PREVIEW: BELLE VUE v LEICESTER (PREM KOC)

THE Easter Monday spotlight falls on Belle Vue and Leicester as they race twice in one day in the Northern section of the Premiership KO Cup.

The Aces host the Lions in Manchester at midday before returning to the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park at 7.30pm for the Lions’ first home fixture of the season.

Belle Vue have one win and one defeat from their group clashes with Sheffield, but are without Brady Kurtz (illness) and Norick Blodorn, who crashed last week. Tom Brennan and Jonas Jeppesen have been booked to deputise for the Aces.

Meanwhile the Lions, who are the defending Cup holders, have Dan Thompson and Nick Morris making their returns to the club whilst Joe Thompson is back in as Rising Star with Dan Gilkes on the sidelines.

Aces boss Mark Lemon said: “We know really we need two wins, and if we can get them then hopefully the result on Thursday at Sheffield will mean nothing.

“Brady is out under the eight-day rule, and Norick for nine, and that’s the way it is – it does affect your morale a little bit, but at the end of the day we have some good replacements and we’ll be making a big effort.

“Leicester have always been there or thereabouts in recent years and they’ve put together a very solid-looking side. It’s going to be an extremely busy day but we’re all looking forward to the challenge.”
Leicester manager Stewart Dickson said: “The first target for Monday is the aggregate point, and as far as the home meeting is concerned I’ve always said you want to win the first home match at any cost.

“With this being a small section, I do think it’s imperative that we try to take aggregate point off both opposing teams.

“The results last week were okay for us, because if Sheffield had won at Belle Vue or vice versa, then it really would have put that team in the driving seat straight away. It’s now all in our own hands with four matches to race, and we’ll be looking for a good positive day to start the season.”

BELLE VUE: Tom Brennan, Jonas Jeppesen, Peter Kildemand, Zach Cook, Dan Bewley, Tate Zischke, William Cairns.

LEICESTER: Ryan Douglas, Dan Thompson, Nick Morris, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.

SCB Referee: Craig Ackroyd (at Belle Vue), Graeme Hunter (at Leicester).

*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.bvtv.live/ and https://www.leicesterlionstv.com/