LEICESTER get their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off campaign underway on Monday with a massive meeting against Sheffield at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park.
The Watling JCB Lions stage the first leg of the semi-final tie, and they will be looking to build an advantage to take into the return at Owlerton on Thursday.
Both sides go into the semi-final in excellent form, and they know a place in the Grand Final against Ipswich awaits the aggregate winners.
Leicester superbly won their KO Cup semi-final against Sheffield home and away this season en route to that item of silverware, whilst the aggregate victories between the sides in league competition have been shared one apiece.
There have been team changes for Sheffield since the last time they visited the Hydroscand Arena, with former Lions racer Nick Morris back in the sport and now lining up for the Tigers, whilst Jye Etheridge has come in at reserve.
Leicester are also at full strength, led by skipper Max Fricke who completed the World Championship series in eighth place overall – one short of achieving automatic qualification for 2026.
Fricke, who was edged out by Robert Lambert in Vojens on Saturday, now awaits news of the three (or possibly four) nominated picks, with his form certainly justifying selection.
The Australian has been an outstanding No.1 for the Lions, holding the top average in the Premiership, whilst fellow countryman Ryan Douglas has also made significant gains on his average this year.
But Lions boss Stewart Dickson has stressed it will take an all-round effort over the two legs to see them progress to another Grand Final, with the form of Drew Kemp at reserve – given that he is now a Championship No.1 – also likely to be crucial.
Dickson said: “I don’t think there’s a lot between the two teams, and whatever has happened before with us winning five out of six, or them narrowly taking the aggregate point the last time we met, really goes out of the window. It doesn’t make any difference this week.
“I know it sounds boring, but we need all seven riders turning up in both legs and doing the job they are capable of. If that happens, then I do rate our chances as pretty decent.
“We need to try and build up some sort of lead, although I won’t put a specific figure on it, but we do need a lead to take there on Thursday.
“I’m sure there will be a great atmosphere, and the Sheffield fans will travel in numbers, so I’d urge the Leicester crowd to get right behind us as they always do, and make plenty of noise because the riders do respond to it.”
Supporters should note that normal admission and programme prices apply for Monday’s meeting, although season tickets are not valid for this play-off fixture.
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.
SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Leon Flint, Chris Holder, Nick Morris, Josh Pickering, Anders Rowe, Jye Etheridge.
