Preview | U18s to visit Fulham in Premier League South

Fulham U18s v West Ham United U18s
U18s Premier League South, Motspur Park, Tuesday 18 February 2025, 6pm GMT

West Ham United U18s will look to get back to winning ways on Tuesday when they visit Fulham U18s at Motspur Park for a 6pm kick-off.

Following their penalty shootout victory over Manchester United in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals last midweek, the young Hammers marked their return to Premier League South action with a defeat against Leicester City on Saturday.

Lauris Coggin’s side fought valiantly at Little Heath Training Ground, with Josh Landers netting on his first U18s appearance and the prolific Josh Ajala scoring two more goals, but were beaten 6-3. 

The young Hammers will be eyeing a strong performance to climb the Premier League South table, and victory over an in-form Fulham in west London could serve as a catalyst for a strong finish to the 2024/25 campaign.

How To Follow…

A report and post-match reaction will be available on the Club’s website and app following the final whistle on Tuesday, with highlights to follow on Wednesday afternoon.

Last Time The Two Sides Met...

With this fixture being rearranged, this will be the first of two U18 Premier League derbies between West Ham United and Fulham in the space of four weeks. The return will see the Whites visit Little Heath on 15 March.

So, looking back, West Ham came out on top when these two sides met at Motspur Park just over a year ago with a hard-fought, thrilling 4-3 victory that saw us return to the top of the U18 Premier League South table.

Callum Osmand opened the scoring against the run of play for Fulham before Dan Rigge levelled for the Hammers five minutes later. The young Cottagers then regained their lead almost instantly from the penalty spot, and Josh Ajala restored parity on the stroke of half-time.

Ajala fired the Hammers ahead after 66 minutes with a near-post finish. Tyron Akpata doubled West Ham's advantage from close range soon after. Osmand grabbed his second to hand the hosts a lifeline, but it could not ignite a fightback as the Irons defended resolutely to seal three vital points.

Opposition…

Fulham have enjoyed a successful season so far, with seven wins from their eleven Premier League South matches so far putting them in fourth. The Cottagers are in form, winning three of their last four league matches.

Much of their success this season has been built on a solid defence. The west Londoners have conceded just 16 goals in their eleven league matches, the best defence in the division, though they have played the fewest number of games.

Last time out, Fulham came from behind to beat Norwich City 2-1 at Motspur Park. Toby Chilvers put the visitors ahead after 25 minutes before goals from Tom Wingate and Ruban Khan completed an impressive turnaround.

Farhaan Ali Wahid has established himself as one to watch in the Cottagers squad, scoring five times in eleven starts this season.

The Story So Far...

West Ham United U18s currently occupy eleventh place in Premier League South. 

Although their FA Youth Cup journey ended in the third round at Grimsby Town, their excellent form in the Premier League Cup earned the young Irons a spot in the semi-finals, where they will face Liverpool, Derby County or Reading.

U18 Premier League South