West Ham United Under-18s will look to make it two wins in a week when they go to Fulham on Friday lunchtime.
Tony Carr's side were 2-0 winners away to Ipswich Town last weekend, thanks in no small part to Junior Stanislas and Marek Stech. In-form attacker Stanislas scored both goals in the away victory, although a missed penalty cost him a hat-trick, while Czech goalkeeper Marek Stech saved a spot-kick and pulled off a number of fine saves.
Fulham are riding high in the Premier Academy Reserve League, sitting third in the eleven-team table, but fifth-placed West Ham United can close to within a point should they get the victory at Motspur Park. Carr's youngsters will also be looking to avenge their opening day 1-0 home defeat by Fulham. On that occasion, Wales U21 midfielder Jack Collison saw the woodwork deny him the chance of a goal.
The U18s are also preparing for a FA Youth Cup third-round tie against Bolton Wanderers at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday 19 December, although they welcome Portsmouth to Little Heath four days before that in the league. Portsmouth are fourth in the standings, meaning positive results in the next two fixtures, starting on Friday, will do much for morale at the Academy.
Speaking after the win at Ipswich, Academy director Carr said: "We have been through a little rocky patch of late, so this sees us back on track. We have a few matches before Christmas and a cup game coming up, so the confidence will be up again and we have made a good step forward."