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Brentford U21s will face Derby County U21s in the PDL play-offs at Wheatsheaf Park on Monday at 7pm BST. Brentford recently won the PDL title, finishing ahead of Sheffield United.
Match Preview: Brentford U21s host Derby County U21s in PDL play-offs
The knockout competition will see the top eight sides from the PDL face the sides ranked 17th-24th in the Premier League 2 (PL2) table, with the 16 teams dwindled down to two for the final, with the winner to be crowned PDL champions.
Brentford will be joined by PDL clubs Sheffield United, Bournemouth, Swansea City, Peterborough United, Huddersfield Town, Watford and Charlton Athletic.
PL2 sides Nottingham Forest, Everton, Reading, Stoke City, Newcastle, Wolves, Norwich City and Derby will also contest the competition.
The play-offs will give Sam Saunders and his group an early look at their opponents for next season, following on from the news that Brentford Academy has been awarded Category One status for the 2026/27 campaign.
The news means that Brentford will contest the PL2 and Under-18s Premier League next season.
The match starts at 7pm BST on Monday.
Brentford U21s secured the PDL title by finishing three points clear of Sheffield United.
The PDL play-offs feature the top eight teams from the PDL facing teams ranked 17th-24th in the Premier League 2, narrowing down to two finalists.
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The Bees fought out a 2-2 draw with Swansea at Gtech Community Stadium last time out, securing the PDL title for a second consecutive season.
Ethan Laidlaw opened the scoring early in the first half following a well-worked corner routine with Riley Owen.
The visitors responded midway through the first half with an equaliser and went ahead early in the second 45 minutes.
Saunders’ side responded through Romelle Donovan, who guided a superb free-kick into the bottom left corner to equalise and secure the point needed for the title.
Previously against Derby, the west Londoners enjoyed a 4-1 win away from home in the 2024/25 Premier League Cup (PL Cup) group stage. Ethan Brierley scored a hat-trick on the night, Isaac Holland adding a goal too.
The young Rams defeated the Bees 1-0 earlier that season at Wheatsheaf Park.
Derby come into Monday’s game having finished 24th in the PL2 table with five wins, five draws and 10 losses from their 20 league games.
Despite a tough run of results across the season, the Rams finished the campaign with four wins across their last five games.
Derby also competed in the PL Cup this season, finishing third in Group B with a win, two draws and three losses, missing out on the knockout stages by one point.
Tickets are available to purchase here.
Adults - £5
65+ and U25s - £3
U18 - £1
The club will have updates of the game against Derby on social media, as well as a match report on the club's website and app.