Leicester’s recent upturn in form at home which has resulted in three wins against Coventry (twice) and Wolverhampton is likely to come under scrutiny on Monday with the visit of the Poole Pirates to Beaumont Park.
The Lions suffered a 58-32 defeat in Dorset on Wednesday against Poole who have won three times and drawn twice in their five previous visits to Leicester.
“We face another tough challenge against Poole and it is one that they have to win to keep the momentum going to secure a play-off place and it is about time we beat the Pirates on our own turf for once. Our confidence is up at home and there is great belief that we can keep that going” said the Lions Team Manager, Norrie Allan.
The Pirates have won the Elite League Championship three years in a row and are currently sitting second in the table with matches in hand over their rivals. A fourth title would equal Wimbledon’s feat between the years 1958-61.
On the last occasion Poole visited Leicester in May the Pirates were trailing by 12 points but after the track was re-graded following the eighth heat their fortunes changed, finally forcing a draw in a last race decider.
“Every club has to be riding at the very top of their form when up against Poole. They have Bjarne Pedersen at reserve who in that position can be a match winner for them. I believe it is going to be close and the outcome could go right down to a last race decider again” added Allan.
The visitors are at full strength with Chris Holder, their Grand Prix star at number one, who is supported by a former Leicester rider Krzysztof Buczkowski and World Cup winner Hans Andersen.
Meanwhile, Ludvig Lindgren returns to the team after missing last Wednesday’s match at Poole through injury but the Paul Chapman and Sons Lions are again without Patrick Hougaard who is riding for his Danish club, Fjelsted at Esbjerg and Team Manager Norrie Allan has opted to operate Rider Replacement in Hougaard’s absence.
Teams
Leicester: 1. Rider Replacement for Patrick Hougaard, 2. Aaron Summers, 3. Nicolai Klindt, 4. Paul Starke, 5. Szymon Wozniak, 6. Ludvig Lindgren and 7. Josh Auty
Poole: 1. Chris Holder, 2. Adam Ellis, 3. Krzysztof Buczkowski, 4. Brady Kurtz, 5. Hans Andersen, 6. Bjarne Pedersen and 7. Kyle Newman
