On paper, there might not be much to separate Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham United and Daniel Farke’s Leeds in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
But where it really matters, on the London Stadium turf, home advantage could count for double against a side with one of the poorest away records in the country.
Leeds travel to West Ham United having won only one of their top-flight 15 matches away from Elland Road in 2025/26. In fact, if you were to tally up the worst travellers in the whole of the Premier League and the Football League, Leeds come in at tenth in an overall list of 92 clubs.
Wembley awaits the winner!
What is your favourite FA Cup moment of 2026 so far? 🏆
Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the match during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between West Ham United and Brentford on March 9, 2026 in London, England.
The Yorkshiremen have accumulated only ten from a 45 possible points outside of the LS postcode.
So, as Jarrod Bowen and co look to become the first to reach an FA Cup semi-final since Marlon Harewood and Dean Ashton fired the Hammers to a Cardiff final in 2006, the London Stadium crowd really could be the decisive 12th man on Sunday afternoon.
Nuno has improved West Ham United’s home record ahead of Leeds visit
Graham Potter famously had a dismal London Stadium record as West Ham boss, failing to win any of his first ten matches on home soil. Worse even than Avram Grant, the last manager to take the East Londoners down to the Championship.
Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of West Ham United, leaves the field at half time during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Things have picked up under Nuno Espirito Santo, though. Since the 2-1 home defeat by Nottingham Forest on January 6th – a result some feared had made relegation an inevitability – the Hammers are unbeaten in six successive London Stadium matches.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
This includes a pair of FA Cup victories over Queens Park Rangers and Brentford.
Nuno has spoken on numerous occasions about the importance of getting the fans and the players pulling in the same direction, repairing a relationship left in tatters at the end of the Potter regime. Slowly but surely, he is achieving his ambition.
Summerville touch-and-go for the FA Cup quarter-final! 🏆
Who would you pick to START vs Leeds?
Select your favourite for each position and we will collate an XI based on your overall votes!
FA Cup quarter-final a prequel to the final day decider
OK, it should be said Leeds are unbeaten in their last six away games; a flurry of draws sandwiching a penalty shoot-out triumph at St Andrews.
But familiarity should breed comfort for a Hammers side with two colossal home meetings with their relegation rivals to come before the summer. Even if Leeds hold their hosts to a draw, West Ham’s recent record in penalty shoot outs bodes well.
They beat Brentford in round five with some of the finest spot-kicks you will ever see. That was their first penalty shoot-out since knocking Manchester City out of the Carabao Cup in 2021.
Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final is a prequel to May’s final day, potential relegation decider at the London Stadium. Who knows what kind of a psychological advantage West Ham could secure if they secure a Wembley berth at Leeds’ expense.
Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen and Manuel Lanzini were on target the last time Leeds travelled to East London; a 3-1 Premier League victory in May 2023.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox