Preview | Plymouth Argyle U18s v Swansea City U18s
Swansea City Under-18s return to Professional Development League Cup action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to take on Plymouth Argyle (1pm).
The Swans booked their place in the final last term by beating Watford 2-0 in the semi-final at Landore Training Ground.
In the group stage, the Swans topped their pool following wins over Cardiff City and AFC Bournemouth, plus a thrilling 3-3 draw with Plymouth Argyle.
It's the third time the age-grade sides have met in the competition, with both teams being drawn in the same group two years in a row.
Swansea drew their opening group game following a thrilling eight-goal thriller against Bristol City which ended all-square.
The Pilgrims, who compete in the EFL Youth Alliance league, come into the fixture on the back of a two-all draw over Luton Town.
Previous meeting - November 25, 2023
Plymouth Argyle 3 Swansea City 3
Swansea City Under-18s progressed to the quarter-finals of the Professional Development League Cup after a tense and dramatic draw against Plymouth Argyle.
The Swans finished the group stage campaign top of Group E after wins over Cardiff City and AFC Bournemouth in previous rounds, holding off a late Argyle fightback on their travels to advance to the last eight.
The visitors knew they would go through if they avoided defeat, while a win would send the home side into the quarter-finals, and it made for an entertaining contest with so much at stake.
Fin Wilkes opened the scoring by tapping in a rebound for Plymouth inside 20 minutes, before Rohan Davies netted an equaliser from close range moments later.
The Swans were on the front foot from then on as Thomas Woodward sent a stunning header into the back of the net, before bagging his second from the spot in the second period.
It looked as though Swansea were about to progress in comfort but the hosts had other ideas.
They pulled one back from a penalty kick converted by Welsh youth international Joe Hatch, and had a glimmer of hope when Freddie Issaka's deflection found the net in the closing stages.
But the Swans saw out the remainder of the game and made sure there was no repeat of 12 months ago, when defeat to Plymouth had dumped them out of the same competition.
Swansea City Under-18s: Kit Margetson, Jack Fanning, Arthur Parker, Jacob Cook, Teo Minchev (Iestyn Jones 45), Harlan Perry, Josh Pescatore (captain) (Osian Williams 83), Yori Griffith (Ben Phillips 66), Rohan Davies, Thomas Woodward, Aimar Govea.
Substitutes: Ewan Griffiths Aidan Higgins.