Credit: Tung Manh Phan/Breaking Media

Cameron Smith

Fri 24 April 2026 10:40, UK

Chelsea and Leeds United are set to lock horns in a huge FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.

Daniel Farke‘s side head into the weekend in fine form, having taken seven points from their last three matches and booked their place in the capital since returning from the international break.

With Premier League safety all but assured, Leeds can savour the occasion and throw everything at the chance to reach the final.

Chelsea, by contrast, arrive in disarray after Liam Rosenior was sacked following Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton.

Just as he did earlier in the season for Enzo Maresca, Callum McFarlane will take charge on an interim basis. Leeds, meanwhile, will sense a real opportunity to make a statement under the Wembley arch.

Form guide

Chelsea head into the weekend in bleak form, with Liam Rosenior’s tenure unravelling after what had initially appeared to be a promising start.

A 7-0 demolition of Port Vale remains their only victory since early March. In the Premier League, Chelsea are winless in five matches and most alarmingly, have failed to score in any of them.

Leeds, by contrast, arrive with momentum.

Victories over Manchester United and Wolves have underlined their sharp recent form, and they showed further resolve on Wednesday night when Sean Longstaff’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser rescued a point against Bournemouth.

Chelsea (last six games all comps): LLLWLL

Leeds (last six games all comps): DWWWDD

Head-to-head

Across both league meetings this term, Leeds have had Chelsea’s number, taking four points off the Blues.

With 105 matches played in total, the fixture remains a closely fought one, though the West Yorkshire club still holds a slight historical edge.

Earlier this season, Farke’s side produced one of their standout results of the campaign, beating Chelsea 3-1 under the lights at Elland Road.

Team news and predicted lineups

Heading into the weekend, Leeds boss Daniel Farke revealed there has been progress in Anton Stach’s recovery, with the midfielder having been absent since the quarter-final victory over West Ham.

The German is still being assessed, however, and it remains unclear whether he will be ready to feature in the capital.

Sebastiaan Bornauw, meanwhile, rolled his ankle in training and, like Stach, is being monitored after missing sessions.

There has also been a fresh setback for Leeds, with Ilia Gruev set to miss the remainder of the campaign after suffering a meniscus injury. That is likely to see Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu continue together in midfield.

Farke could make two changes to his side, with Joe Rodon in line to return to the starting XI after his comeback against Bournemouth, while Lucas Perri is expected to replace Karl Darlow in goal.

Chelsea, meanwhile, enter the final weeks of the season with an injury-hit squad under McFarlane.

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens remains sidelined, along with Reece James and Filip Jorgensen, while Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro are both being assessed after missing the defeat to Brighton.

It was also confirmed earlier this week that Brazilian winger Estevao will miss the rest of the season – and could even be ruled out of the World Cup – after sustaining a thigh injury. Levi Colwill is facing a similar spell out with a knee problem.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Acheampong, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro

Predicted Leeds XI: Perri; Justin, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor

Chelsea player to watch: Cole Palmer

When it comes to the man Leeds must watch in a Chelsea shirt, England international Palmer – assuming he is fit – stands out as the clear danger in an otherwise underperforming side.

It has been a more subdued season for the versatile attacker, who has managed 10 goals and three assists in an injury-hit campaign.

Yet on his day he remains a major threat, and if Leeds are serious about reaching the final, they must stop him cutting in on to his left foot.

We say: Chelsea 1-2 Leeds

While Chelsea are always a side to emerge in the latter stages of competitions, Leeds head into the weekend with a huge opportunity before them.

The Blues are in disarray and appear set for yet another managerial change in the summer.

Farke’s side are in fine form and could make a significant statement beneath the Wembley arch on Sunday.