SCUNTHORPE Scorpions are the latest side to bid for a place in the congested Badlands that form the Cab Direct Championship play-off zone.
With Poole Pirates racing clear at the top and Glasgow favourites to fill the second slot, the next five teams are currently separated by just three points.
Scunthorpe, who entertain Plymouth Gladiators at the Eddie Wright Raceway in front of the BSN cameras tonight are currently sixth – but are just a point behind fourth-placed Berwick.
Having won 47-42 at The Coliseum on Saturday courtesy of an incredible 5-0 in heat 15, the Scorpions set their sights not only on victory but also the aggregate bonus tonight, three points which would catapult them above Oxford into third and just one behind the Tigers.
And with Edinburgh entertaining Redcar at Armadale it is likely to be all-change in the standings come 9.30pm.
But in their way is a Gladiators’ side led by the formidable figure of Nicolai Klindt whose 11-year-old Lincolnshire track record dates back to his spell at the top of the Scunthorpe order.
Plymouth are due to use rider-replacement for Ben Barker who is still recovering after the removal of his appendix and they will be hoping that new signing, Czech Republic GP Daniel Klima proves to be a trump card at reserve alongside Australian Mitchell Cluff, the South Australian champion beginning to get among the points after a tough start to his British career.
Joe Thompson is another who has ridden for the Scorpions in the past but the odds are very much in favour of the home side although they did lose to Oxford last time out at the EWR and have also dropped a point at home to Glasgow this season.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey admitted: “We need to start finding consistency, but we are hanging in there and the play-offs are still very much within reach.
“We needed the result at Plymouth last weekend. It has given us a lifeline but we need to finish the job we started in Devon and complete the double over the Gladiators.
“We certainly won’t under-estimate them but know that if we fire on all cylinders, we can claim three points.”
Zaine Kennedy, Jake Allen and Steve Worrall formed a potent spearhead for the Scorpions at Plymouth while Declan Kennedy and Luke Harrison have scored freely on home shale.
The live broadcast begins at 7pm with racing underway at 7.30pm. This meeting is included in the Total Season and Championship Season passes or can be bought on a pay-to-view basis here.
Scunthorpe: Steve Worrall, Simon Lambert, Declan Kennedy, Connor Mountain, Jake Allen, Luke Harrison, Zaine Kennedy.
Plymouth: Nicolai Klindt, Alfie Bowtell, Ben Barker R/R, Joe Thompson, Lasse Fredriksen, Mitchell Cluff, Daniel Klima.
Stream live from 7pm here
Words by George Dodds.
Images by Taylor Lanning.