Chelsea vs Leeds: FA Cup semi-final preview, predictions and bet builder tips

Ladbrokes brings you an in-depth match preview for Chelsea vs Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final, including predictions, lineups and bet builder tips.

Liam Rosenior, despite signing a six-year contract when becoming Chelsea boss in January 2026, was sacked from his position on Wednesday afternoon. That came after a humiliating 3-0 loss away to Brighton on Tuesday evening, with that being the fifth Premier League match in a row that his side had lost without scoring.

In his place until the end of the season will be Calum McFarlane, the man who sat in the dugout for two games in January following the departure of Enzo Maresca, before Rosenior was appointed.

McFarlane drew 1-1 with Man City in his first match as interim Blues boss, and we're expecting him to also get a result at Wembley when Chelsea face Leeds on Sunday afternoon.

With it all to play for, read on for our in-depth Chelsea vs Leeds bet builder, and don't forget to check out our complete preview of both FA Cup matches from the semi-final round.

Chelsea vs Leeds match details

• Fixture: Chelsea vs Leeds

• Competition: FA Cup

• Date: Sunday, 26 April, 2026

• Kick-off: 15:00 BST

• Venue: Wembley Stadium

Chelsea vs Leeds match prediction

Our prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Leeds

Chelsea vs Leeds predicted lineups

Chelsea

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez / Acheampong, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella / Caicedo, Lavia / Neto, Fernandez, Delap / Guiu

Leeds

Our predicted XI (3-4-3): Darlow / Justin, Bijol, Struijk / Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson / Okafor, Aaronson / Calvert-Lewin

Chelsea vs Leeds bet builder tips

Chelsea to win or draw inside 90 minutes

Tipping a team that has lost every single one of its last five Premier League matches, all without scoring, not to lose an FA Cup semi-final may seem strange. However, the new manager bounce is a real thing, and the boost in morale could tip Chelsea over the edge and lead them to victory.

While our official match prediction is for the Blues to win 2-1 inside 90 minutes, we're going with a 'double chance' win or draw pick for the first leg of our Chelsea vs Leeds bet builder.

Chelsea don't look like they're going to finish inside the Champions League spots come this season, so winning the FA Cup is the only real chance that they have of finishing the campaign on a high note. The senior players in the squad will know that, which is why we're tipping them to either win or draw the game inside 90 minutes.

Both teams to score

Again, it may appear strange to tip both teams to score here when Chelsea have gone five consecutive Premier League matches without finding the net. However, the matches between the two sides this season suggest we're going to see goals.

The two sides met for the first time this season in December, with Leeds beating Chelsea in a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Things didn't get better for the Blues when they travelled to Elland Road, with both sides cancelling the other out in a 2-2 draw.

While we aren't tipping over 3.5 goals to be scored, as has been the case in both of the two league matches between the two sides this season, history does suggest that predicting both teams to score may be worth it.

So, we're going with both Leeds and Chelsea finding the back of the net inside 90 minutes for the second-leg of our bet builder for this game.

Enzo Fernandez to have at least one shot on target

To the player-specific tips now, and we're going with Enzo Fernandez testing Leeds' goalkeeper with at least one shot on target at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

With Cole Palmer an injury doubt, Enzo is expected to start as Chelsea's attacking midfielder this weekend, a position he's filled in at for much of this season.

Our pick is supported by the data, with Enzo averaging 0.9 shots on target per game in the Premier League. Enzo took six shots across the two Chelsea vs Leeds matches this season, with over 65% of those ending up either on target or blocked.

The 2022 World Cup winner is known for trying his luck, and we're expecting him to test Leeds' number one with at least one shot on target across the 90 minutes.

Ethan Ampadu to be carded

Leeds' Welsh midfielder is always involved in the action, and we expect that to be no different as Ethan Ampadu tries to drag his side into an FA Cup final.

Ampadu is tipped to pick up a yellow card, something that he's done in 50% of his last four matches in all competitions, including in the FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham earlier this month.

Ampadu commits over one foul a game on average in the Premier League this season, with those fouls resulting in eight yellow cards across the campaign. Coming up against his former club, we're tipping Leeds' passionate captain to find himself in the referee's bad books with a yellow card once again.

You can bet on each of these markets individually, or combine them to create a Chelsea vs Leeds Bet Builder.

With Bet Builder+, you can combine your bet with selections not only with other FA Cup matches, but also with different sports.

View the latest football odds here.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.