Leeds United will travel to the London Stadium next Sunday to take on West Ham in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, and there is big anticipation around the game.
The Whites are focused on securing Premier League safety. However, their immediate task after the international break could help them make an appearance at Wembley this season.
Leeds have reached the last eight of the FA Cup after more than 20 years, and playing West Ham means they have a decent chance of playing in the semi-finals.
It’ll be interesting to see whether two sides caught in a relegation battle go full strength on Sunday. That said, Leeds head into the game with a clear advantage.
West Ham sweating over fitness of key players ahead of the Leeds clash
Gabriel Gudmundsson’s willingness to put his body on the line for Sweden despite suffering a knock against Ukraine last week is a cause of concern for Leeds.
However, the Whites have a relatively clean bill of health ahead of the FA Cup clash at the London Stadium on Sunday.
But West Ham have a few concerns ahead of the big game, and as many as three players could miss the clash against Leeds next weekend.
Crysencio Summerville missed West Ham’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa ahead of the break, and there is no clarification on whether he will be fit for the Leeds clash.
Jean-Claire Todibo also pulled out of the Aston Villa game at the last moment after picking up an injury during the warm-up at Villa Park.
However, West Ham are hopeful that the defender will be ready to be in the starting eleven against the Whites on Sunday.
Lukasz Fabianski has been sidelined with a back injury for months and is not expected to return to the team any time soon.
Daniel Farke’s team selection on Sunday will say it all
For Leeds fans, the chance to see their team at Wembley in an FA Cup semi-final is hugely appealing; it’s the kind of deep cup run they’ve been craving for years.
But for Daniel Farke and the club, Premier League survival will take priority. Staying up carries far greater weight than a one-off appearance in the last four of the FA Cup.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Leeds United | 31 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 33 |
| 16 | Nottingham Forest | 31 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 31 | 43 | -12 | 32 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 31 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 40 | 50 | -10 | 30 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 31 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 36 | 57 | -21 | 29 |
| 19 | Burnley | 31 | 4 | 8 | 19 | 33 | 61 | -28 | 20 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 31 | 3 | 8 | 20 | 24 | 54 | -30 | 17 |
Farke is expected to rotate his side against West Ham United, keeping his key players fresh for the trip to Manchester United and the crucial run-in that follows.
Ultimately, Leeds’ long-term ambitions hinge on remaining in the top flight, which is why their focus is firmly on the final seven league games rather than a cup distraction.
