PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD V LEICESTER (ROWE MOTOR OIL PREM)

SHEFFIELD and Leicester meet for the second time in a week in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at Owlerton tonight (Thursday).

The Lions have won all four clashes between the clubs this season, including a KO Cup semi-final victory in South Yorkshire last month.

However, the Tigers were much closer in their league match at the Hydroscand Arena on Monday, holding their opponents to a six-point margin – although on this occasion they face a 22-point deficit for the aggregate point.

Sheffield are at full strength whilst Leicester switch from their regular policy of rider replacement for the injured Luke Becker as they bring in Richad Lawson to guest.

Tigers boss Simon Stead said: “We know the 22 point deficit is a big ask – but anything can happen in speedway!

“First and foremost though, we just want to make sure we do enough over the 15 races to keep our 100 per cent home record in the league intact, and add the two match points to our current total.

“Leicester are obviously the only team to win here this year – but we want to set the record straight there and we know we’re going to need to be at it from start to finish.”

Lions manager Stewart Dickson said: “I think rider replacement is just taking its toll on the riders a little bit, so I’m going to use Richard at No.2 on Thursday.

“We certainly should be capable of getting the aggregate point there. This is the meeting where we are 22 points up, so if we don’t get that we need our backsides kicked!

“Then we get ready for our first KO Cup Final in 50 years at the highest level, and we have an opportunity to get major silverware there, so it’s a really exciting week or so ahead.”

SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Anders Rowe, Josh Pickering, Lewi Kerr, Chris Holder, Justin Sedgmen, Leon Flint.
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Richard Lawson, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.

SCB Referee: Paul Carrington

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