LEICESTER return to the scene of their opening night triumph when they visit Birmingham with ROWE Motor Oil Premiership points on the line on Monday (7.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions were emphatic 57-33 winners at Perry Barr in the KO Cup, a result which underpinned their progression to the semi-finals of the competition.
In the league itself Lions have two wins and two defeats so far, with most of their matches being close, and after missing out at home to Ipswich they responded with victory at Oxford on Easter Monday.
They name an unchanged line-up for the trip across the Midlands to a venue where several of their riders have impressive records.
Birmingham still await their first win of the season, and they were thrashed 60-30 at Ipswich on Thursday – but they did run the Witches close in their previous home outing.
Danish star Michael Jepsen Jensen has hit top form of late, but a major issue for the Brummies has been the visa issues which have kept Matej Zagar out of the side.
The Slovenian is missing again on Monday and the home side have brought in former Lions rider Lewis Kerr as their ‘reduced facility’ guest.
Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “I haven’t made any secret of the fact that I think Ipswich are the outstanding team at the moment, and we’re in our own battle to get into the top four.
“After our big win at Birmingham at the start of the season we will certainly go there with confidence, but we won’t be over-confident or arrogant.
“I do normally say we’re going to an away meeting looking to keep it close for the aggregate point, but this time there’s no point kidding anyone on because we’re looking to see if we can get another win there.
“We do realise it won’t be as straightforward as last time, which was their first home meeting, but we’re also aware they haven’t ridden at home for three weeks, and when I’m a home team manager in that situation I am always concerned, so that might help us initially.
“With a full one-to-seven we’ll go there in confident mood, and I’m pretty sure we’ll have a good travelling support once again on the first bend.
“The league table is shaping up and without being disrespectful the stronger teams will be looking to win at Birmingham. I’m sure they will get a win eventually, I just hope it’s after we are there!”
BIRMINGHAM: Tobiasz Musielak, Jonas Jeppesen, Lewis Kerr, Keynan Rew, Michael Jepsen Jensen, Antti Vuolas, Jason Edwards.
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Dan Gilkes.
