"Too much" - Leeds United fans in disagreement on FA Cup semi-final vs Chelsea as predictions are made

Leeds United are heading for the club’s first FA Cup semi-final for 39 years - but what do the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say on Sunday afternoon’s Wembley showdown against historic bitter rivals Chelsea.

KEITH INGHAM

Sunday the 26th of April, 2026.

It sounds like any other Sunday but this one isn’t.

This one is when tens of thousands of Leeds United fans travel to London to Wembley for their first FA Cup semi-final since their 1987 defeat to Coventry City, when unfortunately, after going ahead through David Rennie, they ultimately lost 3-2 in extra-time.

Sunday’s game against Chelsea presents this team with an opportunity to put one over one of their most disliked opponents.

Chelsea and Leeds have history, on and off the pitch. In the FA Cup, Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 in the 1967 semi-final. Leeds were denied a late equaliser when a free-kick was ordered to be retaken after Peter Lorimer had scored.

The Londoners also beat them in the 1970 FA Cup Final. A 2-2 draw at Wembley was followed by a 2-1 replay defeat at Old Trafford. In both games Leeds had led but ultimately lost.

Times have changed since the ‘mud pie’ of a field in that 1970 game. It should be a lush green field that greets both teams.

I’d love to think that I’m celebrating with 33,000 other fans at the end of the game. It could go all the way to penalties but hopefully it’s done in normal time or in extra-time.

Prediction: Chelsea 1 Leeds United 2 (after extra-time).

DAVID WATKINS

A Wembley FA Cup semi-final! Who’d have seen that possibility back in August?

Until now, our FA Cup adventure has been little more than a side show with the main event being our season-long fight to stay in the Premier League. But, having got this close and (almost) having put the main event to bed, wouldn’t it just cap a tremendous effort by Farke’s boys to get to Wembley for the ‘big one’?

Leeds have been a tough team to beat for months – four defeats in 25 games in all competitions since that half-time epiphany at the Etihad. Perhaps significantly, that run began with a 3-1 victory over Chelsea.

Compare that with Chelsea recently, and, at the very least, we travel to Wembley with hope. Chelsea started well under Liam Rosenior, winning four of the first five league games after he joined. But recently, they have imploded, with defeats in six of their last seven Premier League games and a humiliation at the hands of PSG in the Champions League.

I don’t think they are as bad as their recent results suggest, though, and they have been clinical during their FA Cup run. With a heavy heart, I think they’ll have too much experience for us.

Prediction: Chelsea 2 Leeds United 1.

MIKE GILL

The Whites have given themselves the opportunity to roll back the years as they travel to Wembley to meet their old protagonists Chelsea.

Younger fans will join in the ‘We hate Chelsea’ chants without fully understanding the brutal history of the rivalry between the two sides but many bone-crunching encounters took place in the past.

If these games had been played today with modern referees, very few of the players would have remained on the pitch as games ended.

In 2026, although Chelsea find themselves several positions and points ahead of Leeds, it could be argued that the Whites are currently in a much happier place. The Blues fans have been protesting about their ownership and there is a poisonous atmosphere around Stamford Bridge.

Their team will struggle to qualify for the Champions League again this season and they will have a caretaker coach - Calum McFarlane - in charge on Sunday following Liam Rosenior's sacking on Wednesday.

Of course, Chelsea are favourites to win this game but the Whites have nothing to fear. Worries about London ‘curses’ and poor cup performances need to be assigned to the history books along with all the other myths.

Prediction: Chelsea 1 Leeds United 2.

ANDY RHODES

At the start of the season, few would have expected Leeds to get to an FA Cup final.

We might not have the easiest draw on paper, but we know that anything can happen in these sorts of games.

Chelsea are not in form, with their solitary win in their last eight games coming in this very competition.

Whether that turns out to be a good omen or a bad one remains to be seen, but Leeds are in much better form.

Noah Okafor will be central to Leeds’ success on the day, given his impressive recent performances.

However, every player will need to be on top form to overcome a good Chelsea side.

Leeds famously don’t have much luck in London, and particularly at Wembley.

If they overturn that reputation with a win on Sunday it would mark a real achievement for the club and Daniel Farke.

It would also cap a potentially incredible season for a side many predicted to go back down to the Championship.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United (Chelsea win 3-2 after extra-time).

NEIL GREWER

Tomorrow sees United take part in an FA Cup semi-final which a generation of Whites will not have experienced – hopefully the experience will improve on last time.

Football has changed so much since that last semi, not least the game providing the Wembley experience rather than Hillsborough.

Chelsea’s recent form has been poor, vastly different to the form Leeds are in. The London curse has now been extinguished after the quarter-final.

The noise from the Leeds end will exceed that from the Londoners and Leeds are getting the rub of the green with deflected shots becoming goals and VAR not unduly punishing.

Daniel Farke is getting the best from his squad despite injuries with the sum of the team exceeding the sum of the parts (due to Farke and his team). Conversely, the now departed Liam Rosenior was unable to get his boys to click. Leeds are currently a match for anyone.

So, from the last time the teams met my confidence in a Leeds victory has increased. And so much so I now predict a victory. I think a strong Leeds team will succeed on penalties again having put the fanbase through another emotional roller-coaster.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Chelsea 2 (Leeds win on pens).