Leicester City U21s v West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2 Division 1, Leicester City Training Ground, Friday 19 August, 7pm
West Ham United U21s return to Premier League 2 action with a trip to Leicester City on Friday 19 August.
The development side are searching for their first points of the 2022/23 season after consecutive defeats at newly-promoted Fulham and at home to Arsenal last week.
While the Irons have scored in both of their league outings so far, conceding three goals in each game has left the Hammers without a point on the board, and Mark Robson and his side will be hopeful of a more resolute showing away to the Foxes.
Friday’s fixture will be played at the Leicester City training ground on Friday, with kick-off set for 7pm.
Tickets…
Leicester City have advised that tickets for Friday’s Premier League 2 fixture have already sold out, having been place on advanced sale early last week.
No tickets will be made available on the day for purchase.
Travel…
Supporters driving to Friday’s fixture should note that car parking spaces at the Leicester City Training Ground will be available on a first come, first serve basis. The postcode is LE12 7NG.
The quickest route for supporters is to join the M1 from junction 21 of the M25, and stay on the route for around 80 miles before taking the A46 exit towards Leicester Western Bypass. Then, keep right at the fork and follow signs for A46.
Continue onto the A46 before going left onto Park Hill lane. The Leicester City Training Ground is then on the left, on the road marked ‘Park Hill Golf Club’.
Fans utilising the train service should note that the nearest station is Loughborough, which can be reached via the East Midlands Railway service from London St Pancras. From there, the trip to the Leicester City Training Ground is roughly eight miles.
How to follow…
West Ham United U21s’ Premier League 2 fixture at Leicester City will unfortunately not be live-streamed on Friday evening.
However, full coverage of the match can be found in our live blog from 6pm on Friday at whufc.com.
Goal updates will also be provided through the West Ham United Twitter account.
Full highlights from the game, as well as reaction from lead coach Mark Robson and the squad, will be available on YouTube and whufc.com on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Team News…
Mark Robson will be hoping to see a few faces return for Leicester City after they missed out on last Friday’s loss to Arsenal.
Harrison Ashby, Manny Longelo and Armstrong Okoflex were not in action against the Gunners, although Ashby was included in the senior squad for the Premier League match away to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
With the first team also playing in their UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier first-leg on Thursday, against Viborg FF, availability for Robson will depend on any Academy talent included in the matchday squad 24 hours prior.
Opposition…
Leicester City have begun the 2022/23 campaign with a draw and a defeat from their opening two Premier League 2 matches this season.
A 2-2 at home to Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago was followed by a 3-1 loss away to reigning champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Winger Tawanda Maswanhise has started the season in good form for the Foxes, with the 19-year-old netting twice in their opening pair of fixtures, and the Midlands side have often proved a tough test against the Irons.
Leicester City completed the double over the young Hammers last season, achieving a 2-1 win over our development side at home in November 2021, before winning by the same score-line at Rush Green back in January.
The young Foxes are currently coached by former Stoke City and Hull City defender Ben Petty, who took the role with Leicester City in 2016.
An Academy with Category 1 Status, the Leicester City set-up has developed iconic names such as Peter Shilton, Gary Lineker and Emile Heskey and, in more recent years, the likes of Ben Chilwell, Harvey Barnes and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
