West Ham United U21s v Leicester City U21s
Premier League 2, Rush Green Stadium, Friday 26 April 2024, 7pm BST
West Ham United U21s conclude the first part of their Premier League 2 campaign as they host Leicester City on Friday evening.
The young Hammers have secured second place in the table, and therefore a place in the PL2 play-offs, which begin next month.
Steve Potts’ side will hope to record a fourth league win on the bounce ahead of the knockouts.
Read on for our full preview below...
Tickets...
Tickets are available to buy from the turnstiles on Friday evening. U18s can gain entry for £1, while Adult tickets cost £5.
Travel...
The postcode for Rush Green Stadium - situated at West Ham United’s first-team training ground - is RM7 0LU.
To access the ground via public transport, fans can take a train to Romford station, then board a 5, 103 or 175 bus for the 15-minute ride and get off at the Barton Avenue stop.
Supporters using public transport are advised to check their journeys before they travel, using resources such as TfL’s Journey Planner and the TfL Go app. Supporters may also wish to visit the National Rail website if travelling on the rail network.
Fans wishing to attend this Premier League 2 fixture by car should note that parking at Rush Green Stadium is extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed.
How To Follow...
Friday’s fixture will be live-streamed on the Club’s website and YouTube channel.
A live blog will be available on the Club’s website and app, while a match report, highlights and reaction will follow shortly after the full-time whistle.
Premier League 2 explained...
The competition has a new format this season, with one division made up of 26 clubs with Category One Academies. Each team will play 20 regular season fixtures, after which the top 16 teams will qualify for a single elimination play-off.
In addition, the teams finishing the regular season in the top 12 will be invited to take part in next season’s Premier League International Cup.
West Ham have confirmed second place in the table, with 19 games played, meaning they have qualified for both the play-offs as well as next season’s Premier League International Cup.
Rigge enjoying the challenge of U21s football...
Having signed his first professional contract earlier this season, Dan Rigge has an eye on the next step of his career in east London.
The creative midfielder has started for the U18s this campaign and has featured from the bench for Steve Potts’ U21s following his impressive performances this season.
Proving yourself at this level is no mean feat, but it is a challenge that Rigge is enjoying ahead of the U21s' fixture against Leicester City on Friday.
He showed he has the quality too with a goal in a recent win over West Bromwich Albion U21s, adding to his 18 goal contributions at U18s level this season.
“I think this year has been one of my most successful,” Rigge enthused. “I have done well with the U18s and got a few goals and assists to go with that and it has been positive as well.
“I have been training with the U21s as well and had a couple of appearances with them, which was good too. It has been a big positive.
“It is a higher tempo [Premier League 2], but I know most of the group from playing with the U18s last season.
“The biggest difference is the physicality and the players are a lot stronger, but I have been training with the group and you get used to playing with that level.”
Opposition…
Sat seven points behind Southampton in 16th with one game to play, Leicester City can no longer qualify for the PL2 play-offs.
The Foxes, though, have picked up wins over Leeds United and Stoke City in recent weeks to show the depth of quality across the development league in 2023/24.
They also beat EFL League Two side Tranmere Rovers 1-0 in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy group stage.
Story So Far…
With the Premier League play-offs in sight, it is into the business end of the season for West Ham United U21s.
Potts’ charges have recorded three wins on the bounce in the league as they swept past Derby County, Brighton & Hove Albion and Norwich City in recent weeks.
As it stands, no side has scored more goals this season than the free-scoring Hammers, who have tasted just three defeats in their 19 league games in 2023/24.
