Some fixtures carry weight beyond football. Chelsea vs Leeds at Wembley is one of them — a rivalry rooted in one of the most ferocious FA Cup finals ever played, and Sunday’s semifinal adds another chapter to a deeply personal story.
These two clubs contested the 1970 FA Cup final and subsequent replay, matches widely considered to be the dirtiest and most ferocious in English football history — eventually edged by Chelsea after extra time in the replay. Sports Illustrated Over half a century on, the stakes are just as high.
Chelsea vs Leeds Match Info at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Chelsea vs Leeds United |
| Competition | FA Cup Semi-Final |
| Date | Sunday, April 26, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 3:00 PM BST / 10:00 AM ET |
| Venue | Wembley Stadium, London |
| Referee | Jarred Gillett |
| VAR | Paul Howard |
The Form Book Says It All
Chelsea enter this tie in crisis — seven defeats from eight games, five straight league losses without a goal, and interim head coach Calum McFarlane at the helm following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior. They have failed to score in six of their last seven matches, their worst goalless run since 1912.
Leeds, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last seven games, have lost just four times in 2026, and arrive at Wembley having secured their Premier League survival — free to play with confidence and no pressure. Sports Illustrated
Team News & Injuries
Chelsea are without Levi Colwill, Jamie Gittens, Filip Jörgensen, Reece James (captain), and Estêvão — who has been ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury. João Pedro and Cole Palmer are doubts but have returned to training, with the interim boss “hopeful” both will be available. Sports Illustrated
Leeds are without Ilia Gruev (meniscus, season over) and have doubts over Anton Stach, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and Jayden Bogle, all requiring late fitness assessments. Sports Illustrated
Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernández, Neto; Pedro
Leeds XI (3-4-2-1): Perri; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Justin, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Okafor; Calvert-Lewin
How to Watch Chelsea vs Leeds?
| Country | Channel |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports 1, HBO Max |
| United States | fuboTV, ESPN2, ESPN App |
| Canada | Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Plus |
| Mexico | TNT Sports, Max Mexico |
Full FA Cup broadcast info available on the FA’s official website. Follow all match stats and updates on the Premier League official site.
For more FA Cup and football coverage, head to TechnoSports and our Football section.
Learn more about the FA Cup — the world’s oldest football cup competition — on Wikipedia.
Our Prediction
Chelsea may have the superior squad on paper, but momentum could drag Leeds to their first FA Cup final since 1973. Prediction: Chelsea 1–1 Leeds (Leeds win on penalties). Sports Illustrated
