LEICESTER, England (Interstat) — The London Lions visit the Leicester Riders on Thursday afternoon at Mattioli Arena in a Super League Basketball matchup that pits the league’s top team against a club fighting to climb the standings.

London (33-18) enters the game riding a wave of dominance, having won nine of its last 10 contests. The Lions defeated Newcastle 88-69 on Sunday behind a double-double from center Aaryn Rai, who posted 10 points and 11 rebounds in 18 minutes. Rai has been a steady force lately, recording three double-doubles in his past six games, including an 11-point, 10-rebound effort against Sheffield on April 12 and a 12-point, nine-rebound performance at Surrey on April 25. The 6-foot-8 forward also added four assists Sunday, giving the Lions a versatile interior presence.

Leicester (14-18) has been inconsistent but showed its ceiling with a 97-87 win at Sheffield on Sunday. Guard Kedrian Johnson erupted for 34 points, two rebounds, three assists and a block in 38 minutes, continuing a hot stretch. Johnson has scored at least 15 points in seven of his last eight games, including a 31-point, seven-rebound outing at Newcastle on April 24 and a 23-point, five-assist showing against Surrey on April 10. The Riders, however, have alternated wins and losses over their past seven games, beating playoff-caliber teams but also losing to Cheshire and Manchester.

The Lions have dominated the season series, winning all four meetings. London won 95-78 on Feb. 20, 83-75 on Dec. 27, 82-70 on Nov. 2, and 79-72 on Sept. 19. Each victory came by at least seven points, with London’s defense holding Leicester below 80 points in three of those contests.

For Leicester to pull the upset, it will need Johnson to continue his scoring barrage and get support from forward Flynn Raffett, who had 21 points and six rebounds Sunday. London’s backcourt, led by guard Shavar Reynolds (10 points, 10 assists vs. Newcastle) and swingman Chaundee Brown (eight points, four rebounds), provides balanced scoring.

Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. local time.