PREVIEW: Top spot “not out of the question” for Cheetahs ahead of Glasgow trip

The Monarch Oxford Cheetahs must end Glasgow Tigers’ unbeaten Cab Direct Championship record at home on Friday if they are to finish the season at the top of the nine-team table.

Following Poole Pirates’ 20-point triumph over Edinburgh Monarchs on Wednesday, the Dorset outfit climbed above Cheetahs to move onto 35 points from their 16 regular season fixtures.

Cheetahs conclude their programmed meetings on Friday when visiting play-off bound Glasgow and will start heat one two league points behind Pirates who hold the superior points difference.

It means Peter Schroeck’s side are required to end Tigers’ 101-day unbeaten run at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium – an achievement Cheetahs’ Team Manager believes is wholly possible.

“We’ve overcome some huge challenges this season,” said Schroeck. “But I’d say this is one of our biggest, and the boys are bang up for tackling it head on.

“Glasgow’s home record speaks for itself and they’ve got a strong team from top to bottom. They’ll enter the meeting full of confidence just like ourselves, so the ingredients make for what should be a fantastic meeting.

“Finishing the season top of the league would complete part of this club’s incredible story and its rise from the ashes. There is an advantage also as you get to pick your play-off opponents, but we fear no team and believe in our ability to match any opposing one to seven at this level.

“Before we can think about any of that, we have one final job to do and preparation has mirrored every other meeting we’ve started this year.”

Schroeck has announced an unchanged side from Tuesday’s home win over Scunthorpe. Schroeck has made one change to Cheetahs’ riding order, though, with Jordan Jenkins stepping up to number two while Cameron Heeps will partner with Lewis Kerr at number three.

Tapes-up at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium is at 7.30pm.

Glasgow Tigers: Chris Harris, Tom Brennan, Benjamin Basso, Claus Vissing R/R, Vadim Tarasenko, Lee Complin, Ace Pijper.

Monarch Cheetahs: Sam Masters, Jordan Jenkins, Cameron Heeps, Lewis Kerr, Scott Nicholls, Henry Atkins, Ashton Boughen.

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