Albion Under-21s will have to show plenty of fight if they are to stretch their unbeaten run in PL youth competitions to 10 matches against Crystal Palace on Monday night (ko 7pm).
The Eagles travel to the Midlands with two consecutive Premier League 2 wins on the bounce under their belts, and an in-form striker in Ademola Ola-Adebomi who has netted four goals from those victories.
Still, Richard Beale’s men will be confident despite not winning their most recent outing, but keen to be more clinical when they step out under the lights this time around.
Last time out
The Baggies’ PL2 team produced a dominant display in their recent Black Country derby against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but couldn’t find a winning goal as they drew 1-1.
Harry Whitwell’s equaliser helped the club’s youngsters claim a deserved point and although they had numerous opportunities to win the contest; notably, Akeel Higgins smashing the crossbar and Eseosa Sule firing a one-on-one straight at the Wolves ‘keeper, Beale’s boys had to settle for a point.
A fine derby day equaliser from @HarryWhitwell08! 💪
Watch the full highlights from our youngsters' #PL2 draw with Wolves here! 👇— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) February 18, 2025
Venue
Albion’s young pros will be aiming to keep the good feeling at Solihull Moors’ Damson Park stadium going on Monday night.
They’ve won their last two matches at the National League side’s home ground against Fleetwood Town (PL Cup) and Newcastle United (PL2).
Pre-match thoughts
Not many have the misfortune of going more than 480 days without kicking a ball in their professional career, but promising centre-half Jamal Mohammed is one of them.
A Premier League 2 game against Fulham in September 2023 saw the towering defender go down within eight minutes after suffering both a bilateral meniscus and ACL tear in his left leg - an event which would sideline him for over a year (488 days, to be specific).
Resilience, and no shortage of fight, has helped the Camden-born academy player get back on track at The Hawthorns, returning to competitive action for the first time as a substitute against Liverpool in January 2025, before a first start versus Newcastle the following month.
Being back in the 21s fold has made the 18-year-old even more thankful to the Baggies for believing in his capabilities during his time out of action, and Mohammed insists he is playing the best football of his career at present - further evidence of his increased motivation to succeed.
Palace next up will be no easy game if Albion’s 21s are to extend their undefeated streak in Premier League youth competitions, but Jamal says he and his team-mates go into their match at Solihull targeting the three points they need to rise up the table before the end of February.
“It was more than 480 days out for me, which was a struggle, but I had to push through it, come into training every day and work my hardest,” said Mohammed.
“I had a couple of setbacks along the way, but each time I hit back harder and harder trying to become the best player I could be on the pitch.
“It was good to see the club had faith in me when they offered me my professional contract last summer, especially with it being a two-and-a-half-year deal.
“They could have released me because I’d been out for such a long time, but I’m just appreciative of the fact that they have belief and trust in me to, hopefully, be in the first team one day.
“The club have high hopes for me, but I have to prove myself to them, the players, staff and the fans to show them what I can do.
“I got my first start in such a long time against Newcastle and played 73 minutes. It was a good benchmark for me and I feel I play a better match when I’m in from the start.
“I’m performing better than I was before I got injured and from here, it can only be up and we’ll only see better performances.
“I’ve got more passion for the game, I’m even hungrier to play and I have so much more to prove to people.
“We have a great chance this season. We’re going into Monday to win because that’s always what we want to achieve and I believe each player in our squad has the talent to do what they want and go where they deserve to be in their careers which, hopefully, is as high as the Premier League.
“We’ll be working hard and that is always a big point for motivation for all of the lads if we are to secure further contracts and game time in the first team one day.”
How to follow
Match tickets will be available for Monday night’s Premier League 2 game versus Crystal Palace.
They are priced at £5 adults, and £1 for Under-17s and 65+, while Albion season ticket holders are able to watch the game for free. Supporters are able to purchase tickets on the gate outside the Damson Homes Stand. Free parking at the stadium will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Alternatively, WBA TV+ subscribers will be able to watch a live stream of the game here from 6.20pm.
Supporters can keep up-to-date with Monday's PL2 match across the club’s social media channels, with half-time, full-time, and goal updates as they go in.
