Barclays Under-21 Premier League fixtures

[oskarutd]

The fixtures for the 2013/14 Barclays Under-21 Premier League have been released today with a new format for the forthcoming campaign.
There will be one national division, the Barclays Under-21 Premier League, comprised of 22 Category 1 Academies.
The Academies involved are: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Reading, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Having played each other once, either home or away, the top four teams in the table will progress to the semi-final stage and final to determine the overall Barclays Under-21 Premier League winners.
The Academies who finish first and fourth in the League will meet in one semi-final, with the former at home, while the second and third-placed clubs will meet in the other semi-final, with the League runners-up deemed the home team.
This season each team is required to play at least three of their home matches at their nominated home stadium, with training grounds and Academy venues permitted for the staging of up to three home matches.
2013/14 Barclays Under-21 Premier League fixtures

*Please note these fixtures are subject to change
13 August
Arsenal v Manchester United, TBC, 7pm
19 August
Manchester United v Liverpool, TBC, 7pm

23 August
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United, The Hawthorns, 2pm

16 September
Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers, TBC, 7pm

11 October
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United, White Hart Lane, 7pm

21 October
Everton v Manchester United, Goodison Park, 7pm

28 October
Manchester United v Fulham TBC, 7pm

4 November
Manchester United v Stoke City, TBC, 7pm

16 December
Manchester United v Sunderland, TBC, 7pm

10 January, 2014
Southampton v Manchester United, Staplewood Training Ground, 7.30pm

20 January
Manchester United v Middlesbrough, TBC, 7pm

27 JanuaryManchester United v Manchester City, TBC, 7pm

3 February
Leicester City v Manchester United, King Power Stadium, 7pm

10 February
Manchester United v West Ham United, TBC, 7pm

17 February
Newcastle United v Manchester United, Northumberland FA, 7pm

3 March
Manchester United v Norwich City, TBC, 7pm

10 March
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United, AFC Telford United, 7pm

24 March
Manchester United v Chelsea, TBC, 7pm

31 March
Reading v Manchester United, Madejski Stadium, 7pm

7 April
Manchester United v Aston Villa, TBC, 7pm

Week commencing 26 April
Barclays U21 Premier League semi-finals

Week commencing 3 May
Barclays U21 Premier League Final

link.

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

Looks like the u21s have a crap start too.

 

[LR7]

This format seems better than last seasons.

 

[PS18]

Don't see the point in playoffs, other than providing extra games for four teams. Still a joke that clubs are allowed to stage games at training grounds. Tend to think a 21-game season is too short as well, but hopefully the new U21 cup will fill out the schedule a bit.

 

[gooDevil]

We apparently play a lot of closed door friendlies as well. Sucks to not be able to watch them, but probably good for the players to not always have to worry about the world watching.

 

[SkeppyRed]

We apparently play a lot of closed door friendlies as well. Sucks to not be able to watch them, but probably good for the players to not always have to worry about the world watching.

I'd say it's the opposite goo, better having that added pressure to perform in front of in preparation for first team football. Maybe at u16 level and lower then I would understand but these 17 plus year olds are suppose to be on the brink of first team football.

 

[gooDevil]

I just realized they changed the format!

Great to see we get Liverpool, Chelsea and City at home, should get a decent crowd. Of course away to Spurs, Southampton, Everton and Arsenal is no picnic.

Can't say I'm a big fan of playing only home or away, would much rather see everyone play twice. I suppose they have to have their mini-tournament, so you could still take the top 4 teams and have two semi-finals.