FA Cup Semifinals: Can Struggling Chelsea and Man City Survive or Will Underdogs Steal the Show?

It's that familiar time of year when Wembley Stadium becomes our closest companion, as the 2025–26 FA Cup semifinals unfold beneath its legendary arch.

And there's no shortage of intrigue surrounding the four remaining sides.

Naturally, the Premier League's 'Big Six' are represented, but backing Chelsea in their mouth-watering clash with a determined Leeds United on Sunday would take some nerve. Meanwhile, the red-hot Southampton are looking to knock off the top flight's leading pair in back-to-back rounds.

They've been a credit to the English Football League (EFL) throughout this run, and their form heading into the business end of the season suggests a swift return to the top flight is well within reach.

Here's how Sports Illustrated predicts the two FA Cup semifinals will unfold this weekend.

Manchester City vs. Southampton

It may have only been the struggling Burnley, but Pep Guardiola would have been perfectly satisfied leaving Turf Moor with a narrow 1–0 Premier League win on Wednesday evening.

Manchester City's midweek result followed their crucial victory over Arsenal on Sunday, lifting them to the summit of the table for the first time since August.

Remarkably, a second domestic treble under Guardiola is now within sight for the Citizens, having already secured the Carabao Cup back in March.

To book a place in consecutive FA Cup finals, they simply need to get past second-tier opposition. That said, Southampton are in superb form under Tonda Eckert, even if their recent momentum took a slight hit against Bristol City during the week. They've gone unbeaten across all competitions since January 17, having eliminated Fulham and Arsenal to reach this stage.

The Saints are now three-time FA Cup semifinalists since 2018, yet they haven't appeared in the final itself since lifting the trophy back in 1976—a full fifty years ago.

Prediction: Man City 3–1 Southampton

Chelsea vs. Leeds United

Saturday's contest looks set to serve as a warm-up act for what promises to follow the next afternoon.

Chelsea vs. Leeds United is a fixture steeped in history and rich in storylines. You might not be aware, but these two clubs share a deep-seated mutual dislike. Their rivalry traces its roots back to the 1960s, when Don Revie's Leeds were the undisputed powerhouse of English football.

The rivalry reached its peak in the legendary and controversial 1970 FA Cup final, widely regarded as one of the most brutal matches ever played. Chelsea came out on top in extra time, and the Blues have largely held the upper hand in more recent encounters against their historic foes.

However, Chelsea head into Sunday's semifinal in a deeply troubled state. They hit a historic low on Tuesday night, going five consecutive league games without a goal for the first time since 1912—the year the Titanic sank. Brighton & Hove Albion's emphatic 3–0 win cost Liam Rosenior his managerial position, with Calum McFarlane stepping back in as interim boss.

Daniel Farke's Leeds, on the other hand, have been buoyed by a strong recent run that has comfortably distanced them from the Premier League's relegation places. Having knocked out West Ham United on penalties in the quarterfinals, they'll be eager to add to Chelsea's growing misery.

Leeds haven't featured in an FA Cup final since 1973—even further back than Southampton—making this a truly extraordinary and rare opportunity for the club.

Prediction: Chelsea 1–1 Leeds (Leeds win on penalties)

FA Cup Semifinal Predictions