Having won three of the last four titles, our youthful Elite Development Squad will be aiming to build on last term’s 23rd place finish across the next year.
Ahead of the campaign, there have also been changes off the field which has seen Ben Wilkinson appointed as EDS Lead Coach – moving into the role from his position of Under-18s Lead Coach.
And his side will open the PL2 campaign with a trip to Liverpool on Saturday 17 August.
City’s youngsters will then travel to Derby County six days later before our first match at the Joie Stadium where we’ll welcome Everton on Sunday 1 September.
Other notable fixtures include a home meeting with reigning champions Spurs on Monday 17 February and an away game against Manchester United on 21 September.
Premier League 2 will remain the same format as it was last term with just one division made up of 26 clubs with Category One Academies.
There will be 20 matchweeks, with each Under-21 side playing 20 regular-season matches across the season.
Following the conclusion of the regular campaign, the top 16 teams will qualify for a single elimination play-off.
Teams will be drawn against each other based on their league positions, for example the team finishing first facing the team that finished 16th. These will be one-off elimination matches with the higher-seeded team at home.
In addition, the teams finishing the regular season in the top 12 will also be invited to take part in the following term’s Premier League International Cup competition.
The announcement of our Premier League 2 fixtures follows the confirmation of our EFL Trophy schedule as our Under-21s will face Chesterfield, Grimsby Town and Lincoln in Group G.
For City’s full Premier League 2 fixtures, read below – please note all dates are subject to change.
FULL PL2 FIXTURES
Saturday 17 August | Liverpool (A)
Friday 23 August | Derby (A)
Sunday 1 September | Everton (H)
Saturday 21 September | Manchester United (A)
Friday 27 September | Aston Villa (H)
Saturday 5 October | West Ham (H)
Saturday 26 October | West Brom (A)
Friday 1 November | Norwich (H)
Saturday 30 November | Sunderland (A)
Monday 16 December | Nottingham Forest (A)
Friday 10 January | Brighton (H)
Friday 17 January | Stoke City (H)
Monday 27 January | Wolves (A)
Monday 10 February | Blackburn (A)
Monday 17 February | Spurs (H)
Friday 21 February | Middlesbrough (A)
Friday 28 February | Chelsea (H)
Sunday 16 March | Crystal Palace (H)
Friday 4 April | Fulham (A)
Friday 11 April | Newcastle (H)
