It's early days yet, but JT/FOX Oxford Cheetahs are in pole position in their bid for honours at the top of the Sky Sports Elite League.

Ipswich, who are three points adrift of Cheetahs after their 45-45 draw at Belle Vue on Monday, can do Oxford a favour by beating Poole in tonight's televised Elite League clash at Foxhall Stadium.

Brian Anderson, nearest, leads Jeremy Doncaster, centre, and Steve Johnston on the way to victory in heat three against Ipswich Witches

At present, Steve Johnston's Cheetahs team are not doing themselves any favours at home by relinquishing healthy points advantages and only just about scraping by on the night, Belle Vue being the exception.

If they are serious about doing big things this season, they must take their home meetings by the scruff of the neck.

Taking a ten-point lead with you for the away fixture is a big confidence-booster and means that you have a big say on how you tackle the away meeting.

However, when you think about it, the whole Elite League structure is geared to make meetings close affairs. The tactical substitute rule, which allows a team who are six points adrift to bring in an in-form rider who's struggling, can turn a meeting around in a matter of a two or three heats.

The remarkable thing about Cheetahs' present position is how they have achieved it with two of their top riders way off form so far this term.

Both Todd Wiltshire, who has been suffering from a flu virus, and Steve Johnston, who injured a hand at Belle Vue, have been well below their best, but the Dryml brothers, Lukas and Ales, have come good to cover what could have been a disastrous start.

There can be no faulting the efforts of top-man Leigh Adams and Danish ace Brian Andersen, but Oxford really do need Wilts and Johno to strike form as soon as possible if the league title is a real target.