LEICESTER race on home shale for the first time in three weeks when Oxford Spires travel to the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park, tonight.
A win in front of the Eurosport TV cameras would take the Lions back into the play-off places and they are keen to make amends for two home defeats already this season.
Oxford have had a number of close home meetings in their first season back in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership, including a dramatic 46-44 win over Belle Vue on Thursday, as well as victory at Birmingham.
They are led by Australian Champion Rohan Tungate and former Lions skipper Chris Harris while Erik Riss, Charles Wright and Craig Cook have all had spells in Lions’ colours.
Cook’s presence at reserve could be a key factor – whilst Rising Star Ashton Boughen spent last season with the Lion Cubs.
After shuffling the pack at Owlerton, Leicester revert to their established riding order with Ryan Douglas back at number five and Sam Hagon making his home debut.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “We can’t be losing any more meetings at home, regardless of who it’s against, The bottom line is that at the moment we aren’t getting all seven riders firing at the same time, and that is costing us.
“Craig Cook could be a dangerman, we have to be aware of what he can do. But this is all about us and what we need to do. If we ride to our capabilities it’s a meeting we should be winning.”
Leicester: Max Fricke, Richard Lawson, Sam Masters, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Drew Kemp, Sam Hagon.
Oxford: Rohan Tungate, Erik Riss, Charles Wright, Maciej Janowski, Chris Harris, Craig Cook, Ashton Boughen.
Meeting live today (Monday) on Eurosport and discovery+.
Words by George Dodds.
Images by Taylor Lanning.