The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 10th March) Leeds face West Ham in last 8 of FA Cup
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 10th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds face West Ham in last 8 of FA Cup
Leeds will face West Ham Utd in the last eight of the FA Cup after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out against Brentford last night! It's effectively a dress rehearsal for the season finale at the London Stadium, a match that’s already being billed as one of the biggest in both clubs' recent history as there's a good chance that whoever loses, will be playing Championship football next season.
A lot has changed since these two last met in October 2025; back then, Leeds managed a comfortable 2–1 win against a Hammers side rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. Fast forward to today, and West Ham have been revitalised under the leadership of Nuno Espírito Santo, climbing within just a point of safety, and three points behind Leeds.
Season finale tactical draw could be an option
With the business end of the season fast approaching, West Ham and Leeds find themselves in very different headspaces. After spending close to £50m in January and sharpening up their loan options, the Hammers’ overall quality and form could be enough to keep them clear of the drop. On the flip side, Leeds are looking a bit shaky; they’ve only managed two wins in their last ten matches, leaving them languishing at 17th in the form guide, but still ahead of the likes of Wolves, Burnley, and Spurs.
As we look toward the final day of the season, there’s a real chance that a tactical draw could be exactly what the doctor ordered to keep both teams in the top flight! While it might sound like a bit of a conspiracy, football has a history of "gentlemen’s agreements" where both sides play for a mutually beneficial result. The most notorious example is the "Disgrace of Gijón" from the 1982 World Cup.
Knowing that a 1-0 or 2-0 West German win would see both West Germany and Austria advance at the expense of Algeria, the Germans scored in the 10th minute and then... both teams just stopped. For the remaining 80 minutes, they casually knocked the ball around their own halves with zero intent to score. How would you feel if this were to happen? More to the point, how would the FA and the Premier League feel, and would there be any ramifications?
Fitness Fears at Thorp Arch: Rodon and DCL Doubts for Palace Trip
There’s a few injuries around the Thorp Arch medical room as Leeds prepare for their trip to Selhurst Park. The main concern centre's on Joe Rodon and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, both of whom are facing a race against time to be fit. Rodon sat out the Norwich match as a precaution; although he powered through the full 90 against Sunderland, a tight hamstring meant Daniel Farke wasn’t prepared to take any unnecessary risks with his star defender.
The situation with Calvert-Lewin came as a bit more of a shock to the Elland Road faithful. While many assumed his recent absence was just standard squad rotation, Farke clarified the situation to BBC Radio Leeds, revealing the striker is actually nursing a knee issue that left him unable to compete. It’s a frustrating blow for a player who has been remarkably durable since joining the club, and this fresh setback puts his impressive streak of appearances in serious jeopardy.
Leeds will need as much strength as they can muster, as the Eagles are currently flying high. Palace has managed three wins from their last five outings, sparked largely by the immediate impact of £45m signing Jorgen Strand Larsen. With three goals and a standout 7.00 'WhoScored' rating, Larsen has quickly become the second-highest-rated player on their roster. If Leeds wants to keep their momentum going, they’ll need to be locked in defensively to keep him quiet, whether Rodon is back in the line-up or not.