LEICESTER have a huge meeting at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena with a double-header against Edinburgh on Saturday (6.30pm).
In the Championship, the Watling JCB Lions are two home wins away from confirming top spot ahead of the play-offs, and with it they would gain pick of opponents in the semi-finals.
And in the National Development League, the Lion Cubs will take over at the top with a win over Armadale by more than two points.
Lions are again forced to run with rider replacement for Dan Thompson against the Monarchs, who have a good record at Beaumont Park in recent seasons and have run Leicester close on their previous visits.
The Scottish side are without No.1 Sam Masters due to a foot injury, but have a quality guest in Richard Lawson, and include the spectacular Josh Pickering at No.5.
Meanwhile the Lion Cubs are entitled to a guest facility for Thompson at No.1, and have booked Kent star Alfie Bowtell, with rider replacement too much of a risk especially with skipper Joe Thompson involved in the senior meeting beforehand.
Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “This is a massive, massive meeting for us, and I’m not going to play down the importance because having done all the work so far, we really want to finish top.
“We are going to need the whole team firing, because with using rider replacement for Dan, it means that Joe and Max (Clegg) are going to have to take several additional rides at reserve.
“Our home form is good, and we are good enough to win this meeting, but we have to keep that back door closed and our home crowd can help us, so we do need everyone down there cheering us on.”
LEICESTER: Nick Morris, Connor Mountain, Richie Worrall, Dan Thompson R/R, Kyle Howarth, Max Clegg, Joe Thompson.
EDINBURGH: Richard Lawson, Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Josh Pickering, Jacob Hook, James Sarjeant.
LEICESTER LION CUBS: Alfie Bowtell, Mickie Simpson, Connor Coles, Tom Spencer, Joe Thompson, Vinnie Foord, Max Perry.
ARMADALE: Lee Complin, Josh Embleton, Tom Woolley, Elliot Kelly, Danny Phillips, Gregor Millar, Lewis Millar.
