LEICESTER will secure top spot in the National Development League with a win over fellow hopefuls Berwick at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Saturday (7pm).
The two clubs are just behind leaders Mildenhall, who have completed their fixtures, and the winners of this clash will determine who takes over in first place ahead of the play-offs.
The league leaders at the end of this weekend will take on the fourth-placed club, with several permutations still to play out – the most significant of those being Belle Vue’s trip to Armadale, from which they need a league point to knock Oxford out of the play-off places.
But the Lion Cubs’ agenda is firmly on beating the Bullets, and they will go into action with a full-strength side and with plenty of confidence from their impressive unbeaten run at home.
The Bullets, meanwhile, hope to track their full line-up but will await a late fitness update on talented youngster Ace Pijper, who suffered concussion in a crash at Mildenhall in early September, with his compulsory time out having now been completed.
They are led by skipper Kyle Bickley at No.1, whilst at reserve Kieran Douglas has made a welcome return to racing after a heavy crash at Leicester in their KO Cup fixture back in mid-summer.
Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “The whole team is in a positive place as we commence the big October that we have, as we give everything to push as hard as possible for success in the league and KO Cup, in what will be tough challenges.
“All of the other teams are challenging big-style and want to win the silverware. They have strengthened with signings, and/or had riders progress greatly this season.
“That challenge begins against the strong Berwick Bullets, who have also already secured their league play-off spot and have strength at the top end and a great first-season youngster in Ace Pijper.”
LEICESTER: Dan Thompson, Max Perry, Connor Coles, Tom Spencer, Joe Thompson, Vinnie Foord, Mickie Simpson.
BERWICK: Kyle Bickley, Ace Pijper, Ben Rathbone, Luke Crang, Greg Blair, Kieran Douglas, Mason Watson.
