Leeds United have inadvertently done relegation rivals West Ham a big favour in the fight for survival after their FA Cup clash, according to Paul Merson.
And it is not as simplistic as West Ham only having the Premier League to focus on while Leeds are potentially distracted by the prospect of being one game away from the final.
With seven games remaining, West Ham are locked in a battle with Leeds United, Spurs and Nottingham Forest to secure safety.
If the Hammers beat Wolves on Friday night, they will climb out of the relegation zone and to within one point of Leeds – who are away at Man United three days later.
Merson thinks Leeds’ semi-final timing hands West Ham a key survival advantage
West Ham and Leeds played out a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final at the London Stadium with the Elland Road outfit sealing a trip to Wembley on penalties.
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There are fears in east London that Leeds ending the cup dream may take the wind out of West Ham’s sails for the relegation run-in – which culminates with a re-run of Sunday’s match on the final day of the season.
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But Paul Merson actually thinks Leeds have handed West Ham a key survival advantage.
Anton Stach is challenged by Max Kilman of West Ham United during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between West Ham and Leeds
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Speaking before the FA Cup meeting of the two sides, the pundit did say he felt whoever won may then get the necessary momentum to go on and secure survival.
However, Merson believes playing the FA Cup semi-final while relegation rivals are playing their Premier League games that weekend could be a major hindrance to Leeds and big factor helping West Ham.
“If someone told these two teams they had to choose between getting into the semi-finals of the FA Cup or staying up in the Premier League, they would choose the latter all day long!” Merson told Sportskeeda.
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West Ham United's Pablo after missing the crucial penalty during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between West Ham United and Leeds United on April 5, 2026 in London, England.
“West Ham have a huge cup final coming up against Wolves next Friday.
“They need to win that game to give them the best chance of staying up. Leeds, who have a four-point lead over West Ham in the table, host Manchester United in the next gameweek…
Pundit Paul Merson
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
“It will be big for the fans (going to Wembley). But they (Leeds) will be playing the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on a weekend when their relegation rivals will be in action a league game. So I’m not sure if having an extra game helps in this context because the pressure will be on.”
Merson makes a great point here, because that semi-final weekend could be huge in swinging the relegation battle.
Leeds will play Chelsea on April 25th at Wembley while West Ham take on Everton at home.
Leeds’ game against Bournemouth was moved meaning they have three games in seven days.
If the Hammers pick up a win against Wolves and a positive result at Palace, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could feasibly go clear of Leeds with a win over the Toffees while they are preoccupied with the FA Cup.
That would then pile pressure on Daniel Farke’s side when they make up their game in hand and it could all work in West Ham’s favour at a crucial time.
Relegation run-in remaining fixtures:
Team Remaining fixtures (Opponent + H/A)
West Ham United Wolves (H), Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H), Brentford (A), Arsenal (H), Newcastle United (A) and Leeds United (H)
Nottingham Forest Aston Villa (H), Burnley (H), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (A), Newcastle United (H), Man United (A) and Bournemouth (H)
Tottenham Hotspur Sunderland (A), Brighton (H), Wolves (A), Aston Villa (A), Leeds United (H), Chelsea (A) and Everton (H)
Leeds United Man United (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Burnley (H), Spurs (A), Brighton (H) and West Ham (A)
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