PREVIEW: EDINBURGH v SCUNTHORPE (CAB DIRECT CHAMP)

EDINBURGH and Scunthorpe meet at Armadale tonight (Friday) in a clash of teams currently second and third in the Cab Direct Championship table.

The Monarchs are in third place courtesy of two home wins out of two, whilst the Scorpions are one point better off as their successes on their own track were added to by a dramatic win at Redcar recently, whilst a narrow defeat at Workington also underlined their potential.

Edinburgh bring in Nick Morris to guest for Paco Castagna who is sidelined with thumb damage, whilst Scunthorpe operate rider replacement for the injured Dan Gilkes, and Dayle Wood steps in at reserve as Ryan Ingram is taking an exam at school.

The meeting also sees the return to Armadale of long-time Monarchs racer Josh Pickering, now No.1 for the Scorpions, and fellow visitor Michael Palm Toft also had a spell in Edinburgh colours last season.

Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “Obviously Josh has been scoring maximums or very close to it, which gives them a good start, but that doesn’t win matches on its own.

“You have to have other people performing as well, and obviously they’ve been doing very well. However, it’s a match I am expecting us to do well in.

“Josh coming back is no different from Sam Masters coming back. We know they are capable of scoring loads of points, but we’ve just got to make sure we don’t give too many points to the others and also take some points from him!”

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Our lads put in two terrific performances at Redcar and Workington that have really set up our season nicely.

“We won’t rest on our laurels, and we’re looking for another good away result at Edinburgh.”

EDINBURGH: Dan Thompson, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Nick Morris, Kye Thomson, Mitchell Cluff, Jordy Loftus.

SCUNTHORPE: Josh Pickering, Connor Mountain, Luke Harrison, Dan Gilkes R/R, Michael Palm Toft, Dayle Wood, Nathan Ablitt.

SCB Referee: Graeme Hunter

Live Streaming: https://www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk/emtv

Live Updates: https://britishspeedway.co.uk/live/