Lions to play their best cards against Aces tonight

LEICESTER Lions are hoping to make it two wins in a week with tonight’s visit of the Belle Vue Aces to the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park, writes Alan Jones.

It has been a mixed start to the season for the Leicester team.

After a narrow 47-42 win at home on the opening night against King’s Lynn Stars, the Lions lost their next three matches, including last week away against tonight’s visitors.

However, a much needed away win at Birmingham on Monday has raised their confidence levels ahead of facing Belle Vue.

That night in Manchester, the Aces made the best of the conditions on a rain-affected track to win by a comfortable 18 points.

After the match, Lions team manager Stewart Dickson said: “Belle Vue adapted to the conditions better than us, certainly after mid-meeting.

“We lost a couple of silly points out on track and you lose your momentum.

“Your heads go down and it’s difficult to keep the heads up when the guys are soaking wet, covered in mud – it’s no fun out there.”

While Belle Vue will be looking to complete the double over Leicester and the possibility of an additional bonus match point awarded to the team winning both home and away matches, the Lions will see it as an opportunity to build upon Monday’s 43-29 victory at Birmingham.

Dickson experimented with a change of riding order in the Premiership fixture at Birmingham by switching Ryan Douglas to partner Max Fricke as the opening pairing.

Richard Lawson moved into the middle alongside Luke Becker and Sam Masters occupied the number five berth in the team.

The moves strengthened Leicester’s chances of outscoring Birmingham and the reshuffle worked to good effect.

However, there was no plan to continue with the idea and the riders will revert back to their original numbers tonight, which is thought to be the best arrangement for home fixtures.

Leicester Lions: 1. Max Fricke, 2. Richard Lawson, 3. Sam Masters, 4. Luke Becker, 5. Ryan Douglas, 6. Drew Kemp and 7. Joe Thompson.

Belle Vue Aces: 1. Brady Kurtz, 2. Norick Blodorn, 3. Jaimon Lidsey, 4. Ben Cook, 5. Dan Bewley, 6. Connor Mountain and 7. Connor Bailey.