LEICESTER look to launch another winning home run when they host Birmingham in a big Midlands derby on Saturday (7pm).
The Watling JCB Lions saw their proud record at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena ended by Poole last weekend, and they were also beaten when the sides met in Dorset on Wednesday.
But they remain very much in the thick of the battle for play-off places having secured an away win at Plymouth on Tuesday, and the visit of the Brummies is the latest in a vital run of home matches.
The Perry Barr side have had a troubled campaign off-track with serious concerns over their future due to crowd levels after extensive Covid restrictions.
But on-track they have an attractive line-up which has already won at Berwick and picked up a league point at Redcar this season.
The Brummies boast one of the best top-two spearheads in the Championship with GB legend Chris Harris and exciting German Erik Riss sure to test the Lions.
A second German rider, Valentin Grobauer, missed their KO Cup trip to Edinburgh on Friday due to a Polish commitment, but is due back on Saturday.
But former Lions rider Jack Thomas, who spent the first half of the 2019 season with the club, misses out on his return as he has suffered an injury at work and is replaced by Jason Edwards.
Lions are at full-strength with Dan Thompson racing in the top five at home for the first time, and boss Stewart Dickson continues to juggle the riding order in search of the best combinations.
Ryan Douglas retains the No.5 position he took at Poole on Wednesday, whilst skipper Kyle Howarth and Nick Morris switch in the No.3 and No.4 slots.
Leicester currently sit fifth in the Championship table but a win would elevate them into the top four ahead of Redcar.
Dickson said: “We’ve been going through a wee spell that teams go through sometimes, but it’s no good feeling sorry for ourselves.
“We’ve got to get our fingers out, roll up and put in a big performance against Birmingham to show we mean business again.
“It won’t be easy knowing how well Harris and Riss can go around our place, and Ashley Morris is coming into a bit of form as well, but I’m looking for a reaction from us and it’s a match we must win.”
LEICESTER: Hans Andersen, Dan Thompson, Kyle Howarth, Nick Morris, Ryan Douglas, Joe Thompson, Zaine Kennedy.
BIRMINGHAM: Chris Harris, Valentin Grobauer, James Shanes, Ashley Morris, Erik Riss, Paco Castagna, Jason Edwards.
