PREVIEW: BELLE VUE v SHEFFIELD (Prem)

BELLE Vue will be the first sporting venue in Manchester to welcome back spectators when the Aces face Sheffield tonight (Monday).

South Stand and Grandstand tickets sold out within 48 hours last week, with only a few East Standing remaining amidst high excitement for the Roses clash which also launches the sport’s new live broadcast deal with Eurosport.

Brady Kurtz, Charles Wright and Rising Star Tom Brennan make their debuts for the home side, whilst the Tigers step up to the Premiership with two of Swindon’s 2019 title-winners, Troy Batchelor and Adam Ellis, in their ranks along with Jack Holder.

Wright, who faces his former club, said: “This will be a big test for us. It’s our first meeting, it’s their first meeting. These are two fairly equal teams on paper so I think it will be an exciting night for the fans.

“The National Speedway Stadium always serves up some of the best racing. It’s a track I like very much, and it suits my style, as it does all of the other lads.

“Of course, we’ll be targeting the win, but there’s already such a buzz around the sport I think whichever way it swings I think everyone is just relieved to finally be getting back to normal.”

Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “I like the balance of our team, it looks good and I know we can give Belle Vue a run for their money.

“It will be good to go out there and race on one of the best tracks in the world and I’d love to go there and pick up an away win in our first meeting in the Premiership, that’s the dream and that’s the aim.”

BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Richie Worrall, Dan Bewley, Steve Worrall, Charles Wright, Tom Brennan, Jye Etheridge.
SHEFFIELD: Troy Batchelor, Kyle Howarth, Adam Ellis, Justin Sedgmen, Jack Holder, James Wright, Josh Bates.