IPSWICH Evening Star Witches can put more pressure on the Elite League leaders with a victory at Coventry today (MON) (start 4.30pm).Having looked as though they have done enough to secure a top four finish, the Witches are now chasing to overtake either Poole or Lakeside to give themselves crucial home advantage in the one-off semi-final play-off.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Evening Star Witches can put more pressure on the Elite League leaders with a victory at Coventry today (MON) (start 4.30pm).

Having looked as though they have done enough to secure a top four finish, the Witches are now chasing to overtake either Poole or Lakeside to give themselves crucial home advantage in the one-off semi-final play-off.

And to this end three Bank Holiday points at Brandon would be just what the doctor ordered.

Rory Schlein will have a vital role to play. He was a member of the Coventry side that won the title last year, and he may well be secretly smarting at being dropped by the Bees following the signing earlier this month of former Witch Hans Andersen.

“Rory will know all about set-ups around Coventry this season,” said Ipswich team manager Pete Simons.

“We will be going to him for advice, and if he has something to prove then that would be nice.”

Ipswich will be at full strength and seeking to improve on their previous trip to Brandon this year when they were well beaten 52-37.

“We went to Eastbourne last Saturday and showed no fear,” added Simmons. “We will be doing the same today, and looking for the same result.”

Witches skipper Steve Johnston also won the championship with Coventry in 2007, and Simmons went on: “Steve is proving a trump card at that position, and he has a vital role to play again today.”

Coventry are not free from relegation play-off worries and they have lost four home league meetings. But in Andersen and Chris Harris they have two international class riders who won the Elite League Best Pairs last week - and they will be fired up to put on a show in a contest that is being shown live of Sky Sports TV.

Ipswich have no home meeting this week, and they will return to the track next Monday when they visit Wolverhampton.

Today's line-ups

Coventry: H Andersen, O Allen, C Harris, B Janniro, S Stead, F Sitera, R Kessler.

Ipswich: P Swiderski, T Kroner, J Hampel, R Miskowiak, R Schlein, S Johnston, C Schramm.