GLASGOW boss Cami Brown admits his side will have to be at their “absolute best” to reach the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final.
The Allied Vehicles Tigers need to win by 11 points over Oxford to progress at Ashfield, live on BSN tonight.
It would be Glasgow’s third Grand Final in four seasons but Brown knows they are in for a tough night.
He said: “We need Ashfield to be packed out with our fans making it a wall of noise.
“It can be a very unique and special atmosphere at Ashfield. We need the boys to respond and find an extra gear to beat a very good team.
“It’s been a huge blow to lose Claus Vissing. He’s in that irreplaceable No.4 position.
“There’s nothing much we can do about that now. It’s just the luck of the game really. Hopefully this time we can compensate for him in the best way possible. Obviously the hope is that we can reach the Grand Final and he’d be fit.
“But I’m pleased with the attitude of the team. We have a really potent top four now in Chris Harris, Ban Basso, Vadim Tarasenko and Tom Brennan.
“We will need them to be at their absolute best if we are to progress. We are in for a big night.”
The Cheetahs won their home fixture 50-40 at Cowley and they lead the group standings by two points, meaning just the aggregate point tonight would be enough for them to qualify for the Grand Final against Poole.
That means the visitors need 41 race points to progress, whilst the Tigers’ job is not only to win the meeting but also to do enough to win on aggregate.
Glasgow operate rider replacement for the injured Claus Vissing but welcome reserve Ace Pijper back after recent injury, whilst Oxford use rider replacement for Jordan Jenkins who has been ruled out after a crash at Cowley in the home win over Redcar.
Cheetahs boss Peter Schroeck said: “Glasgow have come on really strong in the later stages of the campaign and from our visit there last month we know how capable they are at home.
“But equally we’ve got the firepower to do the job required and I have every faith in the team’s ability from one to eight to get the job done.
“We often referece the regeneration story associated with Oxford Speedway and the success of the club off-track. But now we’re solely focused on the efforts and outcomes on it and a place in the Grand Final would be a fantastic reward for everyone connected to the rebirth of this great club.
“We’re gutted to be travelling without Jordan, but there’s no doubt in our mind we can still get the 41 points needed to guarantee our spot against Poole.”
GLASGOW: Chris Harris, Tom Brennan, Vadim Tarasenko, Claus Vissing R/R, Benjamin Basso, Lee Complin, Ace Pijper, Jack Smith (no.8).
OXFORD: Sam Masters, Jordan Jenkins R/R, Cameron Heeps, Lewis Kerr, Scott Nicholls, Henry Atkins, Ashton Boughen, Luke Killeen (no.8).
Words by Holeshot Media.
Images by Taylor Lanning.