PREVIEW: LEICESTER v IPSWICH (ROWE MOTOR OIL PREM)

IPSWICH face a potentially crucial trip to Leicester tonight (Monday) as they look to secure their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off place.

The Witches will confirm a top four finish if they avoid defeat at the Hydroscand Arena, but any defeat will leave the door open to King’s Lynn who visit Northampton on Thursday.

Leicester, who can clinch second place tonight, have a 100 per cent home record, and they bring in Justin Sedgmen to guest for the retired Kyle Howarth. They will also operate rider replacement for Nick Morris who is out due to personal reasons.

Ipswich chairman Richard Coleman said: “It was pretty frustrating that things didn’t go our way against Belle Vue last Thursday, or away to Northampton seven days prior. Both victories were there for the taking for us. But all is not lost, and we still have the chance to take matters into our own hands when it comes to reaching the play-offs.

“If everyone fires, a win or draw at Leicester is well within the Witches’ capabilities, and especially after a number of close meetings against the Lions both at home and away this year.

“If the riders have anything left in the tank, this is the night to bring it. While we have had our ups and downs this year, it all starts from zero in the play-offs and how our season ends is still very much in our own hands.”

Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “We don’t need to win for the play-offs, but we still want to win and complete a 100 per cent home record.

“I’ve looked through the permutations but with respect to Ipswich and King’s Lynn what they are doing doesn’t really concern me, and our focus remains to finish as high up the table as we possibly can.

“We’re still not sure on Nick at the moment, but I don’t see anything out there in terms of guests, and if we do need to go with rider replacement I’m pretty sure it will serve us better around the Hydroscand Arena than it did at King’s Lynn – but it would be big boots to fill given Nick’s home form.”

LEICESTER: Ryan Douglas, Drew Kemp, Sam Masters, Dan Thompson, Nick Morris R/R, Justin Sedgmen, Joe Thompson.

IPSWICH: Richard Lawson, Scott Nicholls, Danny King, Tom Brennan, Tobiasz Musielak, Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Jason Edwards.

SCB Referee: Chris Gay

Live Streaming: https://www.leicesterlionstv.com/

Live Updates: https://live.britishspeedway.co.uk/