The stage is set for two of the capital’s top academies to go head-to-head on Saturday lunchtime, as second-placed West Ham United U21s head to leaders Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League 2.
The hosts are yet to taste defeat in the league this season, having taken a perfect 33 points from eleven games, while the Hammers fell to just their second league defeat of the season last time out.
With strong starts to the campaign from both groups of players, West Ham and Tottenham are well-poised to finish in the top 16 and qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, as well as finish in the top 12 to secure a place in next season’s Premier League International Cup.
The job is far from done for either side though, and defender Kaelan Casey expects a proper battle in north London as a result.
“We can always expect a good game against Spurs,” he stated. “They have a lot of talent and are a very good footballing side - their results speak for themselves this season too.
“They’re unbeaten, so they’re doing a lot right, but I don’t think there’s an extra motivation because it’s the top two, because we want to do well in every game.
"We want to do our best, but maybe there will be a little bit extra on it because it’s a London derby and it’s West Ham against Tottenham.
“Our aim is to go there and get the three points that will help to us to get where we want to be, which is that top spot.”
With a steely determination and plenty of quality on and off the ball, Casey has impressed for the development side this season. Indeed, his performances have led to experience as part of the first-team matchday squad on occasion over the past few months.
Throughout the 2023/24 campaign, though, Steve Potts’ side has shone, with the young centre-half more than playing his part.
Together, they have reached the last 16 of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, and the quarter-finals of the Premier League International Cup too. In the league, it has been a similar story.
So far in Premier League 2, only the U21s’ second league defeat of the season arrived last time out against Chelsea, by a 2-0 scoreline. Their other league loss - on opening day - came away to Arsenal.
Having previously been on a six-game winning run in the league, Casey is keen to bounce back this weekend and get back to winning ways.
He added: “There were a lot of positives to take from that match against Chelsea because, on any other day, we would have scored the chances we had and come away with at least a point.
“The mood in the camp is good even after the defeat against Chelsea, because we all felt we should have come away with something. Training has been good this week because of that belief, and the group is on it and looking forward to the Tottenham game.
“Spurs have always been a good team, and every time I’ve played against them throughout the age groups, they’ve been a tough opponent to play against. They are unbeaten in the league this year so of course the aim is to change that and come away from their place with three points.”
