The 2007 Conference League champions and Premier League debutants, the Scunthorpe Scorpions are heading to the Norfolk Arena knowing that their home victory against Lynn on Friday night has given them a psychological advantage ahead of the meeting.

The Stars face a solid Scunthorpe team who have a mix of ex-Elite League riders and proven PL riders.

Lynn team boss Rob Lyon gave his verdict: "Scunthorpe have done well for their first season in the Premier League," he said.

"They have a team of racers and that should suit Lynn well, Richard Hall sticks out in mind in particular.

"In the Champion Of Champions challenge against Peterborough a few seasons back he rode really well.

"I think it's fair to say that we are disappointed about losing at their place but that shows they are a stronger team than we anticipated, and I think they will at least give us something to battle against, if not run us close."

During last Wednesday's meeting, Stars co-promoter, Jonathan Chapman, made no secret of his disappointment in the lack of a challenge from last week's visitors, the Somerset Rebels.

However this week he believes Scunthorpe will be far more up for the challenge.

"On Friday night their team were all looking forward to the visit here and said they will get a better result than anyone will be expecting.

"I wish them all the luck and hope our fans get a special treat to make up for last week's disappointment."

Lyon, in an excerpt from today's programme notes, said: "You will not find a better prepared race surface anywhere else in the country and it is mind over matter with a lot of teams.
"Our boys were commenting that last weeks track had started to go slick halfway through the meeting yet away teams come with fear in their minds thinking it will be ten foot deep!"

If the Stars do beat the Scorpions they will become the PL leaders for at least 48 hours.

Club boss Buster Chapman will be a happy man. He said: "Because of the rules in speedway it's always hard to stay competitive year in and year out and to keep on winning trophies.

"This season has probably not been as good as the last three but if we can be up at the top once again that will be a good achievement.

"We might not stay there for long but I believe we can be back up there for the end of the season."

Stars team: 1 Kevin Doolan 9.94, 2 Shaun Tacey 6.75, 3 Tomas Topinka 9.14, 4 Simon Lambert 5.24, 5 Rusty Harrison 6.25, 6 John Oliver 4.48, 7 Kozza Smith 4.31.

Scunthorpe: 1 Richard Hall 6.68, 2 Carl Wilkinson 6.29, 3 Magnus Karlsson 8.16, 4 Viktor Bergström 4.89, 5 Emiliano Sanchez 5.88, 6 Ben Powell 4.17, 7 Byron Bekker 3.51.

• Ex-Lynn rider Emil Kramer will miss Somerset's meeting with Lynn after aggravating a back injury.

The parade is at 7.30pm.