PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM v LEICESTER (ROWE MOTOR OIL PREM)

BIRMINGHAM host Leicester tonight (Monday) on what is sure to be an emotional occasion as Perry Barr stages speedway for the final time.

The Brummies were revived at the venue in 2007 with the following two decades seeing them spend time operating at all levels of the sport.

They were National Development League champions in 2015 and 2016, and whilst the last two years in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership have been tough, the loss of the track – with the stadium scheduled for redevelopment – is a sad moment for the sport.

In terms of the meeting itself, the Brummies need a win to retain hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon, and they bring in Simon Lambert to guest for the injured Ben Barker.

The Lions are at full strength and have won on each of their visits in the last two seasons, as they chase a top two finish in the league table.

Brummies CEO Nigel Tolley said: “It’s going to be a very, very sad day on Monday.

“I’m sorry we’re in this position because I know the Brummies means the world to a lot of people out there.

“There’s going to be people at a terrific loose end after Monday night and there’s going to be a lot of tears shed when we race Leicester.”

Lions star Ryan Douglas said: “No doubt they would love to finish with a win, but we want to keep the ball rolling as well.

“We will be looking for a win for sure. It sucks with the circumstances of Birmingham shutting, although to ride in the last meeting there is a cool thing for us, and I’m sure we’ll want to come out on top.”

BIRMINGHAM: Tobiasz Musielak, Jonas Jeppesen, Keynan Rew, Paco Castagna, Matej Zagar, Simon Lambert, Sam Hagon.
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.

SCB Referee: Mick Bates