CRITICAL WEEKEND

NEWS Monday 8th September 2014, 1:46pm

by Toby Lerone

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It's a critical weekend coming up for the Scotwaste Monarchs as they try to gain the top spot in the Premier League before the cut-off date of midnight on Sunday.

For other teams there are very important fixtures during this week as the race to the top six continues.

From a Scotwaste Monarchs point of view results over the past weekend have put the chance to finish top of the pile back in our own hands. Maximum home points against Redcar and Glasgow on Friday and Newcastle on Saturday could be enough to take us to the top although very big scores in our favour would be required. More likely is the scenario that we will go to Glasgow on Sunday requiring one point.

Somerset are currently six points ahead of us and they seem certain to add a further three points to that in their home match against Workington on Friday. There also have a points difference, at the moment, of 330. The Scotwaste Monarchs sit with a points difference of 282.

Berwick can no longer finish top but could finish second if they win their final home match at home on Wednesday and win at Scunthorpe on Tuesday and Sheffield on Thursday and we manage only one more win.

Ipswich seem likely to finish fourth having completed their fixtures and Scunthorpe will be fifth. The race for sixth place is still very much on. Newcastle hold that position at the moment but would have to win at Armadale on Saturday to remain in the race. Workington have a double header at home against Sheffield on Saturday and if they win both of those matches then Peterborough would have to win their last three home matches by big scores or pick up an away point at Plymouth on Friday to pinch last place.

The real dark horse in the race is Glasgow. If they win at Peterborough on Tuesday and at Armadale on Friday then a win at home to the Monarchs on Sunday could see them sneak into the play-offs.

So the Scotwaste Monarchs have a lot to play for and could also eliminate two of the competing clubs from the play-offs. It's going to be an exciting weekend. Discounted tickets are available for the double header on Friday and also a weekend ticket for Friday and Saturday.