LEICESTER’S title-chasing WSRA National Development League team face their biggest match of the season when they host Oxford on Sunday (3pm).
Something has to give at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park as both sides go into the meeting boasting 100 per cent records this season.
The Lion Cubs have won all five of their matches so far, including an away victory at Belle Vue, and this is their final home fixture before they hit the road for four away trips in August.
Meanwhile the Chargers are on a run of four wins out of four, three of them on their home track of Cowley, and they have also picked up a narrow victory at Edinburgh.
With no play-offs in the NDL this season, it looks highly likely that either the Lion Cubs or the Chargers will be crowned champions, and that means their head-to-head clashes are of vital importance, and the aggregate point across their home and away matches could well be significant.
The Lion Cubs expect to track a full-strength side pending the return of Max James from rib damage which forced him out of the British Under-21 Final.
James is due to line up for his Championship club Edinburgh on Friday, whilst reserve Vinnie Foord has emerged unscathed from a couple of alarming crashes since joining Poole in the second tier, and he will look to build on his paid maximum last time out for the Cubs.
The Chargers are led by Jody Scott and captain Luke Killeen, whilst Jason Garrad is enjoying an excellent season and 15-year-old Ashton Vale moves into the top five with new averages in force.
There are two absentees for the visitors with Alex Spooner still not fit after ending last season on the sidelines, and the unattached Sam Woods comes in to guest at reserve.
Meanwhile Jason Garrad was injured at Berwick on Saturday and his place is taken by former Leicester rider Connor Coles as a guest.
Lion Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “This is a massive meeting with both sides unbeaten so far this season, so we need to give our all to win again.
“Oxford are a strong side again this year, but obviously we want to win on Sunday and get a good lead, because the aggregate points are going to be vital in the league standings as well, especially with there being no play-offs this year
“Going forward we will be looking to get the aggregate point from each of our four away meetings as a minimum after our home wins, and battling for away victories if we can.”
An added bonus for supporters on the day is six extra races to enjoy after the NDL clash with another fixture in the Midland Development League, as Leicester take on the Birmingham Bulls.
Gates open at 1.30pm with a reminder that Lions season ticket holders can gain entry for just £6. Regular prices are adults £14, concessions £12 and children aged 6-17 £1.
LEICESTER: Joe Thompson, Sonny Springer, Tom Spencer, Luke Crang, Max James, Arran Butcher, Vinnie Foord.
OXFORD: Jody Scott, Jacob Clouting, Connor Coles, Ashton Vale, Luke Killeen, Senna Summers, Sam Woods.
