PREVIEW: OXFORD v BIRMINGHAM (Cab Direct Champ)

OXFORD are chasing top spot in the Cab Direct Championship if they can take a big home win over Birmingham at Cowley tonight (Wednesday).

The Cheetahs won by 18 points at Perry Barr last week and a similar result in the return would take them to the summit.

But the meeting also marks the first in charge for new Birmingham boss Stewart Dickson, who has booked Drew Kemp to guest for the injured James Wright and has confirmed riders are riding for their team places.

Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “Birmingham are going through a tough patch right now but that doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of upsetting the formbook. They’re a team of competent riders so our first target is to obviously win the meeting.

“Beyond that, we would love to lay down a marker to the rest of the division and climb to the top of the table with three wins out of three under our belt.”

Dickson said: “First and foremost we go there to be competitive. I think it’s fair to say, without criticising anybody in particular, in the last few meetings that hasn’t been the case.

“I’d like to see some sort of reaction with a new team manager coming in. They’re going to be riding for their places, I cannot dress it up any other way.
 

“As a team, the last couple of results have been quite alarming and we’re under no illusions about Wednesday night either, it’s going to be tough.”

OXFORD: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps, Lewis Kerr, Jordan Jenkins, Scott Nicholls, Henry Atkins, Ryan Kinsley.
BIRMINGHAM: Nick Morris, Alfie Bowtell, Dan Thompson, Drew Kemp, Justin Sedgmen, Joe Thompson, James Pearson.