PREVIEW: BELLE VUE v WOLVERHAMPTON (P-KOC)

BELLE Vue face a 26-point deficit as they host Wolverhampton in the second leg of their KO Cup quarter-final at the National Speedway Stadium tonight (Thursday).

Wolves ran up a big lead in the first meeting on Easter Monday which was curtailed after 11 races due to rain, with Sheffield awaiting the aggregate winners in the semi-finals.

Both teams are forced into changes in Manchester with Tom Brennan and Norick Blodorn missing out for the Aces due to the FIME European Under-23 Team Championship semi-final in Germany.

The home side operate rider replacement for Brennan whilst Paco Castagna guests for Blodorn, whilst Wolves bring in Justin Sedgmen to replace the injured Luke Becker and Kyle Bickley comes in for Leon Flint who is also on GB duty with Brennan.

Aces boss Mark Lemon said: “The delay has heightened the tension and the anticipation for this meeting. It was early April when we went to Monmore Green and we have been very eager ever since to set the record straight.

“This will be the biggest challenge the team has faced so far this season and it is unfortunate that we will be missing both Tom and Norick to international duties.

“But Wolverhampton are in the same boat somewhat and I feel both sides are even going into this, and with the way we have been performing at home I am satisfied we can get the job done.”

Wolves star Ryan Douglas said: “We have got a nice lead – but we can’t take it for granted. Belle Vue have pumped teams by 30 points or so a few times at home.

“So we’re going to have to be on our game and turn up like we would any other meeting, trying to get the win on the night. If we all do our jobs then I don’t see why we won’t make it through.”

BELLE VUE: Dan Bewley, Tom Brennan r/r, Jaimon Lidsey, Charles Wright, Brady Kurtz, Paco Castagna, Jake Mulford.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Sam Masters, Steve Worrall, Justin Sedgmen, Ryan Douglas, Rory Schlein, Zach Cook, Kyle Bickley.

*LIVE STREAMING: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk