LOUIE LEFEVRE SHARES EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO TO KNOW ABOUT THE PREMIER LEAGUE CUP
Wolves have discovered their groupings for this year’s Premier League Cup at U21, U18 and U17 level. The competition presents a chance for academy sides of different categories to take each other on in an initial group stage before the top two of each group move onto the knockouts.
The U21s face home and away ties against Millwall, Swansea City and Nottingham Forest. Millwall are a category 2 academy and compete in the Professional Development League, the second tier of U21 football. Wolves’ opening fixture will be against The Lions on the 26th September and will be played at the home ground of the Championship club, The Den. Millwall then visit Aggborough on Monday 8th December.
Nottingham Forest are the only other category 1 academy team in Wolves’ group. The two sides met on the opening day of the last Premier League 2 season but weren’t due to play this year. Now though, Forest will come to Kidderminster on Monday 22nd December, with Wolves making the trip to Loughborough on Friday 21st November.
Swansea are the final team and another category 2 academy that will be hoping to upset the two top tier teams. Swansea previously had Category 1 status but downgraded due to financial concerns. The Swans have a rich history in the competition, with two finals played at the Liberty Stadium in 2017 and 2018. Swansea were victorious in 2017, beating Reading to lift the trophy. They were unfortunately unable to repeat the feat the following year, with Aston Villa beating them in the final on penalties.
The U18s and U17s have a different format, with the teams only playing each other once in the group stage. The U18s will take on Everton, Bristol City and Southampton with the first game at home against The Toffees taking place next week at Compton. The Jack Hayward training ground will also play host to the fixture with Southampton while Wolves take to Bristol in between the two home games.
The U17s meanwhile have arguably the most interest of the draws. They face a visit to West Brom’s training ground for a Black Country Derby. This is not their only away fixture as they will begin their tournament by visiting Swansea, a shared opponent with the U21s. Their only home game will be Reading on Tuesday 30th September. Full fixture information for all three sides is below. U21 PL Cup games at home are free for season ticket holders, but individual tickets will be available.
Wolves U21s Premier League Cup fixtures:
26th September – Millwall (A) – The Den (7PM)
20th October – Swansea City (H) – TBC (7PM)
21st November – Nottingham Forest (A) – Loughborough University Stadium (7PM)
8th December – Millwall (H) – Aggborough (7PM)
13th December – Swansea City (A) – Swansea City Academy (3PM)
22nd December – Nottingham Forest (H) – Aggborough (7PM)
Wolves U18s Premier League Cup fixtures:
26th August – Everton (H) – Compton Park (1PM)
4th October – Bristol City (A) – Bristol City Training Ground (11AM)
22nd November – Southampton (H) – Compton Park (1PM)
Wolves U17s Premier League Cup fixtures:
16th September – Swansea City (A) – Swansea City Academy (5:30PM)
30th September – Reading (H) – Compton Park (1PM)
21st October – West Bromwich Albion (A) – West Brom Training Ground (1PM)
ARTICLE BY LOUIE LEFEVRE
I’m a student and a season ticket holder. I enjoy talking about the next generation of Wolves players and you can usually spot me on Match of the day behind the goal!