PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM v LEICESTER (PREM KO CUP)

BIRMINGHAM’S new-look team face their first test with a Midlands derby clash against Leicester in the KO Cup quarter-finals at Perry Barr tonight (Monday).

The Brummies have changed all seven riders from 2024 and are now led by a spearhead of Tobiasz Musielak, Michael Jepsen Jensen and Matej Zagar, with Keynan Rew joining from Ipswich.

In contrast, Leicester track a side with few changes as Kyle Howarth and Drew Kemp both rejoin after previous spells with the Lions, although their Cup record since moving into the top-fight has been disappointing.

Birmingham boss Chris Adams said: “I think it’s going to be a really good contest over the two legs on aggregate.

“Leicester are looking strong on paper again and we’re going into this season with the expectation that we’re better placed to win more speedway meetings.

“We’ll see how they bed in on Monday but hopefully we can put ourselves in a decent position ahead of the second leg.”

Leicester manager Stewart Dickson said: “It wasn’t a fluke that we won all the matches we did last season, the riders were riding to their ability, and that’s why I brought as many of them back as possible, because I believe in them.

“But we do need to be on our guard against Birmingham first and foremost. We want to get through in this tie and improve our KO Cup record, so we have to put in a performance on Monday so we can bring them back and win overall on aggregate at home.”

BIRMINGHAM: Tobiasz Musielak, Jonas Jeppesen, Michael Jepsen Jensen, Keynan Rew, Matej Zagar, Antti Vuolas, Jason Edwards.
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Sam Hagon.

SCB Referee: Craig Ackroyd

*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.brummies.tv/