PREVIEW: OXFORD v SCUNTHORPE (CAB DIRECT CHAMP)

OXFORD host Scunthorpe in a big clash of two Cab Direct Championship play-off contenders at Cowley tonight (Wednesday).

The Cheetahs have impressed at home in recent weeks but may face their toughest test yet against a Scorpions side who have won all three league matches so far, two of them on the road.

The hosts bring in Jacob Hook to guest for the injured Henry Atkins at reserve, whilst the visitors operate rider replacement at No.2 with Michael Palm Toft on the sidelines.

Cheetahs boss Peter Schroeck said: “Scunthorpe are a good team and we need to be on our guard. We would like to be the first team to defeat them in the Cab Direct Championship.

“Cheetahs’ home form has been very good in the last couple of meetings, although we could do with being on the ball right from the start of a meeting and make life a bit easier for ourselves later in the evening.

“As usual, while the first priority is to win the meeting, we also want to build up a bit of a margin to take to Scunthorpe next week, to help us with the aggregate point.”

Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Of course, it’s a blow to be without Michael and I wish him a speedy recovery.

“We showed plenty of fight to win at Berwick on Saturday, despite being reduced to five riders for the last two-thirds of the meeting.

“We’ve got a bit of momentum behind us at the moment, and we’d like to carry that forward for a bit longer with a good result at Oxford.”

OXFORD: Sam Masters, Luke Killeen, Jordan Jenkins, Cameron Heeps, Scott Nicholls, Ashton Boughen, Jacob Hook.
SCUNTHORPE: Kyle Howarth, Michael Palm Toft r/r, Simon Lambert, Connor Mountain, Jake Allen, Nathan Ablitt, Luke Harrison.
SCB Referee: Paul Carrington