Preview: Sheffield Sharks vs Manchester Giants

Basketball's War of the Roses returns on Saturday night as Manchester Giants head across the Pennines to face Sheffield Sharks in the British Basketball League.

The Giants will be out to right some wrongs following a disappointing home defeat to Cheshire Phoenix on Thursday night - although head coach Brian Semonian will be keen to see his players build on the character they showed to briefly threaten a fightback heading into the final quarter at the NBPC.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season, with both eager to secure two competition points which could see their season head further in the right direction.

Below, we’ve compiled everything you need to know ahead of the fixture.

Current form

Thursday's defeat leaves the Giants with a season record of 2-7. Coach Semonian's side sit on four points - six adrift of Saturday's hosts, who have won five and lost five of their first 10 outings in 2023/24.

The Sharks will look to return to the court with a bang after an 11-day absence, and it is sure to be a full-blooded encounter in South Yorkshire.

Despite a tough start to the season, it is the Giants who have edged recent meetings with Sheffield, winning three of the last five encounters.