Speedway: Ipswich Witches prepare to take on reigning champions Belle Vue
The Suffolk side won their first league fixture of the season away at Peterborough last month
The Ipswich Witches return to Premiership action this evening as they take on reigning champions Belle Vue at Foxhall.
The Suffolk side won their first league fixture of the season away at Peterborough last month before they began their Knockout Cup campaign at Foxhall last week with a win over Leicester in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
Witches will be without Erik Riss for this fixture with the German serving his mandatory seven-day suspension for missing last Friday’s meeting for Redcar, his Championship club, due to illness.
Riss struggled in last Thursday’s win over Leicester but is hopeful of a return to action for the second leg in the East Midlands on Monday.
Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins spoke about how he's feeling pre-match: “A tough ask becomes harder for us missing Erik. He is a vital part at the top end of our team, so it puts more emphasis on the bottom end to score points.
“Belle Vue had a couple of tough results against Sheffield, but I really wouldn’t read a lot into that. They are the reigning champions and are one of the favourites to win again this season.
"I think they bring a very strong side and pose a dangerous threat to us. We will need to carry on from where we left off last week."