PREVIEW: IPSWICH v BELLE VUE (Prem)

IPSWICH face Belle Vue at Foxhall tonight (Thursday) in an early repeat of last season’s play-off semi-final.

The Aces stunned the Witches with a big away win last September but are seeking to bounce back themselves from a tough start to 2023, including their heavy KO Cup defeat at Wolverhampton on Monday.

But the home side have started well with two wins, and with Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov proving to be a highly successful Heats 13/15 combination.

German racer Erik Riss misses the meeting due to illness, whilst the visitors again bring in ex-Witches rider Anders Rowe to guest for concussion victim Jake Mulford.

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “A tough ask becomes harder for us missing Erik. He is a vital part at the top end of our team, so it puts more emphasis on the bottom end to score points.

“Belle Vue had a couple of tough results against Sheffield, but I really wouldn’t read a lot into that. They are the reigning champions and are one of the favourites to win again this season.

“I think they bring a very strong side and pose a dangerous threat to us. We will need to carry on from where we left off last week.”

Aces youngster Norick Blodorn said: “In the past, we’ve always done well around Ipswich. We’ve kept things close and myself, in the play-offs, I think I scored paid nine so it’s a track that we all like and can produce results at. 

“Obviously the past few weeks have been tough, and lessons have been learned from each meeting and one thing we always say is that anything that came before is irrelevant on the night.

“This is a new day; a new meeting, and we can’t afford to allow previous mistakes to creep into our performance. We’re the reigning champions and we need to start performing like champions.”

IPSWICH: Jason Doyle, Erik Riss r/r, Danny King, Keynan Rew, Emil Sayfutdinov, Danyon Hume, Joe Thompson.
BELLE VUE: Dan Bewley, Norick Blodorn, Tom Brennan, Charles Wright, Brady Kurtz, Jaimon Lidsey, Anders Rowe.