SCOTT Nicholls believes there is every chance that his Coventry team could meet Swindon in the Elite League play-offs at the end of the season.

The former Robins number one and his Bees side have endured a difficult start to the year after losing three of their opening four meetings, which included a 54-39 defeat at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday.

But ahead of Swindon’s visit to Brandon this evening, the six-time British champion says he expects Coventry to turn their fortunes round and end the campaign in the top four.

“I think we will make the play-offs 100 per cent,” said Nicholls.

“It’s a marathon not a sprint. If the league was over in four meetings we’d be in problems, but I think we’ve got a very strong side.

“Swindon have got a good line-up. Hans (Andersen) is in good form and although Troy (Batchelor) is getting a bit of a hard time, he’s a good rider and they are very strong at reserve.

“I firmly believe Coventry have got a good side as well along with a couple of other teams in the Elite League.”

Nicholls endured a tricky night on his return to Blunsdon on Thursday, scoring just four points and breaking a chain when leading heat nine.

His teammates were not without ill-fortune either, Edward Kennett falling in race three while Kenni Larsen pulled up with bike problems when second in heat 10.

And Nicholls added: “I think me and Swindon are jinxed, I like the track and felt like I was riding good but it just didn’t happen.

“A bit of luck would have been nice and that would have put us in a better position at the end of the night, but credit to Swindon, they rode well.

“Now we look forward to Friday night. Swindon have got some riders who are good round Coventry and I certainly don’t want it to be tight.”

Swindon could theoretically go top of the Elite League this evening, but they would need at least a draw at Brandon and for table-toppers Lakeside to slip up at home to Wolverhampton.

Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: ”We’ve spoken as a team about the fact that there’s no point going somewhere if you don’t think you can win.

“We’ve got lots of ex-Coventry riders that can ride that track well so we’re going to go there with confidence.”

Meanwhile, Swindon have agreed dates with Peterborough for their Knockout Cup quarter-final tie.

The Robins will head to the East of England Showground for the first leg on Friday, May 4. The return meeting will take place at Blunsdon on Thursday, May 24.