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U18s preview: Young Eagles open 26/27 at West Ham
Crystal Palace Under-18s begin their 2026/27 campaign on Saturday (15th August, 11:00 BST), travelling to West Ham United in the U18 Premier League South.
Eagle-Eyed Review
The Young Eagles begin the new campaign looking to build on a history-making 25/26. Javier Alonso’s side reached the FA Youth Cup semi-finals for the first time in almost 30 years and lifted the U18 Premier League Cup for the first time in club history.
The campaign also saw U18s Dean Benamar, Joel Drakes-Thomas and Benji Casey make their senior debuts.
Palace welcomed 13 new scholars to the U18s this summer, while a number of last season’s squad stepped up to the U21s. With several more players joining the U21s during pre-season, Alonso called on a number of U16s to bolster his group.
Palace played five pre-season fixtures against a wide variety of opposition, including academies all the way from Category One to Category Three as well as international U18 sides and non-league teams.
Six Academy players were also selected by new Manager Pierre Sage for the Como Cup, with U18 ‘keeper Lucca Benetton and forward Drakes-Thomas joining U21 defenders Charlie Walker-Smith, George King, Mofe Jemide and Dean Benamar in Italy.
The new-look group will be aiming to replicate last season’s strong start, when they opened with an 8-0 win over Birmingham City, while going one better in the FA Youth Cup and defending their U18 Premier League Cup crown.
The opposition - West Ham
West Ham finished eighth in the U18 Premier League South last season, recording 13 wins, two draws and 13 defeats.
The Young Hammers were in contention for a top-half finish heading into the final day, having won four of their previous five, but a defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion ended their hopes.
In cup competitions, all four of their knockout ties went the distance. Defending their 24/25 U18 Premier League Cup title, Luke Smith’s side beat Aston Villa on penalties before falling to Manchester United in the semi-finals after extra time.
Their Youth Cup journey ended in the fourth round, where they were defeated on penalties by Everton at Goodison Park.
There was silverware elsewhere, however, as their first-year U18s won all six of their U17 Premier League Cup ties and were crowned champions at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium, coming from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2.
U18 Premier League Explained…
The Young Eagles compete in the U18 Premier League South, the top level of U18 football for Category One clubs in England.
The competition is split into northern and southern sections, with Palace playing 30 matches against 15 opponents, home and away.
AFC Bournemouth and Brentford have both gained Category One status ahead of the new season, taking the southern section to 16 clubs. Leicester City, meanwhile, move to the northern section.
The winners of the northern and southern sections will meet to determine the national champions.
Team news
West Ham have welcomed 14 new scholars ahead of 26/27.
Goalkeepers Felix Lewis-Ayesta and Jack Tomlin, defenders Glenn Macaj, Reon Smith and Arnaldo Ugate, midfielders Charles Gadsdon, Lenny Noble, Isaac Thomas and Mitchell Brown, wide players Christian Lila and Zak Magowan and strikers Frankie Day, Christlife Mandungu and Bailey Pammenter make up the new intake.
Northern Ireland U17 international Magowan is the only second-year scholar, having joined from Northern Irish team Glentoran.
Pre-match analysis
West Ham scored 62 goals and conceded 59 in the league last season, finishing eighth with 13 wins, two draws and 13 defeats.
The Young Hammers’ squad gained plenty of experience during the campaign, with several players making more than 30 competitive appearances.
They also reached the U18 Premier League Cup semi-finals and lifted the U17 Premier League Cup.
Key Player – Chuk Obi
Chuk Obi enjoyed a prolific campaign last season, scoring 18 goals across all competitions.
The powerful striker scored three times during West Ham’s U17 Premier League Cup triumph, including in the final against Blackburn Rovers.
The Danish youth international also found the net in 10 of his final 11 appearances of the season.
The Gaffer – Luke Smith
Luke Smith took charge of West Ham’s U18s last season after previously working across the Academy’s development phases.
He joined the club in 2020 following coaching spells at Bristol Rovers and in the United States, initially working as a Lead Development Phase Coach.
Smith joined the U18 coaching staff full-time in January 2025 before taking charge the following season.
He guided the first-year scholars to the U17 Premier League Cup, beating Leicester City, Palace and Blackburn Rovers in the knockout stages.
How to follow
Supporters can follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Match Details
West Ham United Under-18s v Crystal Palace Under-18s
- Saturday, 15th August
- KO: 11:00 BST
- Little Heath
- U18 Premier League South