Leeds United head to the London Stadium on Sunday to face West Ham United in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with excitement building ahead of the clash.
While their top priority remains Premier League survival, this first game after the international break offers a real chance to take a step closer to Wembley.
It’s been more than 20 years since the Whites last reached the final eight of the FA Cup, and this tie against West Ham feels like a genuine opportunity to go even further and make the semi-finals.
Both sides are still fighting near the bottom of the league, so it’s unclear whether they’ll field full-strength teams. Regardless, Nuno Espirito Santo has given his honest admission about the FA Cup and the relegation dogfight.
The West Ham boss is clear about the priorities ahead of the Leeds game
One of Leeds and West Ham will join Manchester City, Chelsea and Southampton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup after Sunday’s big game at the London Stadium.
While survival in the Premier League is likely to be Leeds and West Ham’s priority, no one can deny the importance of the game this weekend.
West Ham boss Nuno has insisted that he wants his players to focus on one game at a time and stressed that the game on Sunday is their biggest priority at the moment.
He doesn’t want West Ham to think about their next Premier League game against Wolves before negotiating Leeds in the FA Cup quarter-final.
He told reporters ahead of the game: “We play one game at a time, and we prepare for one game at a time.
“So, right now we are preparing for the FA Cup as best we can, so that we can go through.
“We cannot think about the Wolves game. First, we have to prepare for Leeds, compete well in that game, and then we will move forward.”
Daniel Fark and the Whites’ supporters will have differing priorities
For Leeds United fans, the prospect of a trip to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final is incredibly exciting — it’s the kind of cup run they’ve been longing for over the years.
However, for Daniel Farke and the club, staying in the Premier League has to take priority. Survival in the top flight means far more than a brief cup adventure.
Premier League Table – Bottom Six (Relegation Battle Overview)
| Pos | Club | 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 |
With both teams locked in a relegation battle, there’s also an element of risk. Neither side can afford to lose important players at such a crucial stage of the season.
In the end, Leeds’ focus is pretty straightforward. Their future depends on remaining in the Premier League, which is why the final seven league matches matter far more than getting carried away by FA Cup hopes.
