U18 Preview: Crystal Palace vs Saints
Southampton’s youngsters are on the road this weekend, visiting Crystal Palace on Saturday morning.
Crystal Palace vs Saints
Under-18s Premier League
Crystal Palace Academy
Saturday 3rd April, 11am GMT
After a spirited performance at home to Chelsea last-time-out, Saints’ youngsters will be looking forward to another challenge this weekend against high-flying Palace.
Saints pushed Chelsea all the way at Snows Stadium last weekend, pushing for an equaliser for most of the game after Jayden Smith had scored just shy of the half hour mark to make it 2-1.
But the visitors came away with three points, the results cemented in stoppage time by substitute Edwin Anderson following Jimmi Tauriainen’s first-half double.
Palace’s last outing was also against Chelsea and featured a similarly close fought contest.
After David Omilabu took the lead for Saturday’s hosts Chelsea equalised five minutes from the hour.
But Omilabu scored his second of the game to secure a big victory at the Academy three minutes from time.
A win for Saints would see them close the gap on Leicester to just one point with a game in hand, whilst three points for Palace could see them go top of the division as they leapfrog Fulham.
The two sides met in Saints’ second game of the 2020/21 season, and their first at Staplewood Campus.
After Omilabu took the lead for the visitors Goran Babic stepped up for Saints and equalised just past the 20-minute mark.
But Palace claimed all three points in cruel fashion during the 92nd minute, Omilabu doing what he did against Chelsea last-time-out and grabbing two to seal the victory for his side.
