Premiership 2025 Predictions

[Pauldoveyspeedway]

14 minutes ago, 1 valve said:

You are correct that Lawson has an higher average than the no. three's at Ipswich & The Aces....but well off their respective top two riders who he will meet in three of his four programmed rides...plus heat 15!

Similarly, ten points maybe possible in some meetings, but they have six riders who could also score six point each....However, they will always have a strong number six which may help matters.
Overall, whilst its good to see the Stars having a more reliable look about them than in 2024 a play off place may be just beyond their reach...but will cause one or two upsets. 

Got a few riders prone  to injuries..So that may make  a difference...Solid side  tho ...

[Col]

16 hours ago, GiveusaB said:

Out of the top 4 teams from last season, Ipswich are the only ones that have strengthened imo.... so it's Ipswich v BV final.... Ipswich to win!

Swapped Rew for Brennan is strengthening in a way, Brennan is a better rider currently but Rew has more improvement potential.

[Arch Stanton]

6 hours ago, Col said:

Swapped Rew for Brennan is strengthening in a way, Brennan is a better rider currently but Rew has more improvement potential.

It’s strengthening in EVERY way lets not try and play it down. 

Edited 8 hours ago by Arch Stanton

[ouch]

On 12/1/2024 at 7:32 AM, GiveusaB said:

Out of the top 4 teams from last season, Ipswich are the only ones that have strengthened imo.... so it's Ipswich v BV final.... Ipswich to win!

The witches management were no doubt aware strengthening was needed. When comparing the teams ‘24 against ‘23 averages there was a distinct drop and you’re not going to win trophies with a falling team average. Injuries somewhat masked the inevitable failings of a side that would have struggled to maintain a potent challenge for silverware.
As with previous seasons they have Hawkins in charge and the witches faithful have been very vocal about his obvious lack in getting the best from the team and directing them to the ultimate goal. Will they pull defeat from the jaws of victory as has been their modus operandi of late? I hope so. 

 

https://britishspeedway.co.uk/2024-rider-statistics/

https://britishspeedway.co.uk/2023-rider-statistics/

https://ipswichwitches.co/team_member/ritchie-hawkins/

https://britishspeedway.co.uk/event/sheffield-tigers-v-ipswich-witches-5/

https://britishspeedway.co.uk/24results/leicester_12.09.24_res.pdf

 

Edited 6 hours ago by ouch

[GiveusaB]

Having said that re: the strengthening?

IF Ipswich hadn't suffered the injuries that they did last season, they most likely would have won the title/play-offs...

So, in essence, they may not needed to have strengthened....

 

[Arch Stanton]

22 minutes ago, GiveusaB said:

Having said that re: the strengthening?

IF Ipswich hadn't suffered the injuries that they did last season, they most likely would have won the title/play-offs...

So, in essence, they may not needed to have strengthened....

 

We’ll never know the ultimate result, what we can say with more certainty is that without the injuries the team was finishing top of the table. There is little doubt about that. So with Ipswich looking even stronger next year, and the two closest rivals both looking weaker, it doesn’t take a genius to work out Ipswich will be clear favourites. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll win the title though, obviously. 
 

The “strengthening” thing is actually irrelevant. No rider that rode for any team has a right or obligation to remain in that team the following year. When one season finishes, the slate is wiped clean. There is then an agreement for all clubs to build a team of seven riders up to and including an agreed points limit. 
 

Belle Vue, Sheffield, Lynn, Oxford, Birmingham and Leicester all build to exactly the same points limit as Ipswich. If their eventual teams end up not looking as strong as Ipswich, then that’s their problem. 

[szkocjasid]

34 minutes ago, ouch said:

The witches management were no doubt aware strengthening was needed. When comparing the teams ‘24 against ‘23 averages there was a distinct drop and you’re not going to win trophies with a falling team average. Injuries somewhat masked the inevitable failings of a side that would have struggled to maintain a potent challenge for silverware.
As with previous seasons they have Hawkins in charge and the witches faithful have been very vocal about his obvious lack in getting the best from the team and directing them to the ultimate goal. Will they pull defeat from the jaws of victory as has been their modus operandi of late? I hope so. 

 

https://britishspeedway.co.uk/2024-rider-statistics/

https://britishspeedway.co.uk/2023-rider-statistics/

https://ipswichwitches.co/team_member/ritchie-hawkins/

https://britishspeedway.co.uk/event/sheffield-tigers-v-ipswich-witches-5/

https://britishspeedway.co.uk/24results/leicester_12.09.24_res.pdf

 

I'll completely disagree that the Ipswich team needed strengthening, they were he best team by far (till injuries came in).

Obviously they want to put out the best team they can to improve their chances of winning the league, so naturally looked to strengthen up.

While it seems a surprise a successful team could drop their averages, that could be expected more due to the high points limit. Teams should average out at 42, teams are really running at 43 (40+RS) so teams should end up with lower averages (on the whole).

[Aries]

Are people seriously suggesting that because Ipswich were the best team this season (when fully fit) they shouldn’t bother building up to the points limit? LOL. 

Of course fans of other clubs would say that. So Brennan is available to replace a reserve and you say “nah we don’t need to” and build nearly a point under the limit? 😂😂😂 

[Daniel Smith]

9 minutes ago, Aries said:

Are people seriously suggesting that because Ipswich were the best team this season (when fully fit) they shouldn’t bother building up to the points limit? LOL. 

Of course fans of other clubs would say that. So Brennan is available to replace a reserve and you say “nah we don’t need to” and build nearly a point under the limit? 😂😂😂 

Don't think sane fans are suggesting that at all. There just seems to be a couple of delusional Belle Vue fans on how good there team is & was last season. They can't cope with how very very lucky they were in 2023 & had to downgrade for this year.

All teams stay fit (which is impossible) the league table for 2025 is

1. Ipswich

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2. Belle Vue

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3/4/5. King's Lynn/Leicester/Sheffield 

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6/7. Birmingham/Oxford

Edited 5 hours ago by Daniel Smith

[Gambo95]

1 minute ago, Daniel Smith said:

Don't think sane fans are suggesting that at all. There just seems to be a couple of delusional Belle Vue fans on how good there team is & was last season. They can't cope with how very very lucky they were in 2023 & had to downgrade for this year.

All teams stay fit (which is impossible) the league table for 2025 is

1. Ipswich

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Belle Vue

 

 

3/4/5. King's Lynn/Leicester/Sheffield 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6/7. Birmingham/Oxford

Belle Vue wouldn't have been in the final this year if there were no injuries to other teams top riders (could be argued).

If Sheffield had Tai then they would have more than likely won over the 2 legs.  Belle Vue weren't as good when Brady was missing either so that would be a valid argument.

Same could be said about Jason and Emil missing.

[AceBelle]

2 minutes ago, Gambo95 said:

Belle Vue wouldn't have been in the final this year if there were no injuries to other teams top riders (could be argued).

If Sheffield had Tai then they would have more than likely won over the 2 legs.  Belle Vue weren't as good when Brady was missing either so that would be a valid argument.

Same could be said about Jason and Emil missing.

if my had Aunties balls etc 🤣

[AceBelle]

13 minutes ago, Daniel Smith said:

Don't think sane fans are suggesting that at all. There just seems to be a couple of delusional Belle Vue fans on how good there team is & was last season. They can't cope with how very very lucky they were in 2023 & had to downgrade for this year.

All teams stay fit (which is impossible) the league table for 2025 is

1. Ipswich

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V

V

V

V

v

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V

V

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2. Belle Vue

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3/4/5. King's Lynn/Leicester/Sheffield 

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6/7. Birmingham/Oxford

since when as finishing top the league wins it ?????? and that includes that very  lucky season whe Aces finished top 

Edited 5 hours ago by AceBelle

[Aries]

18 minutes ago, Daniel Smith said:

Don't think sane fans are suggesting that at all. There just seems to be a couple of delusional Belle Vue fans on how good there team is & was last season. They can't cope with how very very lucky they were in 2023 & had to downgrade for this year.

All teams stay fit (which is impossible) the league table for 2025 is

1. Ipswich

V

V

V

V

V

v

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

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2. Belle Vue

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V

V

V

3/4/5. King's Lynn/Leicester/Sheffield 

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V

V

V

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V

V

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V

6/7. Birmingham/Oxford

It was Bert and Ernie from Manchester that I was referring to. Generally a decent bunch on here the Belle Vue fans, let down by those two clowns. They must be embarrassed also by their delusional ramblings. 

[Arch Stanton]

15 minutes ago, Gambo95 said:

Belle Vue wouldn't have been in the final this year if there were no injuries to other teams top riders (could be argued).

If Sheffield had Tai then they would have more than likely won over the 2 legs.  Belle Vue weren't as good when Brady was missing either so that would be a valid argument.

Same could be said about Jason and Emil missing.

We actually coped very well without Doyle remarkably. We were still winning home and away even running R/R for him in a lot of meetings. Makes you wonder just how far ahead we’d have been if that hadn’t happened. We were still four points clear at the top I think when Emil crashed at Sheffield and that was the final nail in the coffin. Think we had 9 meetings after that and lost them all. We were cooked basically. 
 

You could argue but for appalling referee decisions at Leicester our patched up side should have made the final!

[ouch]

48 minutes ago, Daniel Smith said:

Don't think sane fans are suggesting that at all. There just seems to be a couple of delusional Belle Vue fans on how good there team is & was last season. They can't cope with how very very lucky they were in 2023 & had to downgrade for this year.

All teams stay fit (which is impossible) the league table for 2025 is

1. Ipswich

V

V

V

V

V

v

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

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2. Belle Vue

V

V

V

V

3/4/5. King's Lynn/Leicester/Sheffield 

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

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V

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V

V

V

6/7. Birmingham/Oxford

We often celebrate how lucky we were in 2023. Losing Charles to injury due to our play off jinx saw us covering a rider who had scored paid 19 that year at Foxhall only to get 3 from his rides.  We still only missed out in the last half of a glorious final heat. 
I best play the lottery with luck like that. 

[ouch]

54 minutes ago, Gambo95 said:

Belle Vue wouldn't have been in the final this year if there were no injuries to other teams top riders (could be argued).

If Sheffield had Tai then they would have more than likely won over the 2 legs.  Belle Vue weren't as good when Brady was missing either so that would be a valid argument.

Same could be said about Jason and Emil missing.

Chris Harris whilst replacing Tai at  the NSS was beaten by Dan & Brady twice and it’s not too much of a stretch to suggest that would be the case with Tai should he have been there. The only question mark is the race where Norick beat Chris. At Owlerton Chris top scored with 12+1. 
 

Having our reserve take Bens final ride in 14 in the 2nd leg definitely weakened us as it’s crazy to think he was any kind of replacement for the stars new number 1. Though not a speedway injury, losing Connor Bailey was also a blow we had to work through but taking the bigger picture view, there’s more to life than speedway and I back his decision to do what is best for him long term. 

Edited 4 hours ago by ouch

[Gambo95]

1 hour ago, AceBelle said:

if my had Aunties balls etc 🤣

Exactly.

Need luck on your side at times.

If Brady was injured for the play offs instead of being injured for regular season matches 

Edited 3 hours ago by Gambo95
Info

[Steve0]

2 hours ago, Gambo95 said:

Belle Vue wouldn't have been in the final this year if there were no injuries to other teams top riders (could be argued).

If Sheffield had Tai then they would have more than likely won over the 2 legs.  Belle Vue weren't as good when Brady was missing either so that would be a valid argument.

Same could be said about Jason and Emil missing.

Out of the two teams in the final though - the best team won - and at a canter as Leicester appeared to be outclassed in all departments over both legs.