There was a major boost for Monarchs' hopes in the return in the Scottish Masters when Ben Shields was declared fit to ride. Shields was taken to hospital after falling in the second half at Armadale on Friday. While injuries were detected these proved to be old ones and he will line up at Ashfield on Sunday.
Unfortunately Peter Carr is not in a position to ride although his injuries are improving day by day and he could well be fit for Friday's fixture against Berwick. Adrian Rymel of Berwick will replace Peter for the match at Ashfield.
Monarchs go into the match 16 points ahead from the Armadale leg. Under the 13-heat format this lead should not be difficult to defend if Rymel can get amongst the points and the Monarchs' bottom end can do their bit.
It is debatable if Monarchs can go one better and win at Ashfield. This will not be easy without Carr who has scored two 15-point maximums at Ashfield this season. Dalle Andersson will also be missed although his replacement Rory Schlein has had some decent rides at Ashfield this season substituting for Glasgow. The pressure will be on Robert Eriksson and Jan Andersen to win races in the absence of Carr and Andersson. It will be Blair Scott's last chance to impress before he departs for Slovenia.
Henning Bager will again line up for Glasgow after his impressive show at Armadale. This could lead to Bager's inclusion in the Glasgow team from the start of next month. Glasgow short-term loanees Derek Sneddon and Simon Cartwright will be anxious to impress and to find themselves permanent team places.
Every match between Edinburgh and Glasgow at Ashield has ended in a close result and most have been settled in last heat encounters. One point winning margins are not unknown in this fixture. Monarchs have won a few matches at Ashfield. Most notable was their Premier Trophy win in 1999 when Peter Carr scored only a single point from four rides.
A repeat performance on Sunday would not go amiss.