Edinburgh Monarchs v Scunthorpe Scorpions

The only thing this match is likely to be remembered for is the admirable way that Scunthorpe’s young riders went about their business.

From heat two onwards they controlled the match and a 15-point winning margin in no way flattered them. They had a huge advantage at reserve where the home pair were totally at sea – almost literally.

It was another dismally wet Friday, drizzling throughout with the surface muddy from the off. The prospect of a double header, with increased admission, in these conditions had clearly kept many at home.

The injuries Edinburgh have suffered to Cook and Tabaka, both maximum scorers in the last home match, have crippled their side. But even had these two been fit it’s hard to see how the Scorpions could have been stopped in conditions they coped far better with.

When you add in the fact that Andrew Tully had had his Armadale bike stolen the previous night you can see why the home side would like to erase this one from their memory.

There were no complaints over the solid contribution of James Grieves, always a reliable guest, and Matthew Wethers showed the throttle control to do well. He rode a successful heat 9 TR, but a brave bid by Theo Pijper to turn that into an 8-1 ended with him face down in the mud.

It was a toss-up which visitor was the most impressive. Ashley Birks had two good meetings here last year but did even better this time, looking completely at home. Michael Palm Toft far exceeded his previous Armadale performances and won his first three heats, and Thomas Jorgensen recovered from engine problems in his first two rides to also excel.

These three actually managed to slightly upstage Josh Auty, who rode quite conservatively by his standards but was still in double figures.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Scunthorpe Scorpions followed by Redcar Bears

In a speedway season like no other, Edinburgh face a Friday night the likes of which they have never faced before with the Premier League double header visit of both Scunthorpe and Redcar coinciding with the simultaneous loss to injury of the two most potent Monarchs riders.

And first up, thanks to speedway's madcap guest rules, an already very strong Scorpions side are able to replace David Howe with Kevin Wolbert, an Elite League rider who spent two seasons mastering the Armadale track, whereas James Grieves has the unenviable task of trying to fill in for Monarchs 15-point champion, Craig Cook.

Derek Sneddon faces one of the form riders of the Premier League at No.2, Nick Morris, who was instrumental in Glasgow's 2011 Premier League success. Theo Pijper lines up opposite a very talented young Danish rider Thomas Jorgensen at No.3.

Fresh from his testimonial success, Matthew Wethers takes on a young, up-and-coming British prospect from Sheffield, Ashley Birks at No.4. Andrew Tully has a big task as usual at No.5, this time trying to subdue another exciting Yorkshire rider with international ambitions, Josh Awty.

The Czech Republic rider with a great family pedigree in speedway, Filip Sitera, guests in blue and gold at No.6 for Jozsef Tabaka where he faces another young Danish rider, Michael Palm Toft in his first full UK season. And finally at No.7, a lot will be expected of Marcel Helfer against Gary Irving from Carlisle.

This will be a close one and the five fit regular Monarchs will really have to step up to the plate if they are to hold on to that precious unbeaten home record. The performance of the reserves looks to be a more important area than usual which could swing the result one way or the other.

In the second match, Monarchs will be out for revenge for their unexpected home loss to Redcar that effectively ended their interest in the League Cup. James Grieves won't find life any easier this time around as he faces the formidable Danish rider with the Elite League pedigree, Ulrich Oostergaard.

There's a real mouth-watering match-up at No.2 where Derek Sneddon pits his individual style against another rider with an even more trademark exciting style of his own, Carl Wilkinson. Theo Pijper lines up at No.3 this time opposite the experienced Aussie Kevin Doolan who has been a bit below his best this season.

The battle of the skippers is at No.4 where Matthew Wethers will have to be at his best against another former Monarch and Armadale track expert, Aaron Summers. Andrew Tully will look to pile up the points from No.5 when he lines up against the unpredictable Czech Republic star, Matej Kus.

Edinburgh's guest at No.6, Filip Sitera this time faces another ex-Monarch with a point to prove, Max Dilger, who never hit the heights in the blue and gold. As for Marcel Helfer, he faces young New Zealander Jade Mudgway who has been a bit of a speedway nomad in recent times.

On paper, this looks to be the marginally easier of the two matches. However, Monarchs riders and machines will be tested to the limit thanks to this ridiculously rain-sodden season. Redcar will be well up for this one and a lot might depend on how the first match turns out.

One thing's for sure, your support will be needed more than ever and there's a 30-heat feast of Premier League action in prospect for those who love their speedway. The action will be brisk in order to fit two meetings into the available time. Remember, tapes up sharp at 7.00.

Likely line-ups.

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: James Grieves (guest), Derek Sneddon, Theo Pijper, Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Filip Sitera (guest), Marcel Helfer.

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS: Kevin Wolbert (guest), Nick Morris, Thomas Jorgensen, Ashley Birks, Josh Auty, Michael Palm Toft, Gary Irving.

REDCAR BEARS: Ulrich Ostergaard, Carl Wilkinson, Kevin Doolan, Aaron Summers (capt.), Matej Kus, Max Dilger, Jade Mudgway.