Leeds United are preparing for their first FA Cup semi-final in nearly four decades as they get ready to take on Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.
Daniel Farke’s side are the in-form team going into the game against a Chelsea side who are on their worst league run in over 114 years and sacked their manager this week.
Leeds have a huge chance to reach their first FA Cup final in over five decades if they beat the Blues this weekend. However, Farke is not expecting an easy game despite Chelsea’s poor form.
Both teams have several injury issues to sort out and will be missing some of their most important players in the showpiece game at Wembley on Sunday.
Eight players could miss the Leeds vs Chelsea semi-final
The Leeds manager confirmed that midfielder Ilia Gruev has sustained a knee injury, which will keep him out of the team for the rest of the season.
Farke is also unsure whether Anton Stach will be fit in time to return to action against Chelsea, as he was still not back in training with the squad on Thursday.
Leeds also have doubts over right-back Jayden Bogle’s fitness ahead of the FA Cup semi-final after he picked up a foot injury against Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
However, Chelsea have a few more issues to resolve compared to Leeds. Brazilian winger Estevao has been ruled out for the season after his hamstring injury against Manchester United.
Joao Pedro has also missed the last two games, and there is major uncertainty around his availability for the semi-final against Leeds.
Cole Palmer missed the Brighton game as well due to a hamstring injury and is a doubt for the Wembley showdown this weekend.
Jamie Gittens and Levi Colvill are two long-term injury absentees who will also miss the Leeds clash on Sunday.
Farke’s side must fancy themselves at Wembley
Chelsea have not had an easy time against Daniel Farke’s Leeds United this season. They lost 3-1 at Elland Road and were later held to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in February.
Leeds, for their part, have made those encounters count, picking up four points from six against a long-standing rival.
The feel around this semi-final has changed, though, especially after Chelsea decided to part ways with Liam Rosenior. That call has led many to reassess how this game at Wembley might play out.
A semi-final brings its own pressures, and Chelsea still have players who are used to those big moments. Even so, their recent dip in form, questions over confidence and fitness, along with the managerial change, have added a layer of uncertainty.
Those earlier meetings will not be forgotten, and Leeds will go into the game confident they can see it through. Right now, perhaps more than before, they are being seen as slight favourites to edge past the Blues.
