Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker looking in the direction of Leeds boss, Daniel Farke.
(Credit: Imago)
Jacob Raw
Mon 6 April 2026 10:40, UK
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker both agree that Leeds United‘s FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea is going to be hard to call.
The Whites managed to edge past West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday, and a trip to Wembley awaits after a dramatic penalty shootout win.
It wasn’t made easy for Daniel Farke‘s side, as goals from Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin had them two goals to the good before Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi levelled things up for the Hammers.
After a couple of nervy moments in extra time, the game was eventually forced to a penalty shootout, where Pascal Struijk netted the winner.
Leeds will now play Chelsea at Wembley, as both Lineker and Shearer have both looked ahead to the game.
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Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker weigh in on Leeds vs Chelsea
Farke will have been delighted with the character his players showed through adversity, as Leeds suffered multiple injuries against West Ham.
The Whites will anxiously await news on Noah Okafor, Joe Rodon, and Anton Stach, with the latter’s fitness really in doubt.
Player Minutes played FotMob rating
Noah Okafor 69′ 7.3
Joe Rodon 52′ 6.9
Anton Stach 38′ 6.4
Leeds injured trio vs West Ham
While speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer and Lineker both had their say on Leeds’ next FA Cup game.
Shearer said: “Leeds, Chelsea has got plenty of history over the years, so I guess it’s 50/50.”
Lineker replied: “Chelsea have not beaten Leeds this season, they lost once and drew once in the league, so I don’t know, it might be tight. Chelsea have to be favourites, obviously, but all to play for.”
Both the former England strikers agreed that it will be “tough” for either side to win the game, as if games this season are anything to go by, then it’s too hard to call.
The other semi-final consists of Manchester City and Southampton, with just four left with a chance of winning the whole competition.
The biggest dilemma Daniel Farke now has
Farke has plenty of food for thought heading into Leeds’ last seven Premier League games, which the German has already admitted his attention has turned to.
The Whites are just four points from West Ham, who currently occupy the final relegation spot, with other sides around them looking for a response when league action resumes.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke in the background with Premier League table from 15th to 20th after 31 matches in 2025-26 season
Credit: Imago
The big question Farke now faces is how he will respond to Stach’s injury, who has been so good for so much of Leeds’ season.
He has the likes of Tanaka, Sean Longstaff, Brenden Aaronson, and more that could replace the attacking midfielder, but none may be able to fill his boots.