Chelsea vs Leeds United Prediction 26.04.2026 | Premier League

Chelsea arrive at Wembley Stadium amid a period of significant institutional upheaval, with the club navigating one of its most turbulent phases in recent memory following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior just days before this season-defining encounter.

The West London side enter this FA Cup semi-final still carrying the scars of a damaging run of form, having suffered five consecutive Premier League defeats without scoring, a drought that has seen their expensively assembled squad fall into a state of attacking paralysis at the worst possible moment in the campaign.

Now under the interim guidance of Calumn McFarlane, the Blues must rediscover the clinical edge that propelled them to a dominant 7-0 victory over Port Vale in the previous round, fully aware that the FA Cup represents their only realistic route to silverware and European qualification in what has otherwise been a deeply disappointing 2025-26 season.

However, Chelsea’s hopes of reaching the final are further complicated by a mounting injury crisis, with key absentees including Reece James and Levi Colwill, while Estevao has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, leaving the squad significantly weakened ahead of this crucial clash.

Leeds United arrive at the national stadium buoyed by a powerful sense of momentum and belief, as they prepare for their first FA Cup semi-final appearance in 39 years, following a campaign shaped by resilience, tactical discipline, and clinical efficiency under Daniel Farke.

The Whites secured their place at Wembley Stadium via a dramatic 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over West Ham United in the quarter-finals, a result that perfectly encapsulated the never-say-die mentality instilled by their manager, with Leeds also surpassing the 40-point mark in the Premier League to effectively secure their top-flight status.

With the historical inspiration of their 1972 FA Cup triumph, Leeds view this encounter as a prime opportunity to capitalise on instability within Chelsea’s setup, relying on strong team cohesion and renewed fighting spirit that has powered them to a seven-match unbeaten run, including four victories.

On the team news front, Daniel Farke will be without midfield duo Anton Stach and Ilia Gruev, although he still possesses sufficient depth to maintain balance and control in the middle of the park.