The Staggs Bar Monarchs race Sheffield Tigers home and away this weekend with the Yorkshiremen visiting Armadale on Friday night (tapes-up 7.30pm).
Sheffield were league champions in 2017 then struggled in their defence the following year, but are currently mid-table.
Their star men are former British Champion Danny King and Kyle Howarth, and they also bring back to Armadale Justin Sedgmen (pictured) who started the season in Monarchs’ colours.
Monarchs are missing the injured Cameron Heeps who has a leg injury after crashing while riding for Ipswich on Monday.
This is a blow and with a total of eight teams racing on Friday there is no suitable guest available. Monarchs will use rider replacement with everyone bar Masters eligible for an extra heat.
Alex Harkess, Monarchs’ team manager stressed that Monarchs need to pick up points this weekend as they chase a play-off place.
He said: “I’d like to believe that we will win comprehensively at home. Sheffield have Danny King who is one of the top riders in the league but never really at Armadale, though he is capable.
“Our second strings should do better than theirs, although with Sedgmen coming back will be interesting, and our reserves should do better than their reserves.
“Even without Cameron it should be a victory but going to their place on Sunday is where we have to make an impression.”
Sheffield’s young starlet Drew Kemp is riding in the European Under-19 Championship at Gustrow on Friday so rider replacement will also apply in his case.
STAGGS BAR MONARCHS: Sam Masters, James Sarjeant, Josh Pickering, rider replacement for Cameron Heeps, Ricky Wells (capt.), Connor Coles, William Lawson.
SHEFFIELD WINDOW CENTRE TIGERS: Danny King, rider replacement for Drew Kemp, Justin Sedgmen, Todd Kurtz, Kyle Howarth, Zaine Kennedy, Josh MacDonald
Monarchs race at Sheffield on Sunday in the return fixture.
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