Coventry and Peterborough have both had disappointing seasons so far and will need something from Monday's Sky Live Elite League encounter at Brandon Stadium.
The Bees are reigning champions but they've had a difficult year and have recently had their captain Edward Kennett banned until next season for using an illegal silencer. That's been quite a dramatic turn of events and they are finding it tough right now.
Banned: Coventry will be without suspended captain Edward Kennett (Pic:Jeff Davies)
They've also had injury problems, which haven't helped. They are currently in seventh spot, outside of the play-off positions, and will find it very tough to retain their title this year. To a degree events are conspiring against them.
Peterborough Panthers are struggling, too. Both teams were almost frozen out of the Elite League at beginning of the year before a last minute turn around and they both seem to be suffering a hangover from that.
It's a vital match for both teams. If they've got any aspirations of making the play-offs they need to do well on Monday night.
Kelvin Tatum
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Coventry v Peterborough
7.30pm, Mon, Sky Sports HD3
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Peterborough got beaten last Monday and lost at Poole on Wednesday night - they're not picking up any points on the road. Although they have got a lot of matches in hand and could mathematically get there, this meeting is going to be critical.
Vital
It's a vital match for both teams. If they've got any aspirations of making the play-offs they need to do well on Monday night.
Coventry have to pick up all three league points and Peterborough, at the very least, need to lose by less than seven points so they pick up a point.
With such pressure on both teams to deliver they'll be looking to their main men to deliver.
Coventry have just signed a young Polish rider called Piotr Pawlicki who is the younger brother of Przemyslaw, who also rides for the Bees. He'll probably be reserve, but the Bees will be keeping their fingers crossed Russian Emil Sayfutdinov is back and flying high on Monday. He needs to be on top form.
Meanwhile, Peterborough have three-time world champion Nicki Pederson to call on. He's been pretty good this year but they're going to need him big time on Monday.
Kelvin's Call
Peterborough's form away from home has been poor and I expect the home team to pick up the points. I don't think it will be a comfortable win for Coventry - they've had a traumatic period too - but I think they will scrape home.
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