Crystal Palace Under-18s will be eager to build on the momentum of their emphatic FA Youth Cup victory as they welcome Birmingham City to the Academy in the U18s Premier League South on Saturday (31st January, 11:00 GMT). Here’s everything you need to know ahead of kick-off.
The match will be streamed live on Palace TV+ on Saturday morning (31st January, 11:00 GMT) – click HERE to learn more about Palace TV+ and subscribe today!
Can’t watch live? Follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction available shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Highlights will also be available on Palace TV+.
Last time out, Palace Under-18s booked their place in the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over Newcastle United on a wet and blustery Tuesday evening (22nd January) at Whitley Park.
The young Eagles dominated large spells of the contest, with David Angibeaud opening the scoring from close range on 29 minutes. Benji Casey doubled the advantage shortly after the restart, giving Palace firm control.
Newcastle did threaten a response, but a superb reaction save from ‘keeper Jack Mason ensured Palace maintained their grip on the match. From there, the U18s pulled clear – Angibeaud tapped in his second of the evening before Casey added a fourth to cap off an emphatic performance. The victory sets up a Fifth Round tie against Stevenage.
Turning attention back to league action, Palace come into this fixture off the back of an unfortunate 3-1 defeat to West Brom. That result leaves the young Eagles third in the table on 24 points, six behind leaders Chelsea. Saturday presents an opportunity to return to winning ways in the league.
Birmingham City U18s are competing in the U18 Premier League South for the first time this season, following their return to Category One status after an impressive and rapid academy rebuild.
Having lost their designation in 2022, the club invested heavily in the Knighthead Performance Centre, upgrading pitches, gym facilities, recovery areas, and performance analysis infrastructure.
The Professional Game Academy Audit was suitably impressed – a process that typically takes three to five years was completed in just one, allowing Birmingham to rejoin the top tier of youth football alongside Burnley and Ipswich Town.
On the pitch, the young Blues have experienced a mixed campaign. Their season began with a heavy 8-0 defeat to Palace, but they responded with a 1-1 draw against West Ham United and a dramatic 4-3 victory over Fulham in a seven-goal thriller.
Early November brought back-to-back wins over Norwich City and Leicester City – including a last-gasp winner against the Canaries – underlining their resilience and attacking threat. However, heavy defeats to Aston Villa (6-0), Manchester United (6-0), and Chelsea (3-1) have highlighted the inconsistency of a youthful side still adapting to Category One football.
Most recently, a 2-1 victory over Southampton – with goals from Cobi Maddox and Nikolai Degtiarev – provided a timely boost ahead of the trip to south London.
Birmingham’s recent academy history adds further context. Crowned Professional Development League champions in 2023/24, they finished ninth in the northern division last season before regaining Category One status.
Now, the Blues are determined to prove they belong among the elite, pairing state-of-the-art facilities with a talented group capable of producing moments of real quality.
Birmingham Expected XI: Terenowicz, Pearsall, Okpapi, Campbell, Trialist, Martin-Moore ©, Ralph, Elmansuri, Hawkeswood, Degtiarev, McCusker.
Martyn Olorenshaw typically sticks with a settled starting XI, often introducing substitutions around the hour mark. Isifu Jawara, Mordecai Jones, and Lorenzo Greer are regular second-half options who may be called upon to impact proceedings.
Birmingham currently sit 13th in the U18 Premier League South on 13 points, level with Reading, though the Royals and several teams around them have games in hand. The Blues have recorded four wins, one draw, and nine defeats so far this campaign.
Their tally of 15 goals scored is only better than Ipswich Town (14), while 43 goals conceded is joint-highest in the division – also alongside Ipswich – revealing vulnerabilities at both ends of the pitch.
Cobi Maddox is a technically gifted midfielder capable of operating across multiple systems. Despite beginning his football journey later than most, he has made a strong impression for the young Blues.
Maddox has three goals to his name this season and has also stepped up to feature for Birmingham’s U21s in Premier League 2.
Martyn Olorenshaw was appointed Birmingham City U18s Lead Coach ahead of the 2021/22 season. Since taking charge, he has overseen 52 matches, recording nine wins, seven draws, and 36 defeats as Blues boss.
The match will be streamed live on Palace TV+ on Saturday morning (31st January, 11:00 GMT) – click HERE to learn more about Palace TV+ and subscribe today!
Can’t watch live? Follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction available shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Highlights will also be available on Palace TV+.
Crystal Palace U18s v Birmingham City U18s