Chelsea vs Leeds United predictions and betting tips – FA Cup upset between old rivals?

An FA Cup triumph would go some way to salvaging Chelsea’s season, even though there is plenty of doom and gloom around Stamford Bridge at the moment.

However, there is no guarantee that Chelsea will get past Leeds United in the second semi-final of the weekend. Who will book their place in the final on Sunday?

• Leeds or draw – Evens with Tote 
• Under 2.5 goals – 11/10 with Sky Bet
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score any time – 15/8 with Tote

Chelsea vs Leeds United head to head overview

• Date: Sunday 26th April.
• Kick-off: 3pm.
• Venue: Wembley Stadium, London, England.
• Where to watch: TNT Sports 1.
• Referee: Jarred Gillett.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: 10th February 2026; Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United.
• Last 10 matches: Chelsea – 6 wins; Leeds United – 2 wins; Draws – 2.
• Favourite to win: Chelsea.

Chelsea vs Leeds United predicted lineups

• Chelsea expected lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro.
• Leeds United expected lineup: Darlow; Justin, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Tanaka, Ampadu, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor.

Chelsea vs Leeds United predictions

Chelsea are in a mess entirely of their own making.

Following a 3-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday, the club sacked Liam Rosenior after just 107 days at the helm. 

Rosenior certainly made mistakes during his brief time in charge, but it is superiors who deserve most of the blame for the sorry episode. They spent 18 months grooming Rosenior for the role, then handed him a six-year deal when he was patently not ready to lead a club of Chelsea’s size.

BlueCo completed its takeover of Chelsea in 2022. A year before that, the Blues were European champions. In the 2021/22 campaign, they finished third in the Premier League.

The owners have since turned wine into water. They sacked Thomas Tuchel within months because they wanted to bring in their own man, but Graham Potter did not last long. 

Neither, in the grand scheme of things, did Mauricio Pochettino or Enzo Maresca, both of whom departed after seeing their desire for more control rejected by club officials who felt they knew better despite a lack of supporting evidence.

BlueCo have been calling the shots for four years now, and Chelsea have gone backwards in that time. Their approach to recruitment has been bizarre, not least the deliberate shunning of any player with proven experience. 

And so Chelsea head into this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final with Calum McFarlane in charge. The 40-year-old will attempt to bring about a short-term improvement, but what happens beyond that is anyone’s guess.

Leeds United will be well up for this. They are safe from the threat of relegation to the Championship, allowing them to throw everything at the FA Cup. Chelsea beware.

Chelsea vs Leeds United betting tips

One of Chelsea or Leeds United will advance to the FA Cup final this weekend – who will it be?

Chelsea need to be careful

It is always difficult to predict how a team will react to the departure of a manager, but the omens are not particularly good for Chelsea.

For one, it is not as if all the team’s failings can be pinned on Rosenior. Secondly, Chelsea’s confidence is shot after a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats without scoring.

Leeds United are tricky opposition. They are competitive in virtually every fixture they contest and are rarely beaten heavily.

Leeds will make life difficult for Chelsea on Sunday. Their fans, team, management and owners are united as one. The same cannot be said for their opponents.

Tip a Leeds United win or a draw at evens with Tote

Low goal count at Wembley

Although they head into this game in better form, Leeds United will be content to cede possession to Chelsea at times.

Daniel Farke will ensure his team are difficult to play through, with a particular emphasis on denying the likes of Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez space between the lines.

Chelsea’s attack has been misfiring of late, with no goals in six matches if you exclude the FA Cup quarter-final against third-tier outfit Port Vale.

McFarlane may have some success in tightening up the defence, but the goals are unlikely to suddenly start flowing for the Blues.

Back under 2.5 goals at 11/10 with Sky Bet

Calvert-Lewin to lead Leeds attack

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in with a chance of going to the World Cup with England, which says everything about how he has rebuilt his career at Leeds United.

First and foremost, Calvert-Lewin has been able to stay fit this term, putting the injury woes that dogged his last few seasons at Everton behind him.

He has thrived in Farke’s system, latching onto crosses from out wide and holding the ball up for his team-mates.

Calvert-Lewin has scored 12 goals so far. He can bully Chelsea’s defenders on his way to a 13th strike this weekend.

Go for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score any time at 15/8 with Tote

Chelsea vs Leeds United latest odds

Find the latest Chelsea vs Leeds United betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More FA Cup predictions

We have plenty more FA Cup predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Chelsea vs Leeds United for betting

Since the November international break, Leeds United have only lost one game by more than a single goal. Including interims, nine individuals have managed Chelsea since they last won the FA Cup in 2018.

The 1970 FA Cup final between these two teams is one of the most famous in the competition’s history.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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