Crystal Palace Under-18s return to action on Saturday as they welcome West Ham United to the Crystal Palace Academy, with the two sides locked level on points in the U18 Premier League South. Here’s everything you need to know!
The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Saturday (28th 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+.
A narrow 1-0 defeat to Leicester City last time out brought Palace’s five-match unbeaten run to an end, but the performance offered plenty of encouragement.
The young Eagles dominated possession and carved out a number of clear openings, with David Angibeaud, Donte Martin and Dylan Monk all going close, only to be denied by a resolute Leicester backline and an inspired display in goal. A late onslaught saw Palace push hard for an equaliser, but it proved just out of reach.
That setback followed an impressive spell across league and cup competitions. Palace booked a first FA Youth Cup quarter-final in over 15 years with a superb 2-1 win away to Stevenage, earning a last-eight tie against holders and five-time winners Aston Villa.
In the league, a resounding 5-0 victory over Birmingham City – featuring braces from Martin and Angibeaud – showcased Palace’s title credentials, while a frustrating 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur denied the side a chance to further close the gap on runaway leaders Chelsea.
Cup momentum continued in midweek, as Martin’s quick-fire brace helped secure a 3-1 win away at Peterborough United to seal progression to the Premier League Cup semi-finals – where Palace will travel to face Tottenham next week.
With 12 league fixtures remaining and two cup competitions still alive, the run-in promises to be a thrilling one. A positive result against West Ham would set the tone for a pivotal stretch…
West Ham arrive in strong form despite suffering their first league defeat of the calendar year last weekend, a 2-1 reverse against Ipswich Town.
Prior to that, the young Hammers had been the most in-form side across the 29 Category One academies, collecting 24 points from nine matches and climbing into the top four.
They sit fourth in the U18 Premier League South, level on 28 points with Palace, having won nine, drawn one and lost six of their 16 fixtures. Their attacking output has been particularly eye-catching: 36 goals scored overall, and 32 in their last 10 matches – the most in the division across that period.
West Ham’s form has also translated into cup success too. They are defending Premier League Cup champions and topped their group with a perfect record before overcoming Aston Villa on penalties in the quarter-finals. In fact, they are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in the competition.
The East London sides pedigree at youth level has been well established in recent years, with the club also claiming the FA Youth Cup in 2022/23…
West Ham Expected XI: Awesu; Healy-Matthews, Scanlon, Jonyla, Smith; Morris-Agyemang (c), Dike, Thomas; Beckford, Medine, Obi.
West Ham’s selection could be influenced by scheduling, with several U18 players regularly featuring for the club’s U21 side, who also have a fixture this weekend against Leeds United.
Finley Hooper could deputise in goal should Lanre Awesu step up to U21 duty. At the back, Harry Montague is an option in place of Joe Scanlon. In midfield, Jonathan Unwin may replace Isaac Thomas, while David Chigwada could feature in the forward line depending on Andre Dike’s availability.
Squad rotation remains a possibility given player loading and minutes management across age groups.
Across their last 10 games, West Ham have won seven and lost two, with only the Manchester clubs in the northern division bettering their points tally in that timeframe.
Away from home, their record is mixed – three wins and three defeats – scoring 17 but conceding 11. While they carry a significant goal threat, there may be opportunities for Palace to exploit defensively.
With both sides level on points and firmly in the title conversation, this contest carries added significance. It is also a dress rehearsal of sorts, with a Premier League Cup semi-final meeting between the clubs looming on the horizon.
West Ham’s leading scorer, Andre Dike has nine goals and two assists this season, remarkably netting nine in nine U18 appearances.
Intelligent and versatile, Dike is comfortable operating centrally or in wide areas, combining sharp movement with strong dribbling ability and a clinical edge. An England youth international, he scored on his U17 debut earlier this season and remains a constant
Chuk Obi, meanwhile, is a powerful and imposing striker who offers a focal point in attack.
The Danish youth international scored 17 goals for the U16s last season and has continued his development at U18 level, adding valuable physicality and presence to West Ham’s forward line to net five times.
Luke Smith has progressed steadily through the coaching ranks since joining West Ham’s Academy in 2020. Having previously worked in both the United States and with Bristol Rovers’ youth system, Smith built extensive experience across foundation and development phases before stepping into a full-time role with the U18s in January 2025.
He was part of the coaching staff that guided West Ham to Premier League Cup glory last season – the club’s first at that age group – and now leads a side blending strong recent form with proven cup pedigree.
With league positions finely poised, cup ambitions high and momentum at stake, Saturday’s clash promises to be a compelling encounter between two of the division’s most in-form sides.
For Palace, it is an opportunity to respond, reassert their title push, and head into a crucial period with confidence restored.
The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Saturday (28th 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 U18s v West Ham U18s