West Ham United vs Leeds United
West Ham United welcomes Leeds United to the London Stadium on Sunday for a quarter-final FA Cup meeting, a huge game in itself and a welcome distraction from their league worries.
The two sides are embroiled in a relegation battle, sitting 18th and 15th in the Premier League table with just four points separating them and, with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur with their new manager Roberto De Zerbi, in a four way fight.
Back to Sunday, the FA Cup 2026 betting odds see both Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham and Daniel Farke’s Leeds as rank outsiders; but they are only one win away from an appearance at Wembley Stadium in a semi-final experience to savour, and fans of both clubs would simply love that day out, late in April.
West Ham overcame Brentford on penalties to reach this tie, thanks to a bizarre Dango Ouattara Panenka attempt and a Jarrod Bowen brace in normal time. Leeds had an easier ride, seeing off Championship side Norwich City 3-0 at Elland Road.
Talking Points
Summerville hoping to meet his old mates
West Ham’s recent revival and fighting spirit have been down to a collective effort under Nuno, but one player who has clearly enjoyed the club’s fight-back, and is desperate to make some FA Cup 2026 highlights on Sunday, is winger Crysencio Summerville.
The 24 year old Netherlands U21 star moved to the London Stadium in a £25m deal in 2024, following four years with Leeds, where he scored 23 goals in 77 games. He scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Fulham recently, but following a calf strain he picked up in the FA Cup victory over the Bees he missed the next two games, and was not involved with the Netherlands over the international break. Reports from East London suggest the time off has been beneficial and Summerville may be ready to play his part, and that is good news for Hammers fans.
Captain marvel Jarrod Bowen will be a key man in attack, as always, while Tomas Soucek, always a danger from set pieces, will look to dominate the midfield; and Alphonse Areola is set to return in goal as Nuno’s first choice for cup games.
Farke will rotate his squad
On their return to the Premier League, the Leeds United owners, fans and manager knew they would likely be in a relegation fight and they must, collectively, be pretty happy to have a four point cushion with seven games to play. Much like the Hammers, the Yorkshire side’s number one priority is to retain their Premier League status, so Farke, knowing this will be a difficult game, may well rest some players and rotate his squad.
With a near fully fit group, Switzerland striker Noah Okafor the only doubt, Farke has plenty of choice, and he may give a chance to Argentine forward Facundo Buonanotte, who arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion on loan in January. The 21 year old has already made an appearance in the FA Cup but he was an unused substitute in the win over Norwich. This may be Buonanotte’s chance to shine and alongside the likes of Daniel James and Joel Piroe, he has the potential to stretch the Hammers’ defence.
Captain and defensive midfielder Ethan Ampadou has had an excellent season and he will relish a tussle with Soucek, while Slovenian centre back Jaka Bijol is sure to have a busy afternoon.
History
Both clubs have won the FA Cup before, West Ham three times, the last occasion in 1980 while Leeds won their one FA Cup title in 1972.
In terms of head-to-head meetings, Leeds have won 14 to West Ham’s seven and there have been seven draws over the past 28 encounters, and at the London Stadium the men of Yorkshire are still ahead by five wins to four while there have been five draws.
When the two teams met at Elland Road in October, Leeds won 2-1 while the last meeting at the London Stadium, in 2023, saw the Hammers win 3-1.
Both teams have won one, drawn three and lost two of their last six games.
Betting Tip
With Leeds at SBOTOP odds of 2.75 and the Draw at 3.63 all three results are well in play, and recent form says we’ll have a tight match. But I think West Ham’s more experienced squad will rise to the occasion and, for a correct score line, I believe a 2-1 home win, at a price of 8.85, will not be far from the mark.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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