READING FC will open their Under 18 Premier League campaign with a home game against Swansea City on August 12.

Like all Royals U18s home fixtures, the match will take place behind closed doors at the club’s Hogwood Park training ground.

Reading’s first away trip of the campaign will see David Dodds’ U18s travel to Chelsea on Saturday, August 19 before another away game at Leicester City the following week.

A new intake of players will be making the step up from the U16s to the U18s squad for the new season.

They will join the younger half of last year’s U18s squad who move onto the final year of their two-year scholarships.

In all, Reading will play 22 league games in the league’s southern section.

They will also be involved in the inaugural U18 Premier League Cup where they will be placed in a group of four, as well as competing in the FA Youth Cup.

Reading U18 fixtures:

Swansea City (H), Saturday, Aug 12.

Chelsea (A), Saturday, Aug 19.

Leicester City (A), Saturday, Aug 26.

Fulham (H), Saturday, Sept 9.

Arsenal (A), Saturday, Sept 23.

Tottenham Hotspur (H), Saturday, Sept 30.

Norwich City (A), Saturday, September 14.

West Ham United (A), Saturday, Sept 21.

Southampton (H), Saturday, November 18.

Aston Villa (H), Saturday, November 25.

Brighton (A), Saturday, Dec 9.

Chelsea (H), Saturday, Jan 6.

Swansea City (A), Saturday, Jan 13.

Leicester City (H), Saturday, Jan 20.

Fulham (H), Saturday, Feb 3.

Arsenal (H), Saturday, Feb 10.

Tottenham Hotspur (A), Saturday, Feb 24.

Norwich City (H), Saturday, Mar 3.

Southampton (A), Saturday, Mar 17.

West Ham United (H), Saturday, Ap 7.

Aston Villa (A), Saturday, Ap 14.

Brighton & Hove Albion (H), Sat, April 21.