Edinburgh Monarchs v Somerset Rebels

"Break out the cider! Monarchs have the chance to leap into fourth spot in the Premier League if they can take all three points from this Friday's Armadale visitors, the Somerset Dickies Rebels (7.30 start).

But once again they will have to do it without their No.1 rider Kevin Wolbert who outscored everyone by miles in a losing cause at Sheffield. He is replaced by 'Mr 100% effort', James Grieves who was performing similar heroics at the same time at Ipswich, only in his case in a winning cause.

James is in great demand these days and is piling up the points ? and his weekly Armadale outings should stand him in good stead against Somerset's No.1, Travis McGowan. The 30-year-old Australian was one of the main reasons the Rebels made a blistering start to the season until he suffered a broken wrist.

Team captain Matthew Wethers lines up against the talented 20-year-old Swedish rider, Anders Mellgren. In his short UK career so far, Anders has been in and out of the Somerset side almost as many times as James Grieves has been yo-yoing in and out of the Monarchs team this past few weeks.

Andrew Tully returns to his home shale to take on British Under-21 Champion, Joe Haines at No.3. The lad from Bolton is now with his eleventh side in only his fifth speedway season, having ridden for teams in all three leagues. He was recently signed by Rebels as injury replacement for Christian Heffenbrock.

Kalle Katajisto has found a recent run of fine form which has been winning over the Monarchs fans again. On paper he looks to be evenly matched with his opposite number Sam Masters. But beware, Kalle! This 20-year-old Aussie has been riding motorcycles since he was six, so he should be pretty good by now.

Craig Cook has shown some sensational form of late too, and he will need it when he lines up against Rebels second top scorer, 24-year-old Cory Gathercole, second cousin of Leigh Adams. The exciting Australian is now in his third season with Somerset after stepping up from Isle of Wight.

Monarchs latest reserve signing, Tim Webster will continue his Premier League education against the fourth of four and a half Aussies in the Rebels colours, 25-year-old James Holder, brother of Grand Prix star Chris. Injuries have so far restricted this former Isle of Wight rider to a four point average.

Edinburgh's hard charging No.7, Kyle Howarth should be expected to outgun Alex Davies, an Aussie in all but birth, who was a victim of a re-shuffle at Newport. Oh how Somerset wish it was still Dakota North piling up the points from the reserve berth as he was doing in the early matches.

The loss of Heffenbrock and North plus the injury to Travis McGowan has taken much of the sting out of the West Country side but underestimate them at your peril. Edinburgh will start as strong favourites but will have to curb their nagging habit of giving away needless points early on.

Add into the mix the likelihood of very different conditions to last week's midsummer heat wave and unusually slick track surface and you have the makings of another night of unpredictable but always exciting Armadale action. Make sure you don't miss it!

Likely line-ups:

SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: James Grieves (guest), Matthew Wethers (capt.), Andrew Tully, Kalle Katajisto, Craig Cook, Tim Webster, Kyle Howarth.

SOMERSET DICKIES REBELS: Travis McGowan, Anders Mellgren, Joe Haines, Sam Masters, Cory Gathercole, James Holder, Alex Davies.