U21s Preview: Palace v Leeds United

Academy

21 Sept 2025

Crystal Palace Under-21s return to Sutton United’s VBS Community Stadium on Monday evening (22nd September, 19:00 BST) for a Premier League 2 clash with Leeds United under the lights.

Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here and will be sent at the point of sale as PDF print-at-home tickets.

Can't attend? This game will also be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Monday evening (19:00 BST) - click HERE to learn more about Palace TV+ and subscribe today!

Eagle-Eyed Review

Palace U21s have made a steady start to their Premier League 2 campaign, sitting sixth in the table with three points from two matches.

Darren Powell’s side remain unbeaten in the league, opening their season with an entertaining 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur — a match defined by a superb hat-trick from forward Zach Marsh — followed by a hard-fought 0-0 draw against West Brom.

While league form has been encouraging, the cup competitions have proven more challenging.

On Tuesday evening, the young Eagles suffered a 3-1 defeat away to League One opposition AFC Wimbledon in their second group-stage fixture of the EFL Trophy (Vertu Motors Group E).

Despite the result, Palace put in a spirited performance at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

A well-organised first half was undone by a goal deep into first-half stoppage time. Asher Agbinone kept Palace in the contest with a composed penalty to level the score, but two late goals from the hosts sealed the result and left Powell’s side bottom of the group on one point.

Leeds United U21s

Leeds U21s currently sit eighth in Premier League 2 with six points from their opening three fixtures.

The young Whites began their league campaign in style, securing a dominant 3-0 away win at Aston Villa. Captain Alfie Cresswell opened the scoring, with Harry Gray adding a brace – one in each half – to seal a convincing victory.

After the strong start, Leeds fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat at home to Ipswich Town, their first loss of the season in the league.

They bounced back with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Burnley U21s at Turf Moor. Louie Dudley put Leeds ahead before the hosts equalised just before half-time. Gray continued his impressive form, netting the winner with a smart backheel just after the hour mark.

The Yorkshire-based club lifted the inaugural National League Cup last season, defeating Sutton United 2-1 in the final on 29th April 2024.

However, this season’s title defence began with a setback, a 4-0 defeat away to Boston United.

Leeds responded in style as a Gray hat-trick inspired the club to a 3-1 victory over Scunthorpe United, earning their first points of the campaign in this season's competition.

In the EFL Trophy (Vertu Motors Group G), Scott Gardner’s side were narrowly beaten 2-1 by a strong and experienced Port Vale side.

After finishing 17th in Premier League 2 in 2024-25, the early signs this term are promising.

Team News

Goalkeeper Rory Mahady returned from international duty with Scotland to reclaim his place between the posts for the cup fixture against Scunthorpe United, with Darryl Ombang moving to the bench.

Head coach Gardner made a tactical adjustment for the National League Cup tie, introducing experienced midfielder Jonny Howson into the starting XI in place of Devon Brockie.

The change offered Leeds the flexibility to operate with a back three when out of possession.

Howson lined up at the heart of defence alongside Reuben Lopata-White and Louis Enahoro-Marcus, with Connor Douglas and Jayden Lienou providing width and support from the wing-back positions.

In midfield, captain Cresswell was joined by Ollie Pickles, Rhys Chadwick, and Josh McDonald, operating behind the in-form Gray, who continued to lead the line up front.

On the bench, the young Whites named a strong supporting cast including Ombang and Devon Brockie, as well as Under-18s regulars Louie Dudley, Lewis Pirie, Will Firth, and Logan White.

There was also a welcome return from injury for Harvey Vincent, who featured in the matchday squad for the first time this season.

Likely Line-Up

Mahady (GK), Douglas, Lienou, Enahoro-Marcus, Lopata-White, Howson, Chadwick, Cresswell (C), Gray (Pirie 90’), Pickles, McDonald.

Pre-Match Analysis

Leeds U21s have shown flashes of promise in the early stages of the 2025/26 campaign, but have struggled to build sustained momentum.

Since the heavy 4-0 defeat away at Boston in the National League Cup opener, the young Whites have followed a pattern of alternating wins and losses across all competitions.

In six matches so far, Leeds have conceded 13 goals and kept just one clean sheet — the opening-day victory against Aston Villa U21s in mid-August. Offensively, they’ve found the net 11 times, with striker Gray in particularly impressive form.

Despite their inconsistency, there are positive signs — particularly on the road. Leeds currently rank second in the Premier League 2 for away form, having recorded back-to-back victories on their travels.

The side have scored seven goals and conceded just once in those two away league fixtures.

Key Player - Harry Gray

Gray netted a sublime hat-trick against Scunthorpe United in the National League Cup.

He was shortlisted for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for August, after a strong start to the new campaign.

Gray hit the ground running in Premier League 2, opening his account with a superb brace in a 3–0 win away at Aston Villa U21s, before scoring the opener in a 3–2 defeat to Ipswich Town at Thorp Arch.

The 16-year-old rounded out his month by netting a late winner and providing an assist to seal a 2–1 victory over Burnley U21s at Turf Moor, helping the young Whites climb up to eighth place after three games.

The Gaffer

Scott Gardner took interim charge of Leeds U21s in November 2024, following the departure of Michael Skubala to Lincoln City.

A former Academy graduate and first-team player, Gardner brought a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the club. He had represented England at youth level and had been a familiar presence at Thorp Arch for over a decade.

Gardner began his coaching journey with Leeds in 2012 and went on to work across multiple age groups, including a successful spell in charge of the U18s.

His long-standing association with the club and commitment to youth development made him a strong and steady influence for the next generation of Leeds talent.

Match Details

Crystal Palace Under-21s v Leeds United Under-21s

Monday, 22nd September
19:00 BST
Premier League 2
VBS Community Stadium
Buy Tickets Here

Ticket Prices

Adults: £5
Over 65s: £1
Under 18s: £1
Academy Founder Members: Free Of Charge (FOC) 1 per AFM
Personal Assistant: FOC* Booked with ambulant supporter

Tickets will be sent at the point of sale as PDF print-at-home tickets.

How to Follow

Tickets for the game at Sutton are available to purchase by clicking here.

This game will also be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Monday evening - click HERE to learn more about Palace TV+ and subscribe today!

Can’t watch live? Stay up to date with live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page and look out for the full match report on our Academy news section shortly after the final whistle.

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