LEICESTER can mathematically secure their place in the National Development League Grand Final this weekend.
The Lion Cubs face nearest rivals Oxford in a potential cracker at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park on Saturday (7pm) in what may well prove to be a dress rehearsal for the title decider.
At this stage the Cubs need just one more league point to be certain of qualification, although that in itself will not be necessary if Mildenhall fail to win at Edinburgh on Friday.
However, there is also a big incentive for the Cubs to maintain their unbeaten home record which goes right back to their initial entry into the league in 2019, and set a marker ahead of a likely Final against the Chargers.
The match was initially due to take place at the end of August but only five races were possible before the weather curtailed proceedings with the Cubs 17-13 up at the time.
Since then, the Chargers’ line-up has been amended in terms of team positioning, with flying reserve Luke Killeen now up in the main body of the side.
And they still pack a super-strong top two including current senior regulars Jordan Jenkins and Henry Atkins, backed up by Ryan Kinsley who himself had a spell with the Cheetahs this season.
For the Lion Cubs, Dan Thompson remains on the sidelines with his shoulder injury, and he is again replaced by Max Clegg who stood in during the abandoned fixture.
The home side are otherwise at full strength, with Ashton Boughen returning after missing the recent double-header win over Workington.
Manager Dave Howard said: “Oxford are no doubt the other strongest team in the NDL, so it will be a big challenge to achieve our aim, but our team will be giving their all.
“It’s great to have Ashton back, and the other riders rode outstandingly in our last double-header meeting to put us into the Cup Final and also put us in a strong position to achieve qualification for the league Final too.”
LEICESTER: Max Clegg, Ashton Boughen, Max Perry, Tom Spencer, Joe Thompson, Vinnie Foord, Max James.
OXFORD: Jordan Jenkins, Jody Scott, Ryan Kinsley, Luke Killeen, Henry Atkins, Jacob Clouting, Jason Garrad.
