LEICESTER’S riders will be told an all-round team effort is essential if they are to defeat a powerful Redcar side at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Saturday (7pm).
The Bears have become one of the Championship’s strongest sides and so nearly derailed the Watling JCB Lions’ charge to the title in 2019 when a dramatic play-off semi-final went right down to the wire.
This season, the Teessiders are the only side to defeat early pace-setters Glasgow, having snatched a 47-43 victory at the Media Prima Arena last Sunday.
Lions, meanwhile, are searching for consistency throughout the side and have collected four points from three league matches ahead of an important weekend.
Stewart Dickson’s side also travel to Newcastle on Sunday, although the scheduled trip to Kent on Tuesday is off due to a clash with England’s Euro 2020 fixture with the Czech Republic. Lions will now go to Central Park on September 14.
Dickson names an unchanged side from last week’s KO Cup victory over Scunthorpe, whilst Redcar are without skipper Charles Wright due to the Grand Prix Qualifier at Glasgow – but they have made what appears an astute guest choice with in-form Richard Lawson coming in at No.1.
The visitors have further heat-leader strength from Michael Palm Toft and Jake Allen, and the latter can take a rider-replacement outing for the injured Jordan Stewart.
Dickson said: “There’s no doubt that Redcar will be a big test for us. We need all seven riders firing, because they are one of the more fancied teams in the league.
“They will present us with a lot of challenges, and if all seven of our riders perform then we should be okay – but if they don’t, then this is one that could bite us on the backside.
“Then we travel to Newcastle, and whilst they are much stronger with Stevie Worrall in as a guest, I firmly believe we should be looking to go and win that meeting with the team we’ve got.”
Supporters are reminded that tickets are available in advance from leicesterspeedway.com/ticketoffice , but pay on the night facilities are now also available.
LEICESTER: Nick Morris, Ty Proctor, Kyle Howarth, Josh Bates, Ryan Douglas, Dan Thompson, Joe Thompson.
REDCAR: Richard Lawson, Jordan Stewart r/r, Jake Allen, Anders Rowe, Michael Palm Toft, James Sarjeant, Jordan Jenkins.
