OXFORD boss Peter Schroeck is “prepared for anything” ahead of their crucial play-off decider.
The Cheetahs face Scunthorpe tonight (live on BSN) with a place in the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final against Poole, the prize awaiting the winners on aggregate.
A 46-44 win at the Eddie Wright Raceway last Friday gave Oxford control, but their riders have been warned against complacency as the Scorpions look to respond.
Dan Gilkes guests for the home side in place of the injured Jordan Jenkins, whilst Jody Scott gets the nod at reserve in place of Adam Roynon, whilst Sam Masters and Ashton Boughen have been declared fit despite crashing out of the CLRC at Redcar last weekend.
Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “It was a brilliant performance from the boys to come back and win at Scunthorpe and it’s far preferable to go into our home leg two points up rather than, for example, 12 points down.
“But we’re not taking anything for granted. This is speedway and you need to be prepared for anything. Scunthorpe will try to come back at us – every team at this stage of the season is giving their absolute all.
“The balance of the team was right at Scunthorpe, so we’ve stuck with the same seven riders. We’ll see how the first five or six races go and then see what we need to do.”
Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s only half-time and there are another 15 races to go. On paper, many would say Oxford are the favourites to progress to the final, but speedway is not raced on paper.
“Speedway can be unpredictable and our riders will put in 110 per cent, and who knows what will happen?”
OXFORD: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps, Ashton Boughen, Dan Gilkes, Scott Nicholls, Luke Killeen, Jody Scott.
SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft, Connor Mountain, Simon Lambert, Jake Allen, Kyle Howarth, Nathan Ablitt, Luke Harrison.
Please note: All subscribers to Wednesday 11th September's double-stream from Oxford and Poole automatically have access to tonight's stream from Oxford, unless a £3 refund was requested.
Stream live here.
Words by Holeshot Media.
Images by Taylor Lanning.