LEICESTER look to get back to winning ways on Saturday (7pm) when they face Eastbourne in another meeting which could be key to their play-off aspirations.
The Eagles visit the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena sitting in seventh place in the Championship table, six points behind the Watling JCB Lions.
But the Arlington side do have matches in hand, so the Lions are fully aware that any slip-up on their own circuit could bring their opponents right back into contention.
And Eastbourne have already shown improved form on the road this season with wins at Redcar and Kent.
Lions boss Stewart Dickson has earmarked the Eagles as the side with the most potential to upset the current top six, with his own men limited to one league point from Wednesday’s trip to Birmingham where track conditions proved arguably a bigger talking point than the result itself.
Thankfully all riders emerged unscathed from that meeting, and Leicester therefore track a full-strength side on Saturday with Eastbourne led by the in-form Richard Lawson at No.1.
They also include reigning British Under-21 Champion Tom Brennan who made a positive guest appearance for the Lions earlier in the season – whilst reserve Drew Kemp will defend his British Under-19 title at Mildenhall next Sunday in a meeting which also includes the Thompson twins and Roger Webster Lion Cubs youngster Ben Trigger.
Eastbourne have made one team change in recent weeks with Nathan Ablitt stepping up from their Seagulls side in the NDL to replace Jason Edwards.
Dickson said: “Our aim is obviously to be higher than sixth place, and we’ve seen a couple of results this week which kind of went in our favour even though it was only a point for ourselves at Birmingham.
“But although it’s at the stage now where we are looking at other teams, it’s really all about what we do – that’s the most important thing.
“I’ve said previously that by the end of the month we’ll know what short of shape we will be in, and so far we haven’t quite clicked as we should have done.
“Glasgow made a great start to the season, Poole did it in the month of July, and I want Leicester to do it in September and October!
“But we’ve got to make sure we’re there first, and Eastbourne are a capable team who we have to watch out for, so this is an important meeting for us.”
Lions fans also have a great chance to meet their favourites with a pre-meeting autograph session taking place between 6.15pm and 6.30pm.
Supporters should make their way towards the exit of turn two via the back straight, and bring their pens and phones for autographs and photographs.
*Last week’s postponed home meeting against Edinburgh has been re-arranged for Saturday September 11. The planned Lion Cubs’ NDL clash with Belle Vue on that date will be re-scheduled.
LEICESTER: Hans Andersen, Dan Thompson, Kyle Howarth, Nick Morris, Ryan Douglas, Joe Thompson, Zaine Kennedy.
EASTBOURNE: Richard Lawson, Kyle Newman, Edward Kennett, Tom Brennan, Lewis Kerr, Drew Kemp, Nathan Ablitt.
