LEICESTER are expecting their biggest home test of the season when King’s Lynn visit the Hydroscand Arena in what promises to be a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership belter on Thursday (7.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions are second in the league table after wins in their last three matches, including last week’s home and away successes against Ipswich.
But their opponents on Thursday are also on a high after a sensational victory at Sheffield – when they took four successive 5-1s in the closing stages - moved them up to third.
The meeting also sees the first return to Beaumont Park of one of Leicester’s all-time greats with Australian ace Max Fricke leading the Stars at No.1.
Fricke spent three years with the Lions, captaining them to KO Cup success in 2025 as well as two Premiership Grand Finals, before making the move to King’s Lynn last winter.
Ironically he was below full fitness after a crash in the Wroclaw GP when the Lions won 47-43 at the Adrian Flux Arena last month, a result which may yet prove crucial in the race for play-off qualification.
But he and the Stars will be keen to turn the tables on Thursday, where Fricke is guaranteed a warm reception from Lions fans – at least until he goes up against the in-form Ryan Douglas in Heat 1!
The King’s Lynn team is not all about Fricke, though, as they also include last year’s Lion Cubs sensation Cooper Rushen who at the age of 16 has had a stunning debut season at professional level, as well as the ever-popular Chris Harris who captains the side.
Stars manager Rob Lyon has nominated an interesting riding order which sees Czech Republic international Jan Kvech racing at No.2 – possibly in a bid to counter the threat of the Lions’ own Dan Thompson.
There is mixed injury news for the Lions, who have Kyle Howarth back in business after a fortnight out with an ankle injury.
However, Nick Morris has been ruled out as he continues to struggle with a back problem, and the Lions will operate the rider replacement facility which has been placed at No.3.
Any kind of win on the night will give the Lions all three league points and would be a huge step towards the play-offs, and manager Stewart Dickson is calling on the home crowd to be the seventh rider.
Dickson said: “I think this meeting is set up to be an absolute humdinger, and it could well be our stiffest test at home so far this season.
“It’s an interesting line up from King’s Lynn with Jan Kvech at No.2, there’s no Nick Morris for us – and whilst his away form has been indifferent so far this season, his home scores have been decent.
“With only Kyle and our reserves allowed to take the RR rides we will need all six riders to be on top of their game.
“Let’s create a fantastic atmosphere on Thursday night as three points are up for grabs, which is definitely the target.
“I know King’s Lynn will arrive in confident mood after last week’s win at Sheffield, and I expect it to be a cracking meeting!”
For any supporters unable to attend the Hydroscand Arena in person, you can still follow the action via live streaming on Lions TV, available from: https://www.leicesterlionstv.com/ .
LEICESTER: Ryan Douglas, Dan Thompson, Nick Morris R/R, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.
KING’S LYNN: Max Fricke, Jan Kvech, Ben Cook, Cooper Rushen, Chris Harris, Jordan Jenkins, Jody Scott.
