U21s Preview: Palace v Stoke

Academy

6 Nov 2025

Crystal Palace Under-21s welcome Stoke City to Copers Cope on Friday (7th November, 12:00 GMT) in Premier League 2 action, as Darren Powell’s side look to return to winning ways – get the full lowdown below!

This game will also be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Friday morning (12:00 GMT) - click HERE to learn more about Palace TV+ and subscribe today!

Eagle-Eyed Review

Palace U21s were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Valencia in their Premier League International Cup opener at the VBS Community Stadium on Tuesday evening (4th November).

The visitors took the lead midway through the first half when Rodrigo Gamon timed his run perfectly to break in behind and slot home. Despite the setback, Palace responded well, finishing the half on top and pushing for an equaliser.

After the break, the young Eagles continued to press. George King went inches wide after meeting Kaden Rodney’s pinpoint cross, before Zach Marsh saw his penalty agonisingly flash the wrong side of the post. Substitute David Obou also came close late on, drifting inside and curling just beyond the far corner.

Despite creating a host of promising opportunities, Darren Powell’s side were edged out by the narrowest of margins.

Palace went into the contest full of confidence after their comfortable 2–0 victory over Aston Villa in the league last time out – a result that saw the young Eagles return to winning ways

Stoke City U21s

Stoke City’s U21s have made a strong recovery after a challenging 2024/25 campaign. The Potters finished second from bottom last season, collecting just 15 points from 20 matches with four wins, three draws, and 13 defeats.

However, they ended the year on a high, stringing together a four-match winning run that lifted spirits and secured a second-place finish in their Central League debut campaign.

This season, Dave Hibbert’s side have carried that momentum forward. They opened their 2025/26 campaign with back-to-back 2-2 draws against Birmingham City and Wolves, before narrowly losing 2-1 to Liverpool at the end of August.

Since then, Stoke have shown real resilience – a 1-0 defeat to Rotherham was followed by a draw with Bristol City in the Premier League Cup.

In their most recent outing, Favour Fawunmi’s fifth goal of the campaign earned a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion, extending their unbeaten Premier League 2 run to five matches, a club record at this level.

That point leaves the Potters seventh in the PL2 standings, level with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Their rise up the table has been fuelled by recent victories over Nottingham Forest (2-1), Chelsea (2-1), Blackburn Rovers (3-1), and Sunderland (2-1).

Despite that impressive league form, Stoke were knocked out of the Staffordshire Senior Cup after a 3-2 defeat to Stafford Town in early October. Goals from Chinonso Chibueze and Adriel Walker twice put the Potters ahead, but they were undone by two second-half strikes, including a late penalty from Town captain Matt Hearsey.

In the Premier League 2, Stoke continue to improve year on year – finishing 19th in 2023/24, 10th the season before, and now looking like genuine contenders.

Likely Line-Up

Clothier, Agina, Griffin, Otegbayo, Giani, Enabulele, Kelly, Chibueze, André Vidigal, Fawunmi, Walker

Team News

There’s healthy competition across the pitch for Hibbert’s side. Sydney Agina and Owen Powell are vying for a defensive berth, while Laurence Giani and Josh Bickerton are also pushing for starts at the back.

In midfield, Chinonso Chibueze and Josh Maskall are battling for inclusion, and in attack, Adriel Walker and Japhet Matondo are competing to partner in-form forward Fawunmi.

Pre-Match Analysis

Stoke currently sit seventh in Premier League 2 with 15 points, having gone five games unbeaten – including a four-match winning streak before their recent draw with West Brom.

They have, however, played one game more than Palace. In attack, they are joint-eighth for goals scored (15), while defensively they’ve been solid – conceding just 11 goals, the second-fewest in the division, behind only Chelsea (10).

Palace will need to be sharp in both boxes to break down one of the league’s more balanced sides.

Key Player: Favour Fawunmi

Forward Favour Fawunmi has been a standout performer for Stoke this term. The 19-year-old, who joined from West Ham United in February, has already netted five goals and provided several assists in just seven appearances.

Fawunmi impressed during his time in East London, making 44 appearances for West Ham’s Under-18s and scoring 17 goals across two seasons. His blend of pace, strength, and composure in front of goal makes him a constant threat.

The Gaffer: Dave Hibbert

Head coach Dave Hibbert has risen through Stoke’s academy ranks after hanging up his boots with AFC Telford United. He joined the Potters’ coaching setup in 2019, initially working with the Under-15s and Under-16s, before being promoted to Under-18s lead coach in June 2023.

In January 2025, Hibbert took charge of the Under-21s, where he has continued to develop a disciplined, attack-minded side that reflects the club’s growing academy ambitions.

Match Details

Crystal Under-21s v Stoke City Under-21s

Friday, 7th November
12:00 GMT
Premier League 2 Division One
Copers Cope
Watch LIVE on Palace TV+

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