Elite League Play-Offs By Damian Derrick BBC Sport

The 2009 semi-final play-offs get underway on Monday with Swindon Robins taking on Coventry Bees and Wolverhampton facing Lakeside Hammers.

The Robins topped the league at the end of the season which not only allowed them to choose their opposition but take an eight-point advantage into their match-up with the Bees.

The Wolves, who claimed the runners-up spot, were awarded a four-point advantage for their tie with the Hammers.

The semi-finals are over two legs, home and away, with the winners facing each other in a two-legged final for the Elite League title.

Swindon Robins

Elite League position - 1st

Key rider - Simon Stead. The 27-year-old came to the Robins over the winter with the tag of being a talented, but inconsistent rider during his time in the Elite League. He has slightly raised his average over the course of the summer, but he is still capable of beating the best one night and then losing to a reserve the next. Stead scored solidly in their recent home and away meetings with Wolves, and is a former Coventry rider so should go well there in the semi-final. More of the same could see Swindon finally claim the Elite League title.

Play-off form - Patchy. Swindon have made the play-offs for four straight years now, but have yet to win the big prize. In 2007 they were tipped for the title, before being comprehensively beaten by Coventry in the final. Lakeside ran out comprehensive winners over the Robins in last years semi-final in Essex.

Chances - Good. The Robins strengthened an already impressive line-up with the mid-season signing of Matej Zagar, who gives them probably the strongest top two in the play-offs. He and Adams will score points wherever they ride so all eyes will be on the likes of Simon Stead, Travis McGowan and Morten Risager. If they do their jobs, Swindon will be favourites to claim their first title in 42 years, but there is not much to choose between them and Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton Wolves

Elite League position - 2nd

Key rider - Tai Woffinden. Woffinden has been one of the undoubted stars of the Elite League this season, having come into speedway's top flight full time. Just 19 years old, but he has already established himself as a major force, claiming victories over several top level opponents. Woffinden may be untried in the pressured environment of the play-offs, but few would bet against him rising to the occasion again. And he needs to score well to give the Wolves a good chance of claiming the title.

Play-off form - Wolves finished bottom of the Elite League last season, making their turnaround all the more remarkable. This is their first appearance in the end of campaign competition since 2004, when they lost the final to Poole. They last won the Elite League in 2002.

Chances - Very close to Swindon all season, they finished just four points behind them in the Elite League, and more than 20 ahead of Lakeside in third. Wolves have an impressive home record, having won every meeting at the Monmore Stadium this summer, with the Robins the only side to take a losing point away from the West Midlands. Their lower order will have to raise their game if they are to raise the trophy, but it is something they are well capable of.

Lakeside Hammers

Elite League position - 3rd

Key rider -Jonas Davidsson. As a young rider, Davidsson came to England early in his career but always promised more than he delivered. Since his move to the Hammers though in 2008, the 25-year-old Swede has established himself as a consistent heat leader in the Elite League. Very difficult to beat at his home track, and more than capable of delivering away from home. He will need to provide good support to Lee Richardson if Lakeside are to reach the final.

Play-off form - The Hammers reached the play-offs for the first time in the club's history only to lose to Poole in the final. They were hampered by a succession of injuries to key riders in the build up to the meeting, and will be hoping history does not repeat itself.

Chances - The change in play off format will help the Hammers, whose small track gives them a tremendous home advantage. Wolves opted to have the home leg of their semi-final at their stadium in an attempt to put them meeting beyond doubt. If Lakeside can keep it close in that opening match, they will have a great chance to turn the tables when they return back to Essex. That is a big 'if' though.

Coventry Bees

Elite League position - 4th

Key rider - Oliver Allen. A rider who has suffered more injuries than most during his speedway career. He missed Coventry's last league title back in 2007, and is not long back from another one. Having spent seven years at Swindon earlier in his career he will know the Abbey Stadium track better than most, and will need to come up with some big points to give his team any chance of progressing.

Play-off form - Coventry are one of the most successful teams in modern speedway, having won the Elite League title in 2005 and 2007. They missed out on the play-offs last season, but the backbone of the team have won the title and know what it takes.

Chances - Slim. The Bees have been hit by an injury to Ben Barker, and are woefully out of form going into the play-offs. Chris Harris is one of the most exciting riders in the world, but he can struggle against the very best opponents, and with the reserves misfiring it would take an incredible improvement in form to see them make it through to the final, let alone win it.

Semi-final line up:

Monday, 21 September

Coventry v Swindon* - Coventry Stadium * Swindon have an eight-point advantage for finishing top of the league.

Wolves* v Lakeside - Ladbroke Stadium * Wolverhampton have a four-point advantage for finishing second in the league.

Return legs to be played on Monday, 28 September.

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