SHEFFIELD are aiming to get back to winning ways and continue their current home run of form when they kickstart a busy August schedule against Leicester on Thursday (7.30pm).
The Tru7 Group Tigers face seven key fixtures between now and the end of the month as they bid to secure their place in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-offs for a fourth consecutive year.
Their recent mini winning streak came to an end at King’s Lynn on Monday, but they did still collect the aggregate point to again close the gap on league leaders Ipswich.
The Tigers are on a run of six straight home successes though - a sequence which restarted against Thursday’s opponents back in May.
Leicester themselves will arrive in South Yorkshire on the back of their biggest win of the season which saw them beat Belle Vue 55-35 last Thursday to move them within a single point of the top four.
That has led to many anticipating a keenly-fought contest against the Lions, but Tigers’ favourite Josh Pickering, who has scored paid 25 points in his last two Owlerton outings, is backing his side to put in another big performance on home shale.
“We were all disappointed, and a little bit annoyed, after Monday, but that’s gone now and we focus on this next one,” Pickering said.
“It’s going to be tough because Leicester have got some great, quality riders and I hope I don’t jinx things but I just think we’ll have too much for them around Sheffield.
“You know me, I always believe we can go out there and get the result we want.
“But we need to go out there and do a lot better than we did at King’s Lynn on Monday that’s for sure and if we all ride how we have been doing at home of late, then I think we can do it.”
For the second week running, Sheffield will operate Rider Replacement at No.2 for Tai Woffinden whilst a slight riding order switch sees Pickering move to No.4 with captain Kyle Howarth moved to No.3.
Turnstiles open at 6pm and admission is £23 adults, £21 concessions (over 65s and students - both with evidence), £1 kids (up to and including age 17) whilst all under-5s are admitted free of charge.
Supporters are also reminded that the Carvery Restaurant, Panorama Room and Snack Bar will all be open as usual.
The club will also be holding their annual collection for the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund giving supporters the opportunity to donate throughout the course of the night.
SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Tai Woffinden R/R, Kyle Howarth, Josh Pickering, Chris Holder, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes. LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Richard Lawson, Sam Masters, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Craig Cook, Sam Hagon.
