LEICESTER race their final regular home ROWE Motor Oil Premiership match of the season when they face Birmingham at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park on Thursday (7.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions were emphatic winners at Perry Barr on Monday, and therefore any sort of victory in the reverse fixture will see them add three league points to their total as they build up to the play-offs.
Having been successful in the last-ever meeting to take place at Perry Barr, Thursday will be another emotional occasion as it will be Birmingham’s final senior fixture.
The Brummies have been racing in the modern era since 2007, and they have been regular opponents of the Lions in 2019-2022 in the Championship and then again from last year in the Premiership.
Despite the visitors being rock bottom of the table with only three wins all season, and having lost their last ten in total, the Lions will be fully aware that two of Birmingham’s best performances this year have come at the Hydroscand Arena.
In March, the Brummies were arguably unlucky not to win the second leg of a KO Cup quarter-final although Leicester were already comfortably through after a big win at Perry Barr.
But in May, Birmingham did pull off a shock away victory when they were 45-44 winners thanks largely to outstanding displays from Paco Castagna and Jonas Jeppesen.
Those two riders remain in the Brummies team, which is unchanged from Monday night with Simon Lambert continuing as a guest for the injured Ben Barker, whilst former Lions rider Sam Hagon takes the Rising Star berth.
Leicester also name a full-strength line-up for what will be their final opportunity for home track action prior to the play-offs next month.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “It doesn’t really bother me who we are racing before the play-offs, the important thing is that we keep on scoring consistently, pick up more points and keep the confidence up.
“We want to win these last two matches and get to 42 points and see where that leaves us, and then we will face whoever we face in the semi-finals.
“There is a lot to look forward to, and I honestly think we are stronger now than we were this time last year.
“Obviously there will be a tinge of sadness on Thursday because whilst I’m sure Monday night was more significant for Birmingham with it being the last meeting at their home, this will be the last time we see a Brummies team on track at least for the time being, and I do wish them nothing but the best.”
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.
BIRMINGHAM: Tobiasz Musielak, Jonas Jeppesen, Keynan Rew, Paco Castagna, Matej Zagar, Simon Lambert, Sam Hagon.
