Birmingham v Poole

The Sky Sports camera's head to the Midlands tomorrow for the first live televised Speedway meeting of 2011 which see's the Birmingham Brummies take on Poole Pirates.

Birmingham have moved up to the Elite League this year, a place they haven't been since 1983 so this is a big meeting for them. Spearheading the Brummies is Pole Krzysztof Kasprzak who had a great season last year winning the title with Coventry, joining him as heat leader is Danny King who made the switch to Birmingham after Ipswich opted to drop down to the Premier league and will be a great back up to KK. Daniel Nermark makes a return to British Speedway after missing out last year. Like King, Ales Dryml also lost out on his place at Ipswich after having a good season with them but I think this year will be the same with the Brummies. The last place in the top 5 goes to 2 doubling uppers, Ben Barker and Rene Bach who are both capable of being full time elite league riders. Their reserves are Claus Vissing and Kevin Wolbert/James Wright, however Birmingham have already been dealt a blow with Claus Vissing out injured before the season properly started, this means they have been using their number 8 Theo Pjiper whilst Vissing recovers, as Theo is unavailable tomorrow, Dakota North will step in. Birmingham haven't had the most positive start to their season losing 3 out of their 4 first meetings but they'll be hoping they can bounce back from that.

Their opponents Poole finished top of the table by 20 points last year but lost out to Coventry in the grand final (sorry to remind Poole fans). This season they'll be hoping to go one better but they havn't got off to the best start after Darcy Ward broke his shoulder and wrist in a motorcross accident and they've had to replace Rafal Dobrucki due to Poland's ban on the new silencers but they've brought in Jason Doyle who I think can do a solid job for them. The top 2 Aussie duo of Chris Holder and Davey Watt will definitely be one of the strongest in the league. The pirates have signed Russian Renat Gafurov and so far he has shown signs that it was worth going through all the work permits and english tests to get him there! Young Swedish prospect Dennis Andersson makes his Elite League debut tomorrow and after seeing him race at Eastbourne last week, he's one to watch! Such a talent with potential. Kyle newman joins him at reserve and after riding at Birmingham last year it could prove beneficial for Poole. I think the pirates have strength in depth to secure a sneaky away win.

Team Line Ups:

Birmingham

1. Krzysztof Kasprzak

2. Ales Dryml

3. Ben Barker

4. Danny King

5. Daniel Nermark

6. Dakota North

7. Kevin Wolbert

One to Watch: Ben Barker

Poole

1. Chris Holder

2. Renat Gafurov

3. Jason Doyle.

4. R/R for Ward

5. Davey Watt

6. Dennis Andersson

7. Kyle Newman

One to watch: Dennis Andersson

Prediction: 43-47