MATT Ford tipped King’s Lynn to top the SGB Premiership and then revealed his belief the Stars would not pick Pirates as play-off semi-final opponents.

Poole are on the brink of reaching the top four ahead of their trip to Norfolk tomorrow (7.30pm).

At the same time, Wolverhampton take on Somerset at the Oaktree Arena and if Wolves fail to pick up at least a point, only a mathematical miracle would prevent Poole advancing.

King’s Lynn have won nine of their past 10 meetings, their only defeat during that spell coming when they were hammered at Wimborne Road.

Pirates boss Ford told the Daily Echo: “I think King’s Lynn are destined to finish top and you start then second guessing who they would choose to ride against in that situation.

“We gave a very good account of ourselves at their place in July, only losing by two points.

“My thoughts are that if we get to the semi-finals and King’s Lynn do finish top, they would probably choose not to ride against us having been beaten 61-29 in Dorset at the start of August.

“I know our track didn’t suit their top guys and it is no different now. It could well be that we end up facing Somerset yet again.”

Poole will be without Danish flier Nicolai Klindt for the meeting against the Stars as he has racing commitments in his homeland.

The visitors will use rider replacement in the absence of the club asset, with few guest options available.

Ford added: “Had Wolverhampton not achieved a win against Belle Vue on Monday, I think we could have been fairly certain of being in the play-offs.

“Although they could still have overtaken us, it would have been a heck of a feat for them to have done so.

“If we can go to King’s Lynn and pinch a point, that would be great. In truth, I think our backs are against the wall as Nicolai, who top-scored for us there last time, is not available.

“He is a trump card for us around King’s Lynn. But we need to do what we can so let’s give them something to think about.

“We will have our work cut out but I believe a point would effectively cement our place in the play-offs.

“Wolverhampton are at Somerset and that is a crucial meeting for them. They have to pick up something to keep their hopes alive.”

King’s Lynn: (from) Robert Lambert, Erik Riss, Ty Proctor, Thomas Jorgensen, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Michael Palm Toft, Simon Lambert.

Pirates: (from) Brady Kurtz, Josh Grajczonek, Richie Worrall, Nicolai Klindt r/r, Chris Harris, Kacper Woryna, Frederik Jakobsen.