PREVIEW: SWINDON ROBINS v RYE HOUSE ROCKETS

Swindon Robins will look to add to their ever-building trophy cabinet tonight, as they aim to progress to the next round of this season’s Knockout Cup facing Rye House at the Abbey Stadium. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker previews the meeting ahead of this evening's clash.

After being eliminated from last year’s tournament at the semi-final stage following defeat to the eventual winners Belle Vue, the Swindon Robins will be hoping to finally get their hands on the silverware that has eluded them for so long.

A heated affair see’s Rye House travel to the Abbey Stadium looking to cause an upset, and with a solid riding order capable of scoring points, including Chris Harris, Scott Nicholls, and Krzysztof Kasprzak, the Hertfordshire based club will be hoping to keep the scores tight prior to the second-leg of action on Wednesday evening.

Confidence will be high in the Swindon camp after a dominant league victory over Wolverhampton in their last outing saw the Robins go top of the Premiership table. And when analysing the matchups between the sides, Alun Rossiter’s men should be hopeful of progressing to the next round of the tournament.

Having beaten the visitors both home and away in the cup competition last season, another meeting will provide Rye House the opportunity of revenge. But an unbeaten home record at the Abbey Stadium this season makes Swindon strong favourites for the fixture.

When comparing the sides, Swindon should have the strength in depth to comfortably progress past Rye House. But Jack Smith in reserve will be a rider that the travelling side will look to target after the newcomer has endured a difficult start to his Swindon career.

Many predict an easy victory for the Swindon Robins and it would be hard to see Rye House causing an upset. But this is speedway and anything can happen.

Prediction: Swindon win.