Edinburgh face their busiest weekend so far. After taking on Arena Essex at Armadale, they visit Workington on Saturday and Newcastle on Sunday. Both trips look daunting although both of their hosts are struggling for form so now is probably as good as any time to visit.
Monarchs are defending a nine point advantage at Derwent Park. Having won there twice last season, Edinburgh lost by 51 points to 39 in the Prrmier National Trophy a few weeks back. Since then the injured Barry Campbell has dropped to reserve. This means that a Conference League rider has to be used rather than rider replacement. That day, Ross Brady dropped out through injury after one ride. If he can produce his normal Derwent Park form and Monarchs' reserves can get amongst the points, there is no reason why Edinburgh cannot make a match of it. Glasgow took a 45-45 draw last week and many consider them unlucky not to win. Peter Carr has also topscored when guesting for Hull in a home defeat for the Comets. Workington may have started as hot favourites for the Premier League, but they are looking rather vulnerable at the moment.
Edinburgh will be back at Derwent Park in July in the second round of their defence of the Premier League Cup.
Newcastle appear to have a super strong team on paper. With Bjarne Pedersen joining Jesper Olsen, André Compton, Stuart Swales in a formidable top four, they should not lack heat winners. The Diamonds' bottom three of Grant MacDonald, Darren Pearson, and Rob Grant also looks good. The only problem is that the team are on a long losing streak. They have lost eight of their last nine matches, the odd one out being a home draw against Hull. You have to go back to 1st May for their last win. Two home wins against Berwick and Glasgow are the only rewards in an otherwise dismal start to the season. The team should be capable of taking the Premier League by storm. However, they finished bottom of the Northern qualifying group in the National Trophy, are currently bottom of the Premier League and were put out of the Cup by Stoke a couple of weeks back. Newcastle will be looking to make someone suffer and face Edinburgh at home and away in the next week. They have recently returned to full strength with Jesper Olsen back in the side after injury.
Edinburgh have already beaten Newcastle home and away this year. There have been changes in the track shape at Brough Park that many have seen as losing Newcastle their traditional home advantage. This match will give Edinburgh a chance to make up for their disappointing defeats at Glasgow and Berwick and to re-establish themselves as Premier League contenders.
Monarchs remaining away Premier League matches will be concentrated in tours. They have two Southern tours in July and August. The first is to Stoke, Newport, and Reading and the second is to Exeter, Isle of Wight and Swindon. They also have a Yorkshire mini-tour to Hull and Sheffield in September.