PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD v LEICESTER (ROWE MOTOR OIL PO SF)

SHEFFIELD and Leicester go into ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off action with the first leg of their semi-final at Owlerton tonight (Thursday).

The Tigers and Lions have been regular rivals over recent years with the East Midlands side coming out on top in a dramatic encounter at the same stage in 2025.

This season, only one point separated the teams in the league stage although Leicester go into the play-offs having lost their last two regular fixtures.

Former Lions captain Max Fricke guests for Sheffield in place of the injured Jack Holder, whilst Leicester bring in British Under-19 champion Jody Scott for the retired Kyle Howarth at reserve.

Sheffield manager Simon Stead said: “I would love for all seven of the lads to perform to their very best – but this is play-off speedway and we know how tough these fixtures can be no matter what your form.

“Anything is possible on any given day and Leicester have had another solid season so we won’t be taking them lightly.

“But we have to take control of as much as we can and we know we need to really push on now if we are to make it through to that Grand Final to take us a step closer to bringing that trophy home.”

Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “The simple instruction to the riders on Thursday will be to keep it as close as possible. We’ve had a couple of doings at Sheffield this season, so we know it’s going to be tough.

“I’m not playing it down, but I felt we were probably favourites this time last year, and I don’t think we’ll be labelled favourites by neutrals before the semi-final this season.

“But it all starts from zero, and I need all my seven riders to be on form. I don’t need nonsense talk about riders needing to ride above themselves, but I do need them all to be on their game for us to have a chance going into the second leg.”

SHEFFIELD: Max Fricke, Anders Rowe, Chris Holder, Leon Flint, Josh Pickering, Jye Etheridge, Luke Killeen.
LEICESTER: Ryan Douglas, Drew Kemp, Sam Masters, Dan Thompson, Nick Morris, Jody Scott, Joe Thompson.

SCB Referee: Graeme Hunter

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