It’s an Academy double-header this weekend, with Crystal Palace’s Under-18s and Under-21s both in action against Ipswich Town and Leeds United respectively.
Javier Alonso’s U18s travel to Ipswich Town Training Ground on Saturday (17th October, 12:00 BST) for an U18 Premier League South clash, before Darren Powell’s U21s visit Leeds United on Sunday (18th October, 12:00 BST) in Premier League 2.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the weekend…
After an unbeaten start to the season, Powell’s U21s have lost three consecutive games across Premier League 2, the EFL Trophy and Premier League International Cup.
Palace began their league campaign with a goalless draw at Arsenal before beating Aston Villa 2-0, but were left frustrated by Blackburn Rovers last time out, losing 1-0 despite creating numerous chances and missing two penalties.
The Young Eagles sit 18th in the 26/27 table on four points, inside the cross-cut play-off places reserved for teams finishing 17th to 25th. Sunday offers an opportunity to return to winning ways against Leeds.
Premier League 2 sees Category One academies compete over 20 regular-season matches, with the top 16 progressing to the play-offs and teams finishing 17th to 25th entering the cross-cut play-offs.
Alonso’s U18s, meanwhile, have enjoyed a recent upturn in form after a difficult start to the campaign.
The Young Eagles came from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Fulham before the international break, with Jamar Lee, Oladotun Lamidi and Donte Martin on target. Lamidi and Martin were both nominated for September’s Goal of the Month.
They returned to action with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Leeds in the U18 Premier League Cup last weekend.
Martin opened the scoring with an acrobatic finish before Raihaan Anderson doubled the lead with a close-range header. Martin then chipped the advancing ‘keeper on the hour to seal the win and keep Palace’s title defence alive.
The U18 Premier League South is the top regional division for Category One academies, with the two regional winners meeting to determine the national champion.
Ipswich have made a mixed start to 2026/27, winning three and losing three of their opening six league games to sit ninth in the 16-team U18 Premier League South.
After opening with defeat to Fulham, the Tractor Boys bounced back with three consecutive victories, including a 3-1 win over Arsenal and a 6-2 triumph against AFC Bournemouth, before beating Birmingham City 3-0.
Brentford ended that run with a 3-0 victory on the eve of the international break, before Brighton inflicted the same scoreline on Ipswich in their most recent league outing, with Finn Dzekawong, Chris Condy and substitute Jacob Parsons on target.
Ipswich have also struggled in the Premier League Cup, losing both opening fixtures to end their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. They were also beaten on penalties by Walsham-le-Willows in the Suffolk FA Premier Cup on Tuesday, after substitute Reuben Carr scored in a 1-1 draw.
Leeds head into Sunday’s meeting sitting 10th in Premier League 2, with seven points from their opening four games.
Scott Gardner’s side have beaten Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion, drawn with Middlesbrough and suffered a narrow defeat at Liverpool.
They have also enjoyed an eventful EFL Trophy campaign, opening with a 4-3 victory over Yorkshire rivals Barnsley. Callum Mills hit a hat-trick as Leeds raced into a four-goal lead before holding off a late comeback.
Leeds were unable to build on that result on Tuesday, however, losing 3-2 at League Two side Oldham Athletic despite taking the lead through Mills and Carrick Njinko.
They have also beaten Stockport County U21s in the Premier League Cup…
Ipswich forward Chris Atherton has made an explosive start to the season, scoring five goals in the U18 Premier League so far.
The Republic of Ireland youth international joined the Tractor Boys from Chelsea over the summer, having previously made 32 senior appearances for Glenavon.
He first made headlines at the Northern Irish club in September 2022, becoming the youngest senior footballer in the UK at 13 years and 329 days old.
For Leeds, Carrick Njinko has emerged as one of their most dangerous attacking threats.
The versatile 18-year-old can operate on either wing or through the middle and enjoyed a prolific August, scoring four goals in two Premier League 2 appearances, including a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion.
He continued that form into September with two goals in a 4-4 draw against Middlesbrough, making him one to watch when Powell’s Young Eagles visit Leeds on Sunday**.**
There is plenty of Academy experience in the dugouts at both clubs.
Ipswich’s John McGreal has a long association with the club, having returned in December 2021 to work with the development sides after previously making 150 appearances for the Tractor Boys.
Before returning to Portman Road, McGreal spent 11 years at Colchester United, progressing from Academy coach to first-team manager. He also had a brief spell in charge of Swindon Town in 2021.
Leeds, meanwhile, are led by Scott Gardner, who took charge of the U21s in summer 2024.
A former Leeds Academy graduate and first-team player, Gardner has coached at Thorp Arch since 2012, working across the age groups before leading the U18s. His previous role helped him develop several players who have since progressed into the U21 set-up.
Both fixtures will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+, with the U18s facing Ipswich at 12:00 BST on Saturday and the U21s taking on Leeds at 12:00 BST on Sunday.
Supporters can also follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with match reports and reaction published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Highlights and extended reaction will be available on Palace TV+.
The official Crystal Palace F.C. App is another great way to stay across the action, with goal alerts and key match notifications delivered straight to your phone.
Ipswich Town U18s v Crystal Palace U18s
Leeds United U21s v Crystal Palace U21s