Ahead of our eagerly awaited FA Youth Cup third-round clash with Bradford City this Friday (5th December, 18:00 GMT) at Selhurst Park, here’s your complete guide to the fixture!
The whole game will be broadcast LIVE on Palace TV+ on Friday (5th December), with pre-match content available from 17:45 GMT - click HERE to subscribe now and choose a package that’s right for you.
Please note that Friday's match is only accessible to viewers in the UK, due to FA broadcasting rules.
Can’t watch live? Stay up to date with live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page and look out for the full match report on our Academy news section shortly after the final whistle.
Palace U18s come into Friday’s FA Youth Cup tie in excellent form, having backed up their 4–0 Premier League Cup victory over Chelsea with a statement 4–2 win against Southampton in last weekend’s top-of-the-table clash. That result keeps the young Eagles top of the U18 Premier League on 21 points from 11 games.
Palace also have a recent history of strong performances in the FA Youth Cup. In 2023/24, the young Eagles produced memorable away wins at Plymouth Argyle and Hull City, only to fall narrowly to Chelsea at Selhurst Park in the fifth round.
Two quick goals had given the visitors control, but Palace’s late surge – capped by a Jesse Derry strike – pushed them close to a comeback.
Last season brought one of the toughest draws possible – a third-round trip to reigning champions Manchester City.
In torrential rain at the JOIE Stadium, Palace delivered a disciplined and determined display, holding the holders at bay until an 82nd-minute effort from Batty ended a brave and frustrating evening for the young Eagles.
With league form strong and recent Youth Cup experiences hardening the squad, Palace enter this year’s competition ready to make another deep run.
Bradford City arrive in South London full of confidence and battle-tested after a strong start to their 2025/26 campaign across multiple competitions.
In the FA Youth Cup, the young Bantams have impressed with two high-scoring victories. A spirited 5–3 comeback win over Stockton Town in the First Round showcased their resilience and attacking intent, before they backed it up with a commanding 4–1 victory against York City in Round Two.
Harry Parr has been their standout performer, scoring four goals across the two ties – including a hat-trick against York – with Gabe Holt also finding the target in both matches.
Their progress in other academy competitions reflects a group oozing confidence. In the U17 Professional Development League Cup, Bradford were tested by strong opposition such as Oldham Athletic and Salford City, while their U18s have also competed in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup, facing Preston North End away from home.
Results have varied, but the level of competition has contributed to a squad developing both character and tactical maturity – qualities evident in their FA Youth Cup performances.
Despite being a Category 3 Academy, Bradford have built a reputation for punching above their weight in a highly competitive region.
Their player-development record is impressive. Premier League talents Andre Wisdom and Oli McBurnie both emerged from their system, while a long list of home-grown players – including Reece Burke, Luke Hendrie, Daniel Devine, Finn Cousin-Dawson and Bobby Pointon – have progressed to make first-team debuts.
Pointon is their most notable recent success story. A graduate who turned professional in 2022, he became an important figure in the Bantams’ League Two promotion campaign, earning a nomination for the division’s Young Player of the Season.
His rise, built on Bradford’s individualised development model, serves as inspiration for the current U18 squad.
The academy has continued to strengthen in recent years. The appointment of Mark Litherland as Head of Academy in 2023 signalled a renewed ambition to establish Bradford as one of the north of England’s leading development programmes.
That progress is supported by a modern infrastructure at Woodhouse Grove, where their pre-academy trains on high-quality 4G surfaces alongside the club’s first team in a well-maintained, professional environment.
The continued growth of the academy is also shaped by the legacy of former Academy Manager Neil Matthews, whose influence is still deeply felt.
Renowned for his dedication and care for players, Matthews oversaw the development of fifteen academy graduates who went on to earn professional contracts. His values and standards remain embedded within the programme and continue to drive the club’s youth pathway forward.
Bradford City Expected XI: Alfie Venners, Jacob Tighe, Leeroy Gomes, Jack Ryder, Oscar Lunn (C), Oliver Hewitt, Hassan Ayub, Lucas Goodall, Harry Parr, Gabe Holt, Joel Martin.
Bradford are expected to arrive at Selhurst Park with a largely settled starting XI, consistent with their approach throughout this season’s FA Youth Cup run.
Competition for places remains strong within the squad, with Hassan Ayub, Thomas Cissa, Lucas Goodall and Kieron Mboma all pushing for selection as they look to earn a spot in the matchday lineup.
Bradford enter the third round with confidence, having scored eight goals and conceded four across their opening two ties.
Their victories came against the academy of Step Five side Stockton Town and fellow Category 3 outfit York City – strong performances, but fixtures that suggest the Bantams are yet to face a major test in this season’s competition.
Friday’s trip to SE25 represents their first encounter with Category 1 opposition, providing a significantly higher benchmark.
Harry Parr has been Bradford’s standout threat in this season’s FA Youth Cup, scoring four goals in two matches, including a ruthless hat-trick against York City. His movement and finishing have been central to the young Bantams’ attacking success.
Alongside him, Gabe Holt has also made a significant impact, finding the net in both rounds so far and providing a consistent creative spark in the final third.
Harry Parr can be seen above – starting from the left, he is the sixth player along.
Steve Nichol was appointed PDP Lead at Bradford City in May 2025 and now oversees the club’s U18s, including their FA Youth Cup campaign.
Nichol arrived with a strong background in youth development, having previously served as Head of Community, Junior and Youth Football Development at FC Halifax Town. His coaching pathway also includes roles at Rotherham United and Leeds United, bringing a wealth of experience from across Yorkshire’s football landscape.
Crystal Palace U18s v Bradford City U18s
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Supporters who are unable to facilitate digital tickets should contact boxoffice@cpfc.co.uk, where the team can provide a PDF ticket alternative.
