LEICESTER bid to get their league campaign back on track when they host Sheffield at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park on Thursday (7.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions are still second in the table but the chasing pack have begun to close in after the Lions suffered heavy defeats at Belle Vue and Sheffield last week.
Leicester are very much outsiders for the aggregate point in their latest clash with the Tigers, as they trail 57-33 after last week’s loss at Owlerton.
But it is a win on the night which is top priority, and in that sense the Lions are pleased to be back at home where they remain unbeaten in 2026.
With no news as yet on a permanent replacement for the retired Kyle Howarth, manager Stewart Dickson has called up Ipswich’s Danish racer Kevin Juhl Pedersen to make a guest appearance at reserve, after he provided plenty of entertainment on his recent visits with the Witches.
Elsewhere the Lions are at full strength, although a change of riding order sees Nick Morris take the No.5 position with skipper Sam Masters moving to No.3.
Sheffield have issues at the top of their team with No.1 Jack Holder on the long-term injury list whilst captain Josh Pickering has been advised to take a week off due to the after-effects of a heavy crash in Heat 15 of the reverse fixture, and Chris Holder is required to race in Poland.
The Tigers bring in Ipswich duo Richard Lawson and Tom Brennan to guest, with rider replacement in operation for Pickering.
Dickson said: “I realise Sheffield have not got who they would normally have, but at the same time we have a meeting to win, and we just need to approach it in the way we do every other meeting.
“I don’t think last week’s results will really affect our position in the league, and I feel it’s good to have a home meeting to look to get things going once again.
“The most important thing for me is not to lose at home, not that we write off any away matches, but for some of the boys who had indifferent performances last week having a home meeting will be good for them.
“You never know as far as the aggregate is concerned and we might get excited halfway through the meeting if we happen to be in a big lead, but that’s not what I’m thinking of at present because first and foremost it’s the home win that matters.”
For supporters unable to attend the meeting, it will be live streamed on Lions TV with passes available from: https://www.leicesterlionstv.com/ .
LEICESTER: Ryan Douglas, Drew Kemp, Sam Masters, Dan Thompson, Nick Morris, Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Joe Thompson.
SHEFFIELD: Richard Lawson, Anders Rowe, Tom Brennan, Leon Flint, Josh Pickering R/R, Jye Etheridge, Luke Killeen.
