PREVIEW: SCUNTHORPE v LEICESTER (KOC QF)

SCUNTHORPE face a 26-point first leg deficit when they face Leicester in the second leg of their KO Cup quarter-final at the Eddie Wright Raceway tonight (Friday).

The Lions won 58-32 when the sides met three months ago, with the Scorpions’ home leg having previously been abandoned. A semi-final with Poole awaits the aggregate winners.

Scunthorpe operate rider replacement for the injured Tero Aarnio, whilst Dan Thompson is missing for Leicester as he is on European U19 duty, with r/r also in operation.

Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Leicester may be favourites to go through to the semi-finals given that they have a big lead from the first leg. But the boys will be giving it everything to try and keep our season alive.

“Not too many people will fancy our chances, I suspect, but we’ll give it a good go and see where it takes us. We have already scored 55 points against Leicester at the Eddie Wright Raceway this season, and we just need a few more points than that.”

Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “It will be good to get the team together again after so long without a meeting, and we’ll be focused on getting the job done.

“We’re fully aware Scunthorpe had a big win in their last home match, so we need to be professional about it, and we should have enough in the team to get through.

“I’ve kept the same riding order as in our last meeting as I felt that worked well, and the riders know there are extra rides available too.”

SCUNTHORPE: Ryan Douglas, Simon Lambert, James Wright, Jake Allen, Tero Aarnio r/r, Adam Roynon, Anders Rowe.
LEICESTER: Nick Morris, Dan Thompson r/r, Richie Worrall, Connor Mountain, Kyle Howarth, Joe Thompson, Max Clegg.

*LIVE STREAMING: https://tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com