Loughborough Lightning and London Pulse clash in Saturday's Netball Super League preliminary final, with the winner advancing to face AO Manchester Thunder at Co Op Live Arena on June 20. The Lightning enter on the back of a commanding 77-57 semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest, while the defending champions suffered a narrow 60-56 defeat to Manchester Thunder in the major semi-final.

Former England head coach Tracey Neville believes Alice Harvey's return as goalkeeper provides Loughborough's decisive edge. Neville noted the Lightning have historically beaten Manchester Thunder with Harvey in the side, calling her the player who could carry them to the title. Despite this advantage, Neville stressed that Saturday's eliminator makes it "anybody's game" given the finals pressure.

London Pulse finished second in the regular season with 12 wins from 14 matches, though Neville questioned whether their defensive intensity matched their accomplished play. Nottingham Forest's semi-final exit marked a missed opportunity, with the newcomers fielding a much-changed lineup that appeared disjointed against the Lightning.

The preliminary final represents a do-or-die scenario where one team's season ends while the other keeps championship hopes alive. Neville's assessment suggests experience and consistency favor the Lightning, but Pulse's semi-final performance proved they remain genuine contenders despite the setback.