LEICESTER kick off a run of crucial home matches when they host Wolverhampton at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park on Thursday (7.30pm).
The two clubs are level on 29 points in the Sports Insure Premiership table, with the play-off race having tightened up in recent weeks following the run of form enjoyed by Ipswich.
The Witches are currently fourth on 27 points but only have three matches remaining, whilst Leicester and Wolves both have seven to race. Sheffield are fifth on 24, with eight matches to go.
With home matches to come against Wolves and then Sheffield on August 26 and King’s Lynn on August 28, the Lions are keen to ensure control of their own destiny without the need to rely on any results elsewhere.
But the match against Wolves is likely to be a tough one, notwithstanding the fact that the Lions ‘drew’ 45-45 at Monmore recently before missing out in a Super Heat.
The West Midlands side recently enjoyed a thumping away win at Peterborough and boast plenty of Beaumont Park track specialists including skipper Sam Masters, recent Lions star Ryan Douglas, and newly crowned British No.2 Steve Worrall.
Lions track an unchanged line-up with Richie Worrall and Craig Cook making their 2023 home debuts after racing at Wolverhampton and Sheffield last week.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “We’ve been inconsistent lately and really we should have won at Wolverhampton, and this is now a big home match for us.
“If we win it then I think we can say we’ve got one foot in the play-offs given the fixtures we have to come, and we need to get this one over the line.
“We were convincingly beaten in our last home match against Ipswich so we need to put on a solid display and get the win.
“I certainly expect to see a much better performance than against Ipswich, but we know Wolverhampton will be confident of giving us trouble.”
*THURSDAY’S meeting will also feature the club’s annual collection for the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund. This will take place during the interval and supporters are asked to give as generously as their circumstances allow.
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Justin Sedgmen, Richie Worrall, Craig Cook, Richard Lawson, Jake Allen, Drew Kemp.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Sam Masters, Steve Worrall, Luke Becker, Rory Schlein, Ryan Douglas, Zach Cook, Leon Flint.
