Preview | U21s kick off calendar year with trip to Ebbsfleet

Ebbsfleet United v West Ham United U21s
National League Cup Group D, Kuflink Stadium, Tuesday 7 January 2025, 7pm GMT 

West Ham United U21s kick off the calendar year with another test against senior opposition, making the short trip across the River Thames to face Ebbsfleet United in the National League Cup.

The two sides are currently locked together in Group D on three points, meaning the winner, whether through an outright victory or via a penalty shootout after a draw, will move into the second qualifying spot for the knockout stages going into the final group-stage game.

How To Follow…

A live blog will be available on our website and app. A match report and reaction will also follow shortly after the full-time whistle. Highlights will be available on Wednesday.

Tickets...

Advance online tickets for away supporters can be purchased on the Ebbsfleet United website.

Travel...

The postcode for Kuflink Stadium, home of Ebbsfleet United, is DA11 9GN.

Conveniently located near Northfleet and Ebbsfleet International stations, it is only a ten-minute train ride from Stratford for West Ham United fans planning to attend.

National League Cup Explained…

The new competition pits 16 National League clubs - the fifth tier of senior men’s football - against 16 Premier League 2 sides, with the twin aims of giving National League clubs the chance to host the best U21 teams in England in their own stadia, while also offering young players from Premier League and EFL clubs the opportunity to test themselves against senior opposition.

The participants are split into four groups of eight - four from the National League and four from Premier League 2 - with the National League teams hosting a group-stage tie against each of the four Premier League 2 sides in their group.

The top two finishers in each of the four groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. West Ham have been drawn in Group D alongside National League clubs Braintree Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United and Sutton United, as well as fellow Premier League 2 sides Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion.

Opposition…

Having kicked off the last two pre-season campaigns at Kuflink Stadium, West Ham United U21s will be somewhat familiar with their National League opponents. However, Ebbsfleet’s 2-0 win in July will feel like a distant memory for both sides, given the contrasting fortunes since.

With only one competitive win this season, and having lost seven of their last eight games failing to score in five during that run, the Fleet are struggling to stay in touch with the rest of the field, 14 points adrift in the National League relegation zone. Despite their league struggles, Ebbsfleet remain competitive in the National League Cup.

A penalty shootout win over West Bromwich Albion and a draw against Tottenham Hotspur have kept their hopes alive for a spot in the knockout stages.

The Story So Far…

West Ham United U21s come into this fixture having closed out the calendar year with impressive victories over Borussia Mönchengladbach II and Sutton United.

Although Braintree Town boast a 100 per cent record at the top of the group, the rest of the chasing pack is tightly bundled together. With just a point separating the second qualifying spot and seventh place, it is still all to play for going into the final two matchday fixtures.

National League Cup Group D