Preview | U21s host Lyon at Rush Green

West Ham United U21s v Olympique Lyonnais 2
Premier League International Cup Group B, Rush Green Stadium, Tuesday 3 December 2024, 7pm GMT

West Ham United U21s return to Premier League International Cup (PLIC) action as they host Olympique Lyonnais 2 at Rush Green Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Mark Robson’s young Hammers will look to break a six-game losing streak, encouraged by a much-improved performance against Manchester United at the weekend, where they were narrowly edged out by a stoppage-time winner.

The team remains unbeaten in the PLIC this season, having earned impressive comeback draws against Portuguese outfit SL Benfica B and Spanish side Athletic Club B. However, with qualification for the knockout stages still at stake, the U21s need a strong result to keep their hopes alive and aim to replicate last season’s semi-final run.

Tickets...

Tickets can be purchased at the turnstiles, priced at just £5 for Adults and £1 for Under-18s. Men's team Season Ticket Holders can attend for free by showing their Season Ticket at the entrance.
 

Travel...

The postcode for Rush Green Stadium - 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 there is no parking available for spectators at Rush Green Stadium due to on site construction works.

How To Follow…

Due to clashes with Tuesday’s Premier League action, the development side’s fixture against Lyon will not be live streamed.

However, fans can stay up to date with the action through a live blog on the Club’s website and app, while a match report and reaction will follow shortly after the full-time whistle. Highlights will be available the following day.

Premier League International Cup Explained…

First introduced in the 2014/15 season as part of a strategy to provide Premier League Academies with international experience, the PLIC comprises of the 16 top finishers in Premier League 2 and 16 invited international clubs.

Participating clubs are split into four groups of eight, with four PL2 and four invited international clubs occupying each group. Each side play four group-stage games, with every fixture featuring one PL2 team hosting an international opponent at their home ground. The top two from each group progress to the quarter-finals.

Opposition...

Domestically, Olympique Lyonnais 2 compete in France’s National 3, the fifth tier of French football. The side is enjoying a strong campaign, sitting just two points off the sole promotion spot after nine matches.

In the PLIC, Lyon currently lead Group B with two wins from three matches. Clean-sheet victories over Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough have placed them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.

The two teams last met in this competition’s group stage a year ago, with George Earthy’s late equaliser earning West Ham a share of the spoils.

Ones To Watch…

In the development’s side’s first two PLIC group fixtures, squad rotation has been a key theme for the young Hammers. Having played at the weekend, and with Tuesday’s game coinciding with the first team’s Premier League fixture, opportunities may arise for other players to make an impact.

For the Hammers, Ryan Battrum has been adjusting well to life as a professional footballer. A versatile player who can play across the back line as well as in midfield, Battrum has made eleven appearances for the U21s since completing his scholarship in the summer. Last time out, the young full-back was his usual consistent self against Manchester United after coming on at half-time to replace Ezra Mayers, who was included in the first-team squad against Arsenal. When called upon this season, the 19-year-old has consistently delivered high-octane performances, covering plenty of ground to contribute as much going forward as he does at the back.

With the U18s kicking off their FA Youth Cup campaign on Friday, second-year scholar Josh Ajala could be rested for Brad Dolaghan. The development side’s summer signing from National League South side Worthing has scored all three of his goals so far for the Hammers in this competition, including a brace off the bench in our last game against Athletic Club B, which salvaged a point.

For Lyon, Alejandro Gomes Rodríguez is one to watch. The 16-year-old forward joined the French side in the summer from Southampton, having already built a reputation as a creative attacking player. Born in Caracas, he moved to England at the age of ten and has represented Venezuela at youth level, as well as his grandparents' Portugal and the Young Lions.

Last season, he made ten appearances for Southampton U18s, scoring twice and registering nine assists, two of which came in a 2-2 draw against West Ham. He also scored on his development side debut against Premier League 2 winners Tottenham. His impressive performances attracted interest from various European clubs, and he ultimate opted for Olympique Lyonnais to continue his development with the reserve team in the French fifth tier.

How things stand in PLIC Group B...