PREVIEW: PETERBOROUGH v IPSWICH (Prem)

PETERBOROUGH host Ipswich in their Premiership opener tonight (Monday) – a meeting which features the much-anticipated UK return of International stars Nicki Pedersen and Emil Sayfutdinov.

The clubs were frustrated by the weather at Foxhall on Thursday but are now set for a huge clash at the East of England Arena, with Pedersen at No.1 for the Panthers and Saytfutdinov lining up for the Witches.

Niels-Kristian Iversen is also back for the home side whilst Ipswich have been boosted by impressive victories over the weekend for Jason Doyle (Sam Masters Testimonial) and skipper Danny King (Ben Fund Bonanza).

Pedersen said: “I’m already feeling a good atmosphere within the team. We’re here to help each other, and if we do that the team spirit is going to be great.

“It’s going to be a big one against Ipswich with Doyle and Sayfutdinov – it’s early days, early season, but we’ve got to be as best-prepared as possible and then we’ll take it from there.

“What a race Heat 13 looks, I hope the fans don’t want to miss that because it’s going to be a cracking one.”

Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “We have plenty of riders who know Peterborough well, Jason had a supreme meeting at the back end of last season when we came away with a Super Heat victory.

“We still have some inexperienced Premiership riders and we have to give them time to settle in. But Peterborough is a nice track to go to for your first meeting of any year.”

PETERBOROUGH: Nicki Pedersen, Hans Andersen, Richie Worrall, Benjamin Basso, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Ben Cook, Jordan Jenkins.
IPSWICH: Jason Doyle, Erik Riss, Danny King, Keynan Rew, Emil Sayfutdinov, Danyon Hume, Joe Thompson.

Photo credit: JEFF DAVIES