English FA CUP

2026-04-26 - Chelsea vs Leeds United

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Chelsea v Leeds United
Football: English FA Cup Semi Final
Sunday 26th April 2026 - Kick Off 3pm
This game is live on TV

Chelsea

The fans voiced their anger and the players looked shellshocked after an awful display on the South Coast on Tuesday evening and it is a result that puts Chelsea in danger of missing out on European Football completely. Key members of the ownership group were watching on at the Amex Stadium and it came as no surprise when news broke that Liam Rosenior had been Sacked.

Recent form under the manager who only arrived in January was simply not good enough and too many reports about how players felt about Rosenior did him no favours. Any decision about a replacement has been kicked down the road into the summer and so it is Calum McFarlane who takes charge for the remaining fixtures beginning with this FA Cup Semi Final. This is the second time this season that McFarlane has been asked to take over the senior team having done so between the Enzo Maresca-Rosenior reigns.

Chelsea were downright embarrassing in the 3-0 defeat at Brighton and that means they have suffered losses in 7 of the last 8 games in all competitions with the exception being a 7-0 win over League One Port Vale in the FA Cup Quarter Final. That is the only fixture in the last 7 played by Chelsea in which they have scored and the current group have set a new low benchmark for the first time since 1912 in losing 5 League games in a row without scoring.

Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro missed out on Tuesday and the latter is much more likely to take part, although it would surprise no one if the former was also available. Reece James' leadership has been sorely missed and he is expected to be absent again, while Estevao is set to miss the rest of the season and potentially the World Cup.

Leeds United

A late goal on Wednesday evening earned Leeds United another point in the Premier League and you would have to imagine 40 points is enough to secure their place in the top flight for another season. This should allow Daniel Farke and the players to really put in a big effort in the bid to reach the FA Cup Final and recent form will give them plenty of belief.

It has been over fifty years since Leeds United last reached the FA Cup Final when being upset by Sunderland in 1973, while the sole success in this competition had come a year earlier in 1972. The Penalty Shoot Out win at West Ham United earlier this month has taken Leeds United into their first FA Cup Semi Final since 1987.

Leeds United are unbeaten in 7 games in all competitions after producing a 97th minute equaliser at Bournemouth on Wednesday, although 4 of those matches have ended in draws after normal time. Being able to pick up 9 points from a possible 15 in the Premier League has eased relegation concerns and means the trip to Wembley Stadium can really be enjoyed.

Jayden Bogle picked up a knock, but will be desperate to prove his fitness. Anton Stach is the other player in the squad facing a race before time to travel with his team-mates.

Head to Head

These two teams have already met twice in the Premier League this season and it is Leeds United who have earned 4 points from the matches.

The majority were earned after a comfortable home win over Chelsea, but more recently these teams played out a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Leeds United showed plenty of character to recover from 2-0 down that night to earn that important Premier League point.

Chelsea did beat Leeds United 3-2 at Stamford Bridge when these teams last met in the FA Cup in February 2024.

Prediction

Another manager has departed Stamford Bridge and there are going to be some concerned players about what the future holds for Chelsea Football Club and their own status with the team.

A decision to give Calum McFarlane the chance to lead the team for the remaining games means Chelsea have time to assess the direction in which they are travelling, while supporters may be more confident than if Liam Rosenior was leading the team into this FA Cup Semi Final.

Earlier this season, McFarlane did lead Chelsea to some positive results after Enzo Maresca departed and he will be hoping Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro are available. This will give Chelsea a boost, although overall the squad looks like it is dealing with a shattered confidence.

Daniel Farke's Leeds United have been in much stronger form and have already picked up 4 points from Chelsea in the Premier League.

Back to back Premier League wins and a draw at Bournemouth have guided Leeds United to 40 points and you have to believe that allows the manager and the squad a big incentive to reach the FA Cup Final. This is a club that have only won this competition once and who have not reached the showcase event since 1973 and there is a real momentum with Farke's men.

They did have to fight back from 2-0 down to earn a draw at Stamford Bridge, but Leeds United were comfortable winners when hosting Chelsea.

Both games featured at least three goals shared out and there is every chance we can see more of the same after recent Leeds United efforts.

Chelsea are much harder to understand, but they had been creating chances without showing the composure you would expect from the players they have. More of the same can be expected here, while the removal of Liam Rosenior may actually see something of a 'bounce back' from the Chelsea squad who had seemingly lost interest in what the former manager was asking from them.

An early goal could really spark the second FA Cup Semi Final and backing at least three goals is the play.

There was a temptation in backing Leeds United to win on current form, but Chelsea's players had responded pretty well to Calum McFarlane earlier this season and we may see that again now an unpopular manager has been removed.