CHESTER Jets are geared for what head coach Paul Smith calls the 'winner takes all' match next week.
They lost the outright lead of the BBL when Newcastle Eagles beat Sheffield Sharks on Wednesday, and Jets have to travel to Tyneside a week tonight for the game which could decide the title.
Both teams are in top form and Jets go into the games at Thames Valley Tigers tomorrow (7pm) and at home to Leicester Riders on Sunday (5.30pm)
on the back of four successive wins, including Sunday's final-quarter demolition of Plymouth Raiders.
The fact that Newcastle are at home next Friday probably makes them favourites and they are expecting a crowd of around 6,000 for the game.
Said Smith: 'It shows just how strong the Jets are. We play in front of around 500 and the Eagles have thousands watching them, yet we are still competing at the top of the league.
'My players will love the atmosphere up there. It will remind them of the big crowds they used to play in front of back in the USA.'
Before that, though, Jets expect two tough games this weekend. Both opponents are battling for a play-off place and Smith is not fooled by the poor performance he saw from the Tigers in defeat at Newcastle last Saturday.
'To be honest, they were awful, but they were without one of their top players, Josiah James. I don't expect them to be like that on Saturday.
'Leicester will also be tough but I believe we are playing our best basketball of the season at the moment. We overwhelmed Plymouth in the final quarter because we were patient and kept to our game plan. Before that it had been a very close game.'
Jets will be boosted this weekend by the return of John Simpson from injury. Added Smith: 'John will definitely get some minutes. We are glad to have him back. The other players love having him in the squad.'
