Meetings with Stoke in recent seasons have tended to be entertaining with the odd bit of controversy thrown in. Tomorrow's clash is only the second competitive match of the season for both teams and the first meaningful meeting for the Potters.

Stoke have retained Mogridge, Clews and Kessler from last seasons team to give them a relatively solid look although Mogridge may struggle in a few meetings riding as heat leader. That is unlikely to be at home however where he boasted an average in excess of 9 points last season.

Robbie Kessler is another rider who is very capable at home. Entering his fourth season at Stoke and tenth in British speedway, he will certainly expect to score well against his Glasgow middle order counter parts.

Coming in to join Kessler and Clews is Michael Coles, a rider who had well documented problems last season and who as a result appears to be on an artificially low average. In going for Coles, Stoke have gone for another rider who has a good record round Loomer Road.

The final member of the top 5 is Coles old Exeter team mate from 2 years ago, Mark Lemon. Lemon was undoubtedly one of the best riders in the PL last season and will relish the opportunity to come up against his fellow Australian Shane Parker so early in the season.

At reserve, Stoke have gone for Luke Priest and Barrie Evans, both of whom had spells in the Stoke team last season and have also ridden for the Spitfires so know the track well.

The main difference at Stoke this season will be in the track itself however as they have become the first Premier League side to install an air fence, something that will be a new experience to the majority of the Glasgow team although obviously we hope no one tests it.

Glasgow look to be very exposed in the middle order for this meeting with neither Kauko or Lee being particularly impressive there in the last couple of seasons. David McAllan did score 9+2 riding for Edinburgh at Stoke last season but this was from reserve.

The pressure will be on Shane and Danny to do well against the home track specialist Alan Mogridge and the classy Mark Lemon. In reserve, the Tigers will hope to get the better of Evans and Priest. James Cockle scored well at Stoke in the equivalent fixture last season although he struggled in the league but that was in the middle of his poor run of form.

For those travelling, there are no road problems reported on the way down although there are roadwork's northbound for the journey home on the M6 at Junction 17 and also between J37 and J38 near Kendal.

Admission details and directions to Stoke can be found here.

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