PETERBOROUGH are on the road yet again on Thursday – this time making the short trip to King’s Lynn for their latest A47 derby clash (7.30pm).
The Crendon Panthers have suffered repeated misfortune with the weather at recent home matches, meaning the match at the Adrian Flux Arena will be their fifth in succession away from home.
That means a busy spell at the East of England Arena awaits over the closing weeks of the season, but in the meantime the clash with the Stars offers arguably their best opportunity to pick up a long-awaited away win.
Panthers went agonisingly close at Wolverhampton last week, stunning the hosts with a 45-45 draw after 15 races before missing out in a Super Heat, and they will look for a similar display in Norfolk.
Their last trip to the AFA saw them go down 54-36 although on that occasion they were without Rising Star Jordan Jenkins at reserve, and they had yet to complete the signing of Vadim Tarasenko.
Richard Lawson made a guest appearance for Panthers in that meeting, but ironically he will be in Stars colours this time as he stands in at No.1 for Artem Laguta, who misses out due to a wrist injury.
A second guest for the home side is Rory Schlein, who is in for long-term absentee Michael Palm Toft, whilst Danish youngster Emil Breum makes his debut.
For Panthers, their opening race duo of Niels-Kristian Iversen and Richie Worrall are both former Stars riders, and Ben Cook worked hard for nine points on his previous visit.
The Australian has been a regular bright spot this season, scoring a very impressive 10+3 at Monmore Green last week before adding 5+1 at Ipswich despite a crash in his final ride.
Cook said: “We’re counting down to the home meetings to come, but it’s been tough for us this season, I can’t lie.
“We’ve not been to the strength we want, which is the story of our season really, but we’ve just got to dig deep and try to get a few wins.”
Following the King’s Lynn match, Panthers are finally due back at the East of England Arena on Monday (July 31) when they host Wolverhampton.
KING’S LYNN: Richard Lawson, Emil Breum, Rory Schlein, Thomas Jorgensen, Nicolai Klindt, Simon Lambert, Anders Rowe. PETERBOROUGH: Niels-Kristian Iversen, Richie Worrall, Benjamin Basso, Ben Cook, Vadim Tarasenko, Hans Andersen, Jordan Jenkins.