Edinburgh Monarchs v Scunthorpe Scorpions

Monarchs' Premier League challenge gets off to the most difficult possible start with a nail-biting opening fixture against the holders, Scunthorpe Scorpions whom fans will remember skating effortlessly round a saturated Armadale track towards the end of last season to record a stunning win.

Hopefully track conditions will be much more like the home riders are used to and we can see a much more even contest this time around. Monarchs have been warming up nicely in recent weeks while not firing on all cylinders, so a visiting side with the most solid top five in the Premier League will test them to the limit.

From the top, once Craig Cook got to grips with very difficult conditions last week, he showed the sort of grit and determination that he will need to make it to the top. More of the same will be needed this week when he is faced by 22-year-old Josh Auty from Sheffield who has become one of the most exciting British riders since his first appearance at Armadale in an U-15 Championship.

Monarchs' terrier of a skipper, Derek Sneddon will need all his Armadale know-how to combat his opposite number, 20-year-old Thomas Jorgensen from Denmark, another former Viking tourist who passed 300 points for the Scorpions last season and is destined for greater things.

Theo Pijper has been a powerhouse at No.3 since returning to the blue and gold, so the home fans will be looking for more of the same as he faces another talented young Danish rider, 22-year-old Michael Palm Toft who made an instant impression in his first UK season towards the end of 2011.

Max Fricke impressed everyone last week with glimpses of what is to come from him in the coming years. At least this week his opposite number is only five years older than him, 22-year-old Ashley Birks from Sheffield who only took up speedway when he was Max's age and has since made rapid progress.

The Monarchs missile at No.5, Claus Vissing will love the challenge of facing one of the league's top riders and Armadale specialists, 30-year-old David Howe from Leicester who has ridden most of his career in the Elite League and who had some red-blooded races against Craig Cook on Tuesday.

With such evenly matched top fives, the reserve scores will be crucial, especially since Scunthorpe see this as their Achilles' heel, having lost Gary Irving to unexpected early retirement. So Marcel Helfer and Jozsef Tabaka will be expected to outscore their opposite numbers.

The Scorpions reserves are 17-year-old Josh Bates from Barnsley and 19-year-old Ryan Douglas from Australia who are finding themselves under pressure to score the points that could help Scunthorpe retain the Premier League title this year.

Expect the Scorpions to keep the scores close, so this could come down to a test of nerves. A mistake, and engine failure or a rider having an off night could make all the difference. To help Monarchs come out on top, book your usual spot on the terraces this Friday (7.30). It'll be a cracker!

Likely line-ups:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Craig Cook, Derek Sneddon (capt.), Theo Pijper, Max Fricke, Claus Vissing, Marcel Helfer, Jozsef Tabaka.

SCUNTHORPE HENDERSON’S INSURANCE SCORPIONS: Josh Auty, Thomas Jorgensen, Michael Palm Toft, Ashley Birks, David Howe (capt.), Josh Bates, Ryan Douglas.