LEICESTER face another of the Championship’s expected play-off contenders when Redcar provide the opposition at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Saturday (7pm).
The Watling JCB Lions have already come through stern home tests against Poole and Glasgow in recent weeks, and the Bears are another team to regard in a similar category.
The two clubs have fought out some classic clashes in recent years, none more so than the 2019 play-off semi-final when the Lions made it through in a tense last-heat decider.
Lions continue to top the table, albeit having raced more matches than their rivals, whilst Redcar have raced three league fixtures so far, all of them at home, and all of them resulting in victory. The Bears also went close at Oxford on Wednesday in the first leg of their KO Cup tie.
Leicester welcome back skipper Kyle Howarth, who has missed their last two matches due to illness, and he slots back in at No.3 – and ironically his opposite number Lewis Kerr is the man who guested for him last Saturday.
The Bears also track a powerful top order with Kerr joined by Charles Wright and Erik Riss, both of whom had recent spells with Leicester in the top league.
At reserve, the visitors include two of Great Britain’s brightest prospects for the future in Jordan Jenkins and Jason Edwards.
Leicester are forced into one change as Anders Rowe was unwell following his return from racing in Poland this week, and missed a match for Ipswich on Thursday. He must now take a mandatory week out of racing, and Ben Morley steps in as a guest on Saturday.
Lions boss Stewart Dickson said “We expect another very tough challenge from Redcar, and we’re looking forward to it.
“They are a team built very much in the same way as ourselves with a very good heat-leader trio, second-strings, and two up-and-coming, promising reserves, so I’m sure they will give us a very tough match and it will be another good one for the fans.
“I was much happier with things after last weekend, but we need to ensure we keep the back door closed at home. We are quite good around our home patch, the riders have proved that already, but we know Redcar will give us stiff opposition.
“We’ve already beaten two of the strongest teams here, and we need to do that again on Saturday.”
Supporters are reminded that due to a late change of schedule, this meeting is NOT being live streamed by the British Speedway Network, and the only way to enjoy the action is by being present at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena.
LEICESTER: Nick Morris, Connor Mountain, Kyle Howarth, Dan Thompson, Richie Worrall, Ben Morley, Joe Thompson.
REDCAR: Charles Wright, Adam Roynon, Lewis Kerr, Kasper Andersen, Erik Riss, Jason Edwards, Jordan Jenkins.
