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Nicholls heads back to Brandon on Monday

Coventry got off to a terrific start last year and if they can reproduce that again then the Bees will be tough to catch!

Kelvin Tatum
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Coventry v Eastbourne
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Skysports' speedway expert Kevlin Tatum looks ahead to Monday's opening live meeting.

Watch Coventry take on Eastbourne live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30 on Monday

Coventry are the team to beat, not only because they are the Elite League reigning champions but also because even after the reduction in averages, they still have a good side.

With Chris Harris and Rory Schlein being retained from last year, along with Billy Janniro and Oliver Allen, they've still got the backbone of last year's championship winning side.

Even with the dramatic reduction in point limit, the Bees have managed to retain a lot of riders from last year so that continuity will certainly pay dividends I'm sure.

Scott Nicholls is a quality performer and it was a surprise that he left Coventry, but with this new set-up, when you look at the comparative team strengths, I think things have come together quite nicely for them.

Simon Stead coming in is a plus for the Bees. He's very good at Brandon Stadium and if he can pick up his performances away from home, then he can contribute further to Coventry who I think are a good outfit once again this season.

Coventry are definitely a play-off/top four team, if not a top two team.

There are several riders on that team that know each other inside-out and that will pay dividends early on while other teams will take time to settle down and get to each other.

Other teams may catch up once they get familiar with each rider, but by that time it may be too late.

Coventry got off to a terrific start last year and if they can reproduce that again then the Bees will be tough to catch!

Eagles

It's such a shame, not only for Eastbourne but for the Elite League as a whole, that Nicki Pedersen won't be riding this year.

But the Eagles have an exciting, predominantly British line-up with Nicholls, Richardson, Lewis Bridger and Edward Kennett, who has returned to the Eagles having had a year on loan with the Poole Pirates.

If that top four click then they will be a match for anybody, certainly at home I expect them to be extremely difficult to beat and away from home, which will be crucial this year due to the rule changes meaning three points for a win, the experience of Nicholls and Richardson will hold them in good stead and I see no reason why they cannot push teams all the way on their travels.

It's a brave move by the BSPA and I hope very much that it works. There are probably four or five teams that do stick out at this early stage, but there is the chance that the League will be more competitive and I would like to think that this opening fixture will be indicative of that.

You can never guarantee anything in sport but the BSPA's rule changes are a brave move and I really hope it works out.

All of a sudden the start of the Elite League is upon us even though we're starting slightly later than we have in previous seasons, but I'm really up for it and I hope that we have a good year.

I think it went slightly flat towards the end of last season but I know that everybody involved is very keen to see this year being a success and with a bit of good fortune with the weather, there should be no reason why it can't be.

Kelvin's call

I will go for a home win purely because at this early stage in the season I just think that Coventry will just have the heads up on one or two teams, simply because the riders know each other well.

Home advantage is huge in Elite League Speedway. We see it time and time again where teams struggle away from home and this year in particular - with three points for an away win - a win on the road will be vital for your championship chances.

I would think that Team Manager's will be drumming it into their riders to really fire themselves up to try and win away from home. That's why this opening fixture is an exciting one because with Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson in the Eastbourne Eagles set-up - both having ridden for the Coventry Bees - they have a good line-up and they know Brandon very well, so it's an opportunity for them to do well there.

I expect Eastbourne Eagles to push 'em hard but I believe the Bees will win on Monday night.