Glasgow v Newcastle 29th August
Posted 26/08/04

A few old Glasgow favourites return this weekend with the visit of wooden spoon contenders Newcastle. The Diamonds are a very different side to the one that last visited Ashfield in April but Tigers fans will be expecting the result to be similar.

Jason Lyons is undoubtedly Newcastle's main man and top scorer. Always a quality act, he should provide the Glasgow riders with a very stiff challenge.

Less than two years after retiring, Newcastle have brought back former Brough Park favourite Jesper Olsen at number 1. Although apparently looking fit in his return last weekend, he failed to record a match win and will probably struggle.

Kevin Little is not long back from injury and tends to blow hot and cold though has done well at Ashfield before. It will also be interesting to see if Lee Dicken is as poor round the track as he was in Glasgow colours. Hot headed Dane Dickie Juul will no doubt try and mix it a little but his form has not been particularly consistant this year and his outbursts have apparently made him unpopular with his team mates.

It is unclear at the moment who will be filling the reserve berth for the Diamonds following Will Lawsons mysterious absence last week. Lawson obviously knows the circuit very well and has been linked with Glasgow according to rumours on Tyneside. Presumably Newcastle will want to try and take advantage of this. Jamie Robertson will almost certainly fill the other reserve berth and although an undoubted talent he does not particularly enjoy Ashfield.

This meeting is the typical 'no win' situation for the Glasgow team and promotion. A heavy win is expected by the fans and anything less will be regarded as failure. The turmoil amongst the promotion and fans of Newcastle following the acrimonious departure of Lubos Tomicek last week cannot be helping either. A victory of around 20 points should be easily attainable.

Live updates for this meeting can be found here

Expected Line Ups:-

Glasgow:-
1. George Stancl
2. David McAllan
3. Paul Bentley
4. James Grieves
5. Shane Parker
6. James Cockle
7. Eric Carrillo

Newcastle
1. Jesper Olsen
2. Lee Dicken
3. Richard Juul
4. Kevin Little
5. Jason Lyons
6. Jamie Robertson
7. Will Lawson