West Ham United U21s v GNK Dinamo Zagreb U21s
Premier League International Cup, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Wednesday 31 January 2024, 7pm GMT
West Ham United U21s could book their place in the Premier League International Cup knockouts when they face GNK Dinamo Zagreb U21s on Wednesday evening.
The Hammers need a point to qualify, having taken two wins and a draw from their first three Group B matches.
Steve Potts’ side have recorded consecutive wins in Premier League 2, following a narrow defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy earlier in January.
Read on for a full preview below...
Tickets...
Tickets are available to buy at the turnstiles on Wednesday evening, priced at just £5 for Adults and £1 for U18s.
West Ham United men’s Season Ticket Holders can attend the fixture for free, and just need to show proof of their Season Ticket at the turnstiles.
Travel...
The easiest way to get to Chigwell Construction Stadium is by using public transport.
Dagenham East station on the London Underground's District line is situated about 500 metres from the ground. On exiting the station, turn left and the ground is in Victoria Road, which is the fifth turning on the left-hand side after about 400 metres. You will see the stadium at the end of the cul-de-sac.
You can take London Bus route 103 from either Romford railway station which is served by Greater Anglia, TfL's Elizabeth line and London Overground, or Rainham station, which is served by c2c rail services. The 103 has stops on both sides of Rainham Road South, just north of Victoria Road.
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.
No parking is available at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Street parking in the local area is available, but motorists should take note of restrictions.
How To Follow…
A live blog will be available on the Club’s website, while highlights, reaction, and a match report will follow shortly after the full-time whistle.
What Is The Premier League International Cup?
The Premier League International Cup features 12 of England's best Academy sides against 12 of the top development squads from the rest of Europe, split into three groups of eight.
Each PL2 club will play each of the four international clubs in their group, meaning the PL2 teams do not face each other, and neither do the international teams play one another in the group stage.
The top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams advance to the quarter-finals, where the ties are decided in one-off matches, with extra-time and then penalties required if the match is level after 90 minutes.
You can read more about the tournament HERE.
Opposition...
West Ham United U21s will face the development side from the club our first team beat twice in the UEFA Europa League group stage in 2021.
GNK Dinamo Zagreb U21s have taken one point from their first three games in the Premier League International Cup, and are seventh in Group B.
They have fallen to defeats against Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, and battled to a draw against Southampton.
Coach’s View…
Potts has been impressed by the standard of opposition in this season’s Premier League International Cup, and expects another tough test.
The Hammers have beaten Celtic and Valencia in this year’s competition, and have drawn against Lyon, although the matches have been competitive and often decided by a moment of quality from those in Claret and Blue.
For Potts, that is how football should be - and the different styles from youth teams across the continent have been a much-welcome challenge added to the Hammers’ fixture list in 2023/24.
The lead coach explained: “I think it has been good and really competitive, with a lot of good football. We have had a few games where it’s been in the balance and heading into the final few moments where you’re thinking: ‘Which way is this going to go?’
“Lyon and Valencia, in particular, were really high-level games and proper games of football, where you just thought one side could maybe edge it at the end. But [across all the matches] it has been a really good [test for the group].”
The Story So Far…
In simplest terms, a draw will be enough for the U21s to automatically qualify for the knockout phase of the competition from Group B.
As it stands, the Irons are second in the standings, having beaten Celtic and Valencia, and drawn against Lyon.
Only Brighton & Hove Albion, with 12 points from four games, have more in Group B. The Hammers cannot finish top of the group, but can qualify automatically as runners-up.
