The Sheffield Tigers host the Belle Vue Aces tonight (Thursday) in a Premiership KO Cup tie which is fascinatingly poised ahead of the second leg.
The visitors won 49-41 at the National Speedway Stadium on Easter Monday and will look to defend that advantage and end the Tigers’ run of reaching successive Cup Finals.
It will also be a first home meeting of the season for Sheffield, who have so far raced on the road three times in 2024.
Manager Simon Stead said: “These War of the Roses clashes are always something special. They throw up some real competitive action and it’s always a fixture that’s great to be a part of.
“With just eight points separating us ahead of the second leg, it’s one of those deficits that we know we’re more than capable of overturning at home.
“The boys are really itching to get some competitive laps under their belt around Owlerton once again, and with the incentive of a Cup semi-final place on the line in addition, I’m excited to see what the lads can do.”
Aces star Jaimon Lidsey said: “I don’t believe that Monday’s result was a fluke. Sheffield have a great team, there’s no denying that, but we also have a great team as well.
“Ben [Cook] and Connor [Mountain] have settled in very quickly and the vibe in the camp is really good, really positive, and I believe that showed on Monday.
“The confidence is up having beaten them, and that’s something we need to build on. We know they won’t want to lose at home, and we’ll need to work hard to protect our advantage.”
SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Tai Woffinden, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes.
BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Norick Blodorn, Jaimon Lidsey, Ben Cook, Dan Bewley, Connor Mountain, Connor Bailey.
SCB Referee: Seth Perkin
Words by British Speedway – Image by Ian Charles
