Credit: Imago/FA Cup on X

Cameron Smith

Sun 5 April 2026 9:40, UK

Leeds United have had a huge chance handed to them in the FA Cup, following Southampton’s shock quarter-final win against Arsenal.

Shea Charles would net the winner in the second half for the Saints, guaranteeing them a spot at Wembley in the process.

With Manchester City and Chelsea also through to the semi-finals, Leeds travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham on Sunday, as both sides look to impact the other during the ongoing relegation battle.

Now, with Southampton among the potential semi-final opponents, Daniel Farke may just be beginning to sniff a run to the final.

Leeds handed opportunity they must take as FA Cup heats up

Heading into the crunch point of the season, things are heating up across both the Premier League and FA Cup.

Three sides have already booked their spots at Wembley, with West Ham and Leeds to go head-to-head in the final clash of the weekend.

Championship outfit Southampton would secure the shock of the weekend, as they beat Premier League leaders and competition favourites Arsenal.

And it is the Gunners who Leeds would have wanted to avoid in a potential semi-final clash, having lost by an aggregate score of 9-0 across two matches with Mikel Arteta’s side this term.

For comparison, the Whites are unbeaten against Chelsea with a win and a draw, and have been unfortunate not to pick up points against Manchester City on two occasions this term.

Alongside this, Tonda Eckert’s Southampton would be a naturally more presentable fixture given their current status in the pyramid, and the fact that they would be without a potential home advantage.

The semi-final draw will be made following Leeds’ clash with West Ham, and Farke will take pleasure in knowing that all of the possible fixtures are absolutely winnable, handing his side a huge chance to carry the momentum into the final stage of the season.

Leeds must carry momentum from FA Cup to Premier League

As of now, the Elland Road outfit are locked in a battle for their top-flight status, with Sunday’s opponents, West Ham, fighting for the same safety spots.

The chance is there to not just make a dent in the FA Cup, but to directly influence one of their direct Premier League rivals in the Hammers.

If Leeds were to secure their pathway, it would be hard not to admit that Farke’s side now have the momentum in the relegation battle, especially with a four-point gap already.

The FA Cup can often be earmarked as a hindrance alongside the league; however, Leeds have taken the competition incredibly seriously, with wins against Derby, Birmingham and Norwich keeping hold of the form seen throughout 2026.

A run to the semi-final, and possibly even final, would spark sky-high levels of confidence, while one of their rivals has been defeated in the process, potentially impacting the survival abilities of the Irons.