PIRATES legend Bjarne Pedersen is tipping Poole to justify the bookies’ favouritism and regain the Elite League crown.

A barnstorming second half to the season has seen the Dorset club backed off the boards by punters with Pirates now priced at 6-4 to win the title.

Pedersen, second on Poole’s list of all-time career scorers, felt the full force of the revival when his Eastbourne team was on the receiving end of a 56-38 thrashing nine days ago.

And the Dane, who won the title three times with Pirates and captained them to the silverware in 2008, reckons there could be no stopping them as the season prepares to reach a gripping climax.

Pedersen, whose paid 13 against Poole included impressive heat wins over Darcy Ward and Greg Hancock, told the Daily Echo: “My money would be on them to win it.

“They are really strong and have a fantastic top three. When they are firing, it is not easy to stop them.

“If the bottom end can keep scoring well like they have over the past few weeks, I think they will get the last spot in the play-offs.

“They have been really unfortunate with injuries but that is all part of speedway. Riders also have their ups and downs throughout the season.

“But Poole look really good now and have come good at the business end of the season.

“Everything is still very much up for grabs. It is a long season and you can finish top of the table and still not win it.

“You need to show what you are about, especially during the final few weeks when the title is either won or lost, and everything is looking very positive for Poole now.”

Pirates have a doubt over the availability of Josh Grajczonek ahead of tonight’s Wimborne Road clash with Peterborough (7.30pm).

The reserve, who has been in scintillating form for Poole, may have to ride for parent club Somerset against Sheffield in the Premier League.

Should the Aussie miss out, Pirates would draft in asset Kyle Howarth, who performed well in the world under-21 round at Berwick on Saturday.

Meanwhile, players and officials from Poole Town FC will parade their three trophies from last season prior to the meeting.

Chairman Clive Robbins, manager Tom Killick, assistant boss James Wood and several players will show off the Southern League South & West, Dorset Senior Cup and Southern League Championship prizes.

Jem Racing's latest prices to win the Elite League: Poole 6-4, Swindon 10-3, Birmingham 7-2, Wolves 5-1, Lakeside 10-1, Kings Lynn 25-1, Coventry 125-1, Peterborough 150-1, Belle Vue 200-1.

Poole Pirates: Darcy Ward, Rohan Tungate, Greg Hancock, Maciej Janowski, Tomas H Jonasson, Josh Grajczonek or Kyle Howarth, Micky Dyer.

Peterborough Panthers: Kenneth Bjerre, Krzysztof Buczkowski, Ryan Fisher, Patrick Hougaard, Norbert Kosciuch, Joonas Kylmakorpi, Dakota North.