FA Cup Semis: Man City and Chelsea Favorites, Southampton Could Surprise

Friday, 24 April 2026 | 13:07

Author: Arif S

Archive - FA Cup Trophy at Wembley Stadium.
Source: Antara/TheFA.com/am.

Summary

1. FA Cup semifinals feature four teams competing for a spot in the Wembley final.

2. Manchester City faces Southampton on April 25, while Chelsea plays Leeds United on April 26, 2026.

3. Manchester City and Chelsea enter as favorites due to strong form, but Leeds and Southampton pose upset potential.

The FA Cup 2025/26 enters its crucial phase before the final showdown. Four remaining teams will battle at Wembley Stadium for two tickets to the final.

Three Premier League clubs—Chelsea, Leeds United, and Manchester City—maintain top-tier dominance by reaching the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Southampton stands as the sole Championship representative in the semifinals, bringing underdog spirit against elite opponents.

FA Cup Semi-Final Draw Result: Chelsea vs Leeds, Man City to face Southampton.

FA Cup Results: Chelsea Win Through Extra Time, City Eliminate Newcastle

FA Cup Results: Aston Villa Beat Spurs, Man City Goal Fest in FA Cup

The semifinal draw pits Chelsea against Leeds United. In the other semifinal, Manchester City faces Southampton in a clash between title favorites and surprise contenders.

All semifinal matches will be held at Wembley on April 25-26, 2026 in a single-leg format.

This leaves no margin for error, as each team has only one chance to secure a final spot.

Manchester City arrives with peak momentum. Pep Guardiola's squad recently demonstrated superiority through a convincing 4-0 Quarter Final victory over Liverpool.

Their sharpness intensified after City seized the Premier League top spot from Arsenal.

Despite crushing Port Vale 7-0 in the Quarter Finals, Chelsea arrives at Wembley in uncertain circumstances.

The Blues recently sacked manager Liam Rosenior after just three-and-a-half months in charge.

Amid focus on the giants, Leeds United could disrupt the power balance.

The Yorkshire club advanced after holding West Ham to a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes before winning 4-2 on penalties.

This marks Leeds' first FA Cup Semifinal since 1987, adding historic significance to their season.

Southampton shouldn't be underestimated. The Championship club proved its quality by eliminating Arsenal 2-1 in the quarterfinals, showing divisional status guarantees nothing in knockout competition.

With Wembley's neutral stage and single-match format, upsets remain possible. Yet based on current form, City and Chelsea remain favorites to reach the final.

2025/26 FA Cup Semifinal Schedule

Saturday, 25 April 2026

Manchester City vs Southampton (23.15 WIB)

Sunday, 26 April 2026

Chelsea vs Leeds United

Quick Answer

FA Cup 2026 Semifinals: Manchester City vs Southampton, Chelsea vs Leeds United

The FA Cup 2025/26 semifinals feature Manchester City vs Southampton on April 25 and Chelsea vs Leeds United on April 26 at Wembley Stadium. Manchester City and Chelsea enter as favorites, but Southampton and Leeds United have demonstrated strong upset potential in their quarterfinal victories.

Manchester City faces Southampton on April 25 while Chelsea meets Leeds United on April 26 at Wembley
Three Premier League clubs (Man City, Chelsea, Leeds) and Championship side Southampton compete
Single-leg format leaves no margin for error in these decisive matches
Southampton eliminated Arsenal in quarterfinals; Leeds reached first semifinal since 1987

The FA Cup 2025/26 semifinals at Wembley Stadium feature Manchester City versus Southampton on April 25 and Chelsea against Leeds United on April 26, with all four teams competing for spots in the prestigious final. Manchester City and Chelsea enter as favorites, though Southampton and Leeds United have demonstrated significant upset potential throughout the tournament.

Three Premier League clubs—Manchester City, Chelsea, and Leeds United—join Championship side Southampton in this decisive phase. The single-leg format at Wembley leaves absolutely no margin for error, with each team having just one opportunity to secure their final berth.

Manchester City's Momentum

Manchester City arrives with formidable momentum after a dominant 4-0 quarterfinal victory over Liverpool. Pep Guardiola's squad further solidified their status by recently claiming the Premier League top position from Arsenal, showcasing the sharpness that makes them tournament favorites.

Southampton's Underdog Challenge

As the sole Championship representative, Southampton proved their capability by eliminating Premier League giants Arsenal 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Their performance demonstrates that divisional status guarantees nothing in knockout competition.

Chelsea's Uncertain Circumstances

Chelsea enters following an impressive 7-0 quarterfinal win against Port Vale, but managerial instability clouds their campaign after recently dismissing manager Liam Rosenior after just three-and-a-half months in charge.

Leeds United's Historic Opportunity

Leeds United advances to their first FA Cup semifinal since 1987 after defeating West Ham 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw through extra time. This ends a 39-year absence from this stage, adding significant historic weight to their campaign.

The semifinal schedule sees Manchester City face Southampton on Saturday, April 25 at 23:15 WIB, followed by Chelsea versus Leeds United on Sunday, April 26. While Manchester City and Chelsea remain favorites based on current form, Southampton and Leeds United have repeatedly shown their capacity to challenge elite opponents in this competition.