LEICESTER No.1 Kim Nilsson is expecting their SGB Premiership Knockout Cup tie with Somerset to go down to the wire at Beaumont Park on Saturday (7.30).
The Watling JCB Lions are trailing the Rebels by eight points heading into the second leg after a 49-41 defeat at the Oaktree Arena in the first leg.
Swedish star Nilsson believes the tie is delicately poised but insists they have what it takes to overhaul the deficit.
And regardless of whether they pull off the comeback, he is anticipating late drama in an eagerly-anticipated Easter showdown.
“We’ll go into the meeting believing we can get the points back and make it through,” Nilsson said. “Obviously it’s going to be tough, coming from eight points down after losing at their place, but I think eight points can be the sort of difference you get from your home track.
“It’s going to be a tight meeting, and I think the difference is going to come down to those last few heats.
“I’m expecting it to be tight and go down to the very end, so hopefully we can put ourselves in a position to get through in the last couple of races.”
Leicester have drafted in Lasse Bjerre and Nick Morris to guest for Josh Auty and Danny King respectively with the British pair on SGB Championship duty.
Meanwhile, Somerset include Nicolai Klindt as a guest for another former Lions’ favourite, Paul Starke, in the No.2 spot.
There will also be a 250cc Team Challenge between the Leicester Lions Cubs featuring Joe and Dan Thompson as they take on Long Eaton Invaders pair Jacob Clayton and Jordan Palin.
With free Easter Eggs to be given out to the first 100 kids through the turnstiles, families are urged to get down to Beaumont Park to support the Lions.
LEICESTER: Kim Nilsson, Lasse Bjerre, Kacper Gomolski, Erik Riss, Nick Morris, Josh Bates, Danny Ayres.
SOMERSET: Rohan Tungate, Nicolai Klindt, Charles Wright, Patrick Hougaard, Josh Grajczonek, Jake Allen, Jan Graversen.
