Thing is, in Elite it does not really matter that much compared due to the flight model to match speed with the target, since you move along multiple axis all the time, matching speed would mean you fail to get into a better position. Lateral thrusters play a much higher role with positioning, as well as putting your strong axis (pitch) against your opponents weak (yaw). There is also the reverski, if you want to give up maneuvering and facetank.
In Star Citizen you have a simpler flight model with less inertia, so tailing an opponent is easier, where you matching the speed is the most important, more similar to the old Wing Commander and X-Wing games.