Crystal Palace Under-18s host Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday at the Academy in a pivotal clash in the U18s Premier League South title race. Here’s everything you need to know.
The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Saturday (14th February), with coverage beginning at 10:45 GMT ahead of a 11:00 GMT kick-off – click HERE to find out more and subscribe.
Supporters can follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Highlights and extended reaction will be available on Palace TV+.
It has been a landmark spell for Palace Under-18s.
A commanding 5-0 victory over Birmingham City propelled the young Eagles into second place in the U18s Premier League South, before a dramatic 2-1 win over Stevenage secured a first FA Youth Cup quarter-final appearance in more than 15 years.
Momentum is building across both league and cup competitions, with performances striking the balance Javier Alonso has continually demanded: attacking fluency matched by defensive discipline.
That blend was evident against Stevenage. Palace took control midway through the first half, striking twice in quick succession. Stuart Oduro opened the scoring after being expertly threaded through by Jasper Judd, and moments later Benji Casey’s driven delivery forced Alfie Thornett into turning the ball into his own net.
Despite dominating possession, Palace were pulled back before the interval when Lenny Brown rounded Lucca Benetton to halve the deficit.
After the break, the young Eagles reasserted control, sustaining pressure deep inside the Stevenage half. Donte Martin and David Angibeaud both went close, while Woodford was called into action to keep the hosts within touching distance. A nervy finale followed, but Palace showed their resolve to see out the contest and confirm progression.
In the league, Palace sit level on 27 points with Tottenham, with both sides having played 14 matches. Chelsea lead on 33 with a game in hand, while Brighton remain just behind on 26, albeit having played one more.
Saturday’s fixture carries added significance. Palace boast the division’s most prolific attack with 48 goals – comfortably the highest tally in the league – but have conceded 25, the most among the top four. In a title race that may be decided by the finest of margins, goal difference could yet prove crucial.
The schedule remains demanding too, with a Premier League Cup quarter-final against Category Two side Peterborough looming next week – further incentive to maintain momentum at a decisive stage of the season.
Tottenham arrive in South London in strong form. Three consecutive victories have propelled them into third place in the league, level on points with Palace.
Spurs have rediscovered rhythm after an inconsistent start to the campaign. Following an opening-day 2-2 draw with West Brom, results fluctuated – victories over Norwich, West Ham and Birmingham interspersed with defeats to Palace (3-2) and Southampton (4-2). Since then, however, their domestic trajectory has been upward.
Across their recent run, Spurs have been particularly impressive defensively, recording four straight wins and clean sheets in league and cup competition, defeating Fulham (5-0), Aston Villa (1-0), Norwich (3-0) and Bristol City (3-0) – 12-0 on aggregate.
Their FA Youth Cup campaign, however, ended early with a 5-2 defeat to Brighton, but they responded well domestically and progressed strongly in the Under-18 Premier League Cup.
In Europe, Spurs made a fast start in the UEFA Youth League, winning their opening three fixtures before suffering setbacks against FC Copenhagen and Paris Saint-Germain. A recent 5-1 defeat to Real Betis brought their continental campaign to a close, and they now return to league action looking to respond.
The reverse fixture earlier this season saw Palace claim a thrilling 3-2 victory at Tottenham, with Benji Casey netting his first hat-trick of the campaign.
Spurs expected XI: D. Thompson; Tingey, Byrne, Hardy, Upson; Tye Hall (c), Williams-Barnett, Thompson; Elliott-Parris, Olusesi, Adewole.
Dylan Thompson is expected to start in goal. Tyler Tingey could partner Elijah Upson at centre-back, with Harry Byrne and Malachi Hardy providing additional defensive options.
Captain Tye Hall anchors the midfield, potentially joined by the influential Luca Williams-Barnett should he feature for the Under-18s.
In attack, Tynan Thompson, Reiss Elliott-Parris and Miracle Adewole offer pace and direct threat in the forward areas.
Tottenham have won eight, drawn three and lost three of their 14 league fixtures. They have scored 37 goals – the third-highest tally behind Palace and Chelsea – and boast one of the division’s strongest defensive records, conceding just 17 (second only to Chelsea’s 12).
Their recent run of four consecutive wins and clean sheets underlines their balance at both ends of the pitch. However, the 5-1 defeat away to Real Betis in midweek may test their response and resilience.
For Palace, the equation is clear: continue the attacking output while tightening defensive discipline. With both sides level on points and boasting title ambitions, Saturday’s contest could prove a defining moment in the race.
Armend Muslika has been Spurs’ most prolific league scorer this season, registering nine goals in just eight appearances. A clinical finisher with sharp movement, he provides a focal point in attack – though competition for places means he is not always guaranteed to lead the line.
One of the Academy’s standout talents, Luca Williams-Barnett scored 19 goals in 20 U18 Premier League South appearances last season. Now featuring regularly for the U21s, he has contributed five goals in nine matches at that level. Across U18 and U21 football since 2023, he has amassed 28 goals and 13 assists in 37 games. He has also made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup. While unlikely to feature, his inclusion would significantly raise Spurs’ attacking threat.
In fine form, Reiss Elliott-Parris has four goals in his last three league games, including a hat-trick against Fulham. Originally a centre-back before transitioning into attack, he combines physicality with intelligent movement. A product of Spurs’ Academy since Under-9 level, he remains a versatile and dangerous presence.
Jamie Carr took charge of Tottenham’s Under-18s at the end of November.
The 34-year-old joined from Manchester City’s Academy, where he spent seven years developing elite youth talent, most recently as Under-16s Coach and assistant with the Under-18s.
A former defender born and raised in Dublin, Carr began his coaching career at Reading before a stint working with young players in India. Since arriving at Hotspur Way, he has overseen a clear upturn in domestic form.
Away from football, Carr is no stranger to endurance challenges – completing six ultra-marathons in six days across the Sahara Desert and a remarkable 3,000-mile solo row across the Atlantic Ocean.
His resilience and competitive drive are traits now reflected in a Spurs side finding consistency at a crucial stage of the season.
The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Saturday (14th February), with coverage beginning at 10:45 GMT ahead of a 11:00 GMT kick-off – click HERE to find out more and subscribe.
Supporters can follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Highlights and extended reaction will be available on Palace TV+.
Crystal Palace Under-18s v Tottenham Hotspur Under-18s
