- West Ham United U21 have won two, drawn two and lost just one of their last five matches in the Premier League 2.
- Derby County U21 have failed to win any of their last five, drawing three and losing two.
- West Ham United U21 have scored 14 goals in their seven away matches in the Premier League 2, while Derby County U21 have conceded nine in their six home fixtures.
Hammers’ home form will help them outplay Rams
West Ham United U21 enter Friday’s Premier League 2 clash with Derby County U21 in much better form than their opponents after winning their last two games in convincing fashion.
Zavon Hines has taken over the U21 squad and has seen an immediate upturn in results, with the Hammers following up a 3-0 win at home to Crystal Palace Academy with a 3-1 win away at Leeds United Academy.
The hosts have struggled of late and come into this game after a 1-1 draw at Manchester United Academy and a 4-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion Academy.
Jake Buxton has been trying to get his players to be more clinical with Derby in possession while setting up his team in a compact shape to absorb pressure, but it has not been a winning formula.
Buxton’s boys have been solid but toothless at home
Derby County U21 have had a very poor start to the 2025-26 campaign and currently sit in 29th place in the Premier League 2 with just 8 points from 15 games. West Ham United U21 are in 8th with 27 points from 16 matches, so there is a significant gulf in quality between the two teams.
West Ham United U21's away form has been solid, if unspectacular, with 2 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in seven away matches. Derby County U21 have drawn their two most recent home games; at home they have shown defensive resilience but have lacked cutting edge.
Hines’ team can play at a blistering pace and they press high up the pitch with intensity. They will look to catch Derby out by disrupting their build-up play, while Preston Fearon, who has 3 of the Hammers’ 10 goals in their last 5 matches, can cause all sorts of trouble with his pace. The Rams can be stubborn and difficult to break down when they are well organised, but we think the visitors’ superior quality, league position and recent form should see them home.
Hammers have the firepower to score goals
The bookies have made the visitors clear favourites at 67/100 with Derby County U21 at 68/25, so we will take the Over 2.5 goals option here at 37/100. West Ham’s pressing style should force the Rams into making mistakes and could lead to an open game with goals at both ends.
