PREVIEW: SCUNTHORPE v BIRMINGHAM (Cab Direct Champ)

SCUNTHORPE bid to boost their play-off prospects when they host Birmingham at the Eddie Wright Raceway tonight (Friday).

The Scorpions are fourth in the Cab Direct Championship table and have an eight-point advantage over the Brummies who are still seeking a top six finish themselves.

The hosts bring in Zach Cook to guest for the injured Michael Palm Toft whilst Richard Lawson guests for the visitors in place of the suspended Nick Morris.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We’ve won all four matches against Brummies so far, but there can be no room for complacency against a side that has Poole’s Richard Lawson guesting at No.1, recent signing Troy Batchelor at No.3 and Justin Sedgmen completing a very solid heat leader trio.

“We’re expecting a much stiffer test from Birmingham this time, and we’ll treat them with respect, while our main objective will be to win the meeting and our second objective will be to build up a lead to take to Perry Barr on August 23 so that we are in command of the aggregate point.”

Brummies boss Stewart Dickson said: “We know Scunthorpe are traditionally a very dominant team at home and we know that they’ve been in very good form on their track once again this year.

“So we know it’s another big ask, but again we go there with the mindset that we can cause them some bother because our riders are keen to put in an improved display all-round after a disappointing couple of home results.

“Of course I’d love us to go there and pinch a win – but if we can’t do that then it’s important we keep the bigger picture in mind.”

SCUNTHORPE: Ryan Douglas, Drew Kemp, Simon Lambert, Zach Cook, Jake Allen, Nathan Ablitt, Connor Mountain.
BIRMINGHAM: Richard Lawson, Stefan Nielsen, Troy Batchelor, Paul Starke, Justin Sedgmen, Sam Hagon, Alfie Bowtell.

*LIVE STREAMING: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk