LEICESTER head up the M1to Sheffield on Thursday with a place in the Premiership KO Cup Final in their hands – but still with a job to do to make it over the line.
The Watling JCB Lions put on a great performance at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park on Monday to record a 54-36 win, with Ryan Douglas scoring a hugely impressive paid maximum.
That result piles the pressure on the Tigers, who are the reigning Cup holders, but their record at Owlerton this season is one to be respected.
In five home matches so far in 2025 Sheffield have recorded scores of 61, 57 three times – all of which would be enough to take them through - and then a much closer 46 against Ipswich.
The recent history for the Lions in South Yorkshire, though, is encouraging, as last year they totalled scores of 40 and 45 at the venue, whilst in 2023 they won their first visit 46-44 before ironically suffering an 18-point defeat next time around.
A tense evening is certainly expected but the Lions can make their job easier by getting off to a good start and punishing any errors made by the Tigers.
Home boss Simon Stead has already spoken of the importance of the opening heats for his side, and 18 points was exactly the margin they turned around to win the Premiership title against Ipswich in 2023.
The line-ups are unchanged from Monday with maximum man Douglas again teaming up with former Sheffield stalwart Kyle Howarth in the middle-order, whilst Max Fricke and Luke Becker will kick things off in Heat 1.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “We will go to Sheffield in confident mood to try to hold on to 18 points, but we are under no illusions that this is still a difficult fixture.
“They are very good around their home track, and we know what they can do to teams there, so we need to start well on Thursday.
“How nice would it be to get to a Knockout Cup Final? It would be very good for everyone involved with the club, and that’s what we’ll be going for.”
The other KO Cup semi-final second leg is also scheduled for Thursday with Ipswich six points down going into their home match against King’s Lynn.
SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Anders Rowe, Josh Pickering, Lewis Kerr, Chris Holder, Justin Sedgmen, Leon Flint.
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.
