(Credit: Imago)

Oliver Walton

Fri 3 April 2026 13:00, UK

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West Ham United are being predicted to reach an FA Cup semi-final for the first time since 2006 with a win against Leeds this weekend.

Nuno Espirito Santo has overseen an upturn in the club’s fortunes over the last few months, with their FA Cup run a clear sign of the improvements he has made.

West Ham saw off EFL sides Burton Albion and QPR after entering at the third round stage, then beat Brentford on penalties last month to make it to the quarter-finals.

Fellow relegation strugglers Leeds will make the trip to the London Stadium on Sunday in a huge one-off tie that both sides are surely set to be well up for.

West Ham’s next match could define their season if they get one over a direct relegation rival and make it to Wembley for the first time since 2012 outside of league games.

Opta predict West Ham to beat Leeds this weekend

West Ham were beaten by Leeds the last time they met in October last year, with Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon giving Daniel Farke’s side an early lead at Elland Road before Mateus Fernandes’ late consolation.

Both sides will likely welcome a longer break from Premier League action after the international break, with just four points separating them near the bottom of the table as Leeds sit 15th and the Hammers occupy 18th spot.

Leeds have not lost or conceded in any of their last three matches, while Nuno’s side were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa last time out but won two of their previous three games before that.

Opta‘s supercomputer has given West Ham a 43.3 per cent chance of winning the tie, with Leeds handed a 29.9 per cent chance as it stands.

Why could FA Cup progress be key to West Ham staying in the Premier League?

West Ham do not necessarily need a distraction from the real task this season, which is staying in the Premier League, but progression to the semis could do wonders for their confidence over the next seven weeks.

Nuno was critical of his side after they lost to Villa, with the pressure seeming to take its toll a little after they had produced good results against Fulham, Brentford and Man City.

Relegation would have a huge impact on their finances, after sources told Football Insider that West Ham could lose sponsors if they are in the Championship next season.

They really should see this weekend as a free hit of sorts, but winning could not only lift fans’ spirits, but also dampen Leeds’ ahead of the last seven games of the season.

West Ham need to take all the small wins they can get if they are to stay up, and having that psychological advantage over the Whites when it comes to a potentially campaign-deciding final game at the London Stadium could be imperative for Nuno’s side.