Crystal Palace Under-21s are back in Premier League 2 action on Monday evening, travelling to face West Ham United at Rush Green – with both sides locked on points and chasing a crucial top-16 play-off spot. Here’s everything you need to know.
The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Monday (23rd February), with coverage beginning at 18:45 GMT ahead of a 19:00 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+.
The young Eagles arrive in east London in confident mood after an impressive week on both domestic and European fronts.
On Wednesday evening at Sutton’s VBS Community Stadium, Darren Powell’s side defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 2–0 to book their place in the Premier League International Cup knockout stages in dramatic fashion.
Knowing only a win – by two or more goals – would be enough to progress, Palace delivered under pressure.
Dylan Reid converted from the spot before Benji Casey doubled the advantage with a crisp half-volley. Late interventions from Tyler Whyte and a superb save from Jackson Izquierdo secured a deserved clean sheet.
The victory saw Palace top Group B on goal difference, finishing level on nine points with Valencia CF and Gladbach, with the Spanish side also progressing. Earlier wins over Juventus FC and FC Nordsjælland had already laid the groundwork following a narrow defeat to Valencia.
That European success followed a statement 2–1 Premier League 2 victory over Fulham, ending the Cottagers’ 13-game unbeaten run thanks to goals from Seb Williams and Rio Cardines.
Despite a disrupted start to 2026 – including an emphatic 6–0 win over Derby County, a narrow 2–1 loss at Ipswich Town and a 1–1 draw with Middlesbrough – Palace remain firmly in the play-off conversation.
Currently 12th and level on 21 points with West Ham – but with games in hand on several sides around them – the young Eagles appear to be building momentum at exactly the right time.
West Ham’s most recent PL2 outing ended in frustration as they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Leicester City at Rush Green.
One bright spark was forward Andre Dike, who marked his full Premier League 2 debut with a composed first-half finish – showcasing the form he has shown at Under-18s level, where he is top scorer.
The Hammers had suffered their first PL2 defeat since August in the fixture prior, falling heavily to Fulham, but they responded well in cup competition. Earlier this week they secured a clean-sheet win over RSC Anderlecht in the Premier League International Cup group stage.
With two-thirds of the regular season played, the table remains tightly congested. Just six points separate West Ham in 10th from 21st-placed Reading, emphasising the significance of every result in the race for a top-16 finish in the 29-team division.
The Hammers also enjoyed a memorable National League Cup night on Tuesday, defeating Tamworth 3–1 to reach the final. Despite playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men, they saved a penalty, absorbed sustained pressure and struck twice in stoppage time to seal a dramatic victory.
In strong cup form and battling for league consistency, West Ham will be determined to turn fine margins into maximum points on home turf.
West Ham United U21s: Herrick; Battrum, Brown, Orford (C), Briggs; Oyebade, Fearon, Akpata; Landers, Ajala, Clayton
West Ham could rotate in key areas. If Finlay Herrick is not selected in goal, Lanre Awesu is likely to deputise. In midfield, Riley Hargan may come into the side ahead of Tyron Akpata, while Andre Dike – who scored in the Hammers’ last PL2 fixture – will be pushing for a start.
West Ham’s league record stands at five wins, six draws and three defeats. They rank inside the top 10 for goals scored (20), while 23 conceded places them just outside the division’s stronger defensive records.
Their recent 1–1 draw with Leicester followed a heavy defeat to Fulham – their first PL2 loss since August – highlighting a side capable of strong attacking output but still seeking defensive consistency.
For Palace, Monday night represents an opportunity to leapfrog a direct rival, extend their positive run and strengthen their play-off credentials.
Josh Landers has been West Ham’s most productive attacking threat this season, registering five goals and one assist in 2025/26.
The striker joined the Hammers from Hibernian in January 2025 following a successful trial spell.
An energetic, modern forward, Landers combines intelligent hold-up play with sharp movement in behind.
He has consistently played above his age group, making his Hibernian U18 debut at 14 and featuring in the UEFA Youth League at 15. He signed his first professional contract in 2023 and made his senior debut later that year in a Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
Despite arriving midway through last season, Landers finished in double figures across competitions at youth level and scored a brace on his first Premier League 2 start in a 4–2 win at Sunderland in August 2025.
Andre Dike is another attacking talent to watch. Having signed his Scholarship in July 2024, the versatile forward can operate wide or centrally and has represented England at U16 and U17 level, scoring on his U17 debut in a 5–0 win over Mexico. He is top scorer for the U18s and netted on his PL2 debut.
Greg Lincoln was appointed West Ham’s Head of Coaching and Player Development in summer 2025.
A UEFA Pro Licence holder, Lincoln joined from The Football Association, where he served as England National Head Coach across U16 and U17 levels and was part of the staff that guided England U19s to UEFA European Championship success in 2022.
He previously held coaching roles at Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, following an 11-year spell in Arsenal’s Academy as a player.
The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Monday (23rd February), with coverage beginning at 18:45 GMT ahead of a 19:00 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+.
West Ham United U21s v Crystal Palace U21s