It’s an Academy double-header this weekend, with Crystal Palace’s Under-18s and Under-21s both in action against Fulham and Blackburn Rovers respectively.
Javier Alonso’s U18s get the action underway on Saturday morning (19th September, 11:00 BST), welcoming Fulham to the Academy in the U18 Premier League South.
Then, at midday (12:00 BST), Darren Powell’s U21s travel to Blackburn Rovers for another Premier League 2 test.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the weekend…
It has been a fast start to the season for Powell’s U21s, who remain unbeaten in 2026/27.
After opening their Premier League 2 campaign with a goalless draw at Arsenal, the Young Eagles claimed their first three points with a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa.
Adler Nascimento and Benji Casey were on target at Bodymoor Heath, while ‘keeper Harry Lee produced a string of impressive saves to help Palace see out the win.
Premier League 2 pits the development sides of Category One academies against one another, with each team playing 20 regular-season matches before the top 16 advance to the single-elimination play-offs.
Powell’s side then took their unbeaten run into the Premier League International Cup – and produced one of the results of their young season.
Nascimento’s free-kick put Palace ahead against Paris Saint-Germain before Seb Williams’ superb volley sealed a 2-1 victory over the French giants.
There was more to come in midweek, as the U21s opened their EFL Trophy campaign with a battling 2-1 victory at League Two side Swindon Town.
Alonso’s U18s have endured a rather different start.
After opening the campaign in style with a 3-1 victory at West Ham United, Palace have suffered five consecutive defeats across league and cup competition.
The scorelines, however, have not always told the full story.
The Young Eagles pushed Nottingham Forest close, were beaten by a late goal at Aston Villa and went toe-to-toe with league leaders Tottenham Hotspur before falling to a narrow defeat.
Most recently, Palace produced another spirited display against Arsenal, creating chances and enjoying spells of control at Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Donte Martin had a goal ruled out, while Raihaan Anderson struck the crossbar, but Emerson Nwaneri and Callan Hamill found the decisive moments for the hosts.
There was an immediate response in midweek, though, as a side containing mainly U16s beat Reading 2-0 in the U17 Premier League Cup.
That followed a victory over Brighton in the previous round – two impressive results against strong opposition.
Alonso’s side will now look to take that momentum into Saturday’s meeting with Fulham.
Fulham remain unbeaten in the U18 Premier League South – although they needed a dramatic late intervention to preserve that record against Tottenham.
Isaiah Onwuegbusi-Allen struck in the 95th minute to earn Fulham a 2-2 draw in a meeting between two of the division’s early pace-setters.
Kayden Sessegnon had given Fulham the lead before Phoenix Offiah turned the game around with two goals in the space of five minutes.
The result also came during a period of change at Motspur Park.
Andrew Joslin recently departed his role as Under-18s Head Coach to become a First-Team Coach at Wycombe Wanderers, bringing an end to a 12-year association with Fulham.
Tommy Wilkinson has stepped up on an interim basis and his side have already shown plenty of character this season, recovering from losing positions against Ipswich, Aston Villa and Chelsea.
Palace can expect another competitive encounter when the sides meet at the Academy on Saturday.
Blackburn have endured a more challenging opening to their Premier League 2 campaign.
Rovers have lost their opening two league matches, going down 4-1 to Ipswich before suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat against Reading last time out.
They are therefore still searching for their first league points of the season.
There has been better news in the Premier League Cup, where Blackburn bounced back from a 4-0 defeat to Southampton by beating QPR 4-2.
Lucas Houghton, Harvey Higgins, Harry Lister and Jayden Sergeant were all on target in that victory.
Powell’s Young Eagles will therefore face a Blackburn side looking to turn their league form around when they meet at midday on Saturday.
Tarrell Cavell has wasted little time making an impression this season.
The winger has three goals and an assist from his opening four games, including a standout display against last season’s U18 Premier League South champions Chelsea.
Cavell scored twice and provided an assist that day, showcasing the pace, directness and energy that make him such a threat from wide areas.
He is equally willing to put that energy to work without the ball, pressing opponents and competing for every challenge.
His goalscoring pedigree was also on show at this year’s REWE Junior Cup in Germany, where he claimed the Golden Boot after scoring 13 times in 10 games. Previous winners of the five-a-side tournament include Mesut Özil and Jonas Wind.
Another Blackburn youngster already making waves is Harvey Higgins.
The 17-year-old has stepped up to first-team football this season and made his Championship debut against Preston in the Lancashire derby before featuring again from the bench against Sheffield United in midweek.
He has also scored in each of Rovers’ last two U21 matches.
Higgins enjoyed a productive 2025/26 campaign, scoring six times in 16 U18 Premier League South appearances before stepping up to the U21s.
His progress also earned international recognition, with Higgins receiving his first England U17 call-up shortly after signing his first professional contract with Blackburn.
He has since scored twice in three appearances for the Young Lions.
There has been change in the dugout at both of Palace’s opponents.
At Fulham, Tommy Wilkinson is currently overseeing the U18s on an interim basis after stepping up from his role as Assistant Head Coach.
His journey at Motspur Park began nine years ago in the pre-academy, and he has progressed through the age groups ever since.
Blackburn, meanwhile, recently appointed Paul Butler as their new Under-21s Head Coach following Gregory Vignal’s departure.
Butler is already familiar with the club, having overseen the U18s’ run to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals last season.
He initially joined Blackburn as U21s Assistant Coach in November 2023, having previously worked under Roy Hodgson at Fulham and held senior coaching roles with Oldham Athletic, Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers, Derby County and ADO Den Haag.
He has also worked alongside Harry Kewell at Oldham and Barnet.
Please note that the Premier League 2 clash with Blackburn Rovers will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ from 12:00 BST, with coverage beginning at 11:45 BST. The U18s’ clash with Fulham will not be streamed due to the fixture clash.
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+.
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.
Fulham U18s v Crystal Palace U18s
Crystal Palace U21s v Blackburn Rovers U21s