July and his opposite number is fellow Danish rider, Morten Risager (25) who hasn’t always had the luck with injuries but who can still turn in Elite League standard performances.

Monarchs again bring in Liam Carr as a National League guest at No.6. On the other side of the pits is an injury replacement for Richie Hawkins, Glasgow's Joe Jacobs who was born and bred in Ipswich and has enjoyed previous success with Mildenhall.

The second reserve positions are likely to play a crucial part and Edinburgh track an injury replacement for Max Fricke, Glasgow's Henning Bager who faces impressive Armadale visitor, Adam Ellis (27) who lives in France and only switched from Grasstrack to speedway a year ago.

Ipswich have already shown that they are capable of winning anywhere this season and, with a team full of young improvers, Monarchs will have to be on their guard, especially since Ipswich are boosted by the return of their talismanic No.1 at such a crucial point in the season.

But with this being Edinburgh’s last home Premier League match they must be looking to take all three points in their push to finish in the top two. It looks being another nail-biter, so take your place on the terraces early. Tapes up at 7.30 sharp.

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Derek Sneddon (capt.), Theo Pijper, Jozsef Tabaka, Claus Vissing, Liam Carr (guest), Henning Bager (guest).

IPSWICH SACKERS WITCHES: Ben Barker, Cameron Heeps, Leigh Lanham (capt.), Rohan Tungate, Morten Risager, Joe Jacobs (guest), Adam Ellis.

Full Result Details