Leeds United’s FA Cup route to Europe explained before semi-final with Chelsea | OneFootball

Leeds United are one win from their first FA Cup final since 1973, facing Chelsea at Wembley with the London club looking vulnerable amid turbulence around their head coach. They are yet to lose to Chelsea this season.

More than 33,000 Leeds supporters will be at Wembley and the club are in their first semi-final for 39 years. Leeds Live notes that while the FA Cup is the quickest route to Europe, simply reaching the final would not be enough.

Daniel Farke has previously joked that fans ask about Europe after a good result. He has also noted that late concessions this season might have cost them a tilt at European places.

Manchester City appear favourites to reach the showpiece, with Championship side Southampton their opponents. Southampton beat Leeds on their last Wembley visit in the 2024 play-off final.

City are title challengers and are destined to qualify for the Champions League via the league, so the FA Cup’s Europa League place would not go to the runners-up. Instead, it would pass to the next highest-placed Premier League team not already in Europe, meaning Leeds would have to win the cup to take the Europa League spot.

Source: Leeds Live