U23s Preview

Last updated : 16 August 2021 By .leedsunited.com

via the official Leeds United website; https://www.leedsunited.com/

Champions begin the new season away from home.

Mark Jackson’s Under 23s side play their first match of the 2021/22 season on Monday evening, when they travel to face Crystal Palace (19:00).

The Whites head to Selhurst Park to take on Palace, having been promoted alongside one another from Premier League 2 Division Two in the 2020/21 campaign.

A strong season for both teams saw Jackson’s side win the division with a superb total of 56 points from 24 matches. The Eagles finished up in third, then went on to win the play-offs and secure promotion to the top division.

The league table consists of 14 teams for this year, with everyone playing each other home and away over the course of the campaign. 

During pre-season, Leeds United’s Under-23s were challenged with tough fixtures against Guiseley AFC, Fleetwood Town, Manchester City and Ajax. Those warm-up fixtures helped to prepare for Monday night’s big kick-off.

Managed for by former player Shaun Derry, Palace got the better of Leeds last season on home turf with a 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Sion Spence.  

It’s possible that neither goal-scorer from that day will feature on Monday night, with the Rak-Sakyi making his first team Premier League debut at the weekend, and the latter being out on loan at Bristol Rovers. 

At Thorp Arch, the points also went to the home side, with Leeds running out 4-1 winners on that occasion. Joe Gelhardt scored twice in the match, with Cody Drameh and Max Dean also hitting the back of the net. 

The match will also see the return of fans allowed to the Premier League 2 Division One fixtures, with tickets priced at Adults (aged 21-65) £5, Concession £1, Under-21s £1 and Seniors £1.