Playoff Preview: Swindon Robins v Wolverhampton Wolves

SWINDON ROBINS will be attempting to put one foot in the Premiership Grand Final tonight as they welcome the Wolverhampton Wolves to the Abbey Stadium in the playoff semi-final first-leg. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker previews the big night of British speedway action that lies ahead.

25 Premiership meetings rode, 1,156 points scored, 14 victories, 10 losses, 1 draw, and the Swindon Robins title hopes all come down to tonight as they host the Wolverhampton Wolves in the first-leg of the Premiership playoff semi-final. 

A disappointing 2018 season saw Rossiter’s Robins fall short of the playoffs, however this season Swindon have been nothing short of sensational as they attempt to win their third league title in eight years. 

Having already lifted silverware this year with victory in the Premiership Supporters Cup last month, Swindon will be attempting to keep their unbeaten run at the Abbey Stadium intact tonight as the Blunsdon-based outfit look to record a big points victory over Wolverhampton ahead of Monday’s second-leg at Monmore Green. 

Facing each other four times this season already, the honours between the two sides are split even with both clubs winning each of their respective home meetings. However, if Swindon can replicate the same form as they did in July’s 14-point victory over Peter Adams’ side, then they will be confident of reaching the Premiership Grand Final where the Ipswich Witches await. 

Previous results, however, count for very little when it comes to the playoffs, one look at Poole’s crushing defeat to Ipswich shows this, but in a season full of twists, turns, and full-throttle action, Swindon will be backing themselves for title glory this season. 

A quick analysis of the two teams sees Swindon slightly edge their Midlands-based competitors with Robins Captain Jason Doyle, Troy Batchelor, and Rasmus Jensen all arguably outclassing their opposition numbers this season. 

However close competition between Swindon’s Tobiasz Musielak and Adam Ellis against Wolverhampton’s Rory Schlein and Sam Masters will undoubtedly make this a difficult affair for both sets of riders. 

Former Swindon skipper Nick Morris will mark his return to the Abbey for only the second time this season, and with a place in the grand final at stake, Swindon fans will be hoping the Australian-born racer will once again struggle with the new Abbey track. 

The battle of where the outcome of the meeting is most likely to be dictated however is based on the performances of either sides reserves. Strong ends to the season have seen both Swindon’s Ellis Perks and Claus Vissing score well with each proving their worth to team manager Alun Rossiter as Swindon stormed into the playoffs. 

However, a staunch test awaits with both Ryan Douglas and Luke Becker providing strength in the reserve spaces for Wolverhampton this season with the former having scored 9+1 on his last visit to Blunsdon. 

Swindon have relied on their ability to come on strong in the second-half of meetings to win big races this season. But with a daunting trip to Monmore Green awaiting they must fire in the big points from the get-go as they attempt to establish a significant aggregate scoreline ahead of the ties second-leg.

Alun Rossiter has been in this situation and got the title-winning t-shirt to prove it but he will not underestimate the challenge standing in his way as Swindon attempt to reach yet another grand final. 

Wolverhampton have arguably been the Robins hardest challenge to date this season but in front of a packed home crowd, Swindon will be confident in their abilities and know that this is perhaps the best chance they will have of lifting a third league title.

Anything can happen in playoff speedway but expect Swindon to show their class tonight with a big performance. 

Prediction: 50-40