Preview: U21s face Leicester City in Premier League 2 | West Ham United F.C.
On Friday 26th April 2024, the match between West Ham United U21s and Leicester City U21s will take place at Rush Green Stadium at 7pm BST. This game is part of the Premier League 2 competition.
The young team of West Ham United are finishing the initial stage of their Premier League 2 tournament with a match against Leicester City on Friday night.
The Hammers' junior squad have achieved the runner-up position in the standings, consequently earning a spot in the forthcoming PL2 playoffs set to commence in the following month.
Steve Potts' team will be looking to achieve their fourth consecutive victory in the league before the playoffs.
Continue reading for our complete overview underneath...
On Friday evening, you can purchase tickets directly from the turnstiles. If you're under 18, you can get in for only £1, but if you're an adult, the ticket will cost you £5.
The location of Rush Green Stadium, which is located at the training ground of West Ham United's professional team, can be identified by the RM7 0LU postcode.
If fans want to reach the stadium through public transportation, they can ride a train to Romford station and then hop on a bus numbered 5, 103, or 175 which will take them to the Barton Avenue stop in a mere 15 minutes.
Fans who are travelling by public transport are recommended to double-check their routes before setting off. This can be done by utilizing informative tools such as TfL's Journey Planner and the TfL Go app. Additionally, individuals may want to explore the National Rail website if they plan on taking trains.
Supporters planning to drive to this upcoming Premier League 2 game should take note that there is a severe lack of parking spaces available at Rush Green Stadium. It is not a certainty that you will find a spot to park your vehicle.
The game happening on Friday will be broadcasted in real-time on the Club's website and YouTube channel.
You can go to the Club's website and app to check out a live blog, and once the match is over, you'll be able to read a match report, watch highlights, and see people's reactions.
Understanding Premier League 2
This season's competition has a fresh structure, consisting of a lone division containing 26 clubs that feature Category One Academies. Every squad will take part in 20 routine matches, leading up to the top 16 teams advancing to a do-or-die playoff.
Furthermore, the squads that complete the regular season within the top 12 positions will receive an invitation to participate in the Premier League International Cup for the upcoming season.
West Ham has secured their position as the second best team in the league after playing 19 games. This achievement guarantees them a spot in the play-offs and also allows them to participate in next season's Premier League International Cup.
"Rigge Thrives In U21 Football Challenge"
After securing his initial professional agreement earlier this term, Dan Rigge is looking ahead to the following phase of his career in the eastern part of London.
The imaginative midfielder has initiated in the U18s games for this season and has also played from the substitutes' bench for Steve Potts' U21s squad after showing off his remarkable skills in the matches.
Demonstrating one's skills at this stage is not an easy task, but Rigge is relishing the opportunity before the U21s' match against Leicester City this coming Friday.
He demonstrated his skill as well, scoring a goal in a recent victory against West Bromwich Albion U21s. This further adds to his total of 18 goals and assists combined in U18s competition for the season.
Rigge expressed his excitement by saying that this year has been one of the most fruitful for him. He happily shared that he performed well with U18s, accomplished a few goals and assists, and received positive feedback.
I've also been working with the U21 team and have played in a few matches with them. This experience has been really beneficial and has had a significant impact on my training.
The pace is faster in the Premier League 2, but I am familiar with the majority of the team because we played together in the U18s last year.
"The main contrast lies in the level of physical exertion, and the athletes exhibit a greater amount of strength. Nevertheless, I have been participating in the team practices, and gradually, I am adapting to this higher standard of play."
Leicester City is currently in the 16th position, seven points behind Southampton. Unfortunately, they will not be able to participate in the PL2 play-offs, as they only have one game left to play.
Lately, the Foxes have managed to defeat teams such as Leeds United and Stoke City, indicating the high level of talent present in the development league for the year 2023/24.
They were able to win against Tranmere Rovers, who are from the EFL League Two, in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy group stage by a score of 1-0.
As the Premier League playoffs draw near, the West Ham United U21s are entering the crucial part of the season.
Potts’ team has won three games in a row in the league. They have beaten Derby County, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Norwich City in the past few weeks.
Currently, there is no team that has netted more goals than the Hammers this season, as they have been successful in finding the back of the net frequently. Moreover, they have only suffered three losses in their 19 league matches in the 2023-2024 season.
