Nottingham Forest U18 vs Blackburn Rovers U18 - U18 Premier League - North

The U18 Premier League - North returns to the home ground on May 9, 2026, where Nottingham Forest U18 and Blackburn Rovers U18 will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. That coronation came from City's £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson - and has been hotly debated in the build-up to the Manchester derby Super Sunday showdown at Old Trafford, which you can watch live on Sky Sports.

Both Nottingham Forest U18 and Blackburn Rovers U18 will be eager to build momentum when they meet in U18 Premier League - North. It has been a dominant campaign for the hosts, LWWW over their last five and a win rate of 75% that few in the U18 Premier League - North can match. The visitors have been a steady presence on the road, WLLW in their last five and a campaign win rate of 50%. The contrast in attacking output — 3.25 versus 1.25 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. If he finds a way of those three players gelling and playing together - making one of them run in beyond - then Chelsea will have a very good season.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Nottingham Forest U18 will look to impose their style on home soil, while Blackburn Rovers U18 are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. The 29-year-old ranked 4th in strokes gained approach in 2026, and he has finished outside the top four in that specific category only once in the seven full seasons he has played on the PGA Tour.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. There have been comparisons made between the left-footed Kukonki and Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 3-3 draw is easy to envisage. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. The Spaniard heading to Barca all but rules out a midfield departure from the Bernabeu and thus United will likely have to look elsewhere.