Whites legend Eddie Gray talks to the YEP about Leeds United’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

Few if any are better placed to talk about past battles between Leeds United and Chelsea than Eddie Gray.

The Whites legend knows the 1970 FA Cup final and brutal replay against the Blues will get plenty of attention ahead of the 2026 semi-final between the two clubs 56 years on.

Not that the 1970s epic is a game Gray wants to dwell on too much given the way it ended.

In any case, Gray feels the rivalry between the two clubs is different these days.

He does, though, feel that over a half a century on, his former club might exact a slice of revenge on Sunday afternoon.

“It's a big game this weekend.

“I think everybody will be looking forward to it, I know I am looking forward to it and I'm sure the players are.

“Leeds against Chelsea and the FA Cup brings back good and bad memories for me.

“We had tough games against Chelsea many years ago, they were always highly competitive, enjoyable games to play in.

“But sometimes the results didn't go our way.

“They were terrific occasions for football in general, it's just that we came out on the wrong side of it so that was a disappointing thing.

“I don't think the rivalry between the two clubs is like it was years ago because it was quite a big occasion when we played Chelsea, especially when we went down to London to play.

“I don't think it's got that intensity to it any more but it's still a big game, it's a huge game for the players, a huge game for the club and it's a big prize at the end of it if you win.

“I would think whichever team was playing at home out of the two would be favourites.

“If we were playing them at Elland Road, I think we'd be favourites so I think it will be a tough game.

“When you go to London, most of the games you play in London are tough games but I think our team and the players are more than capable of giving a good account of themselves.

“You only need a look at Old Trafford the other night.

“Our players can compete with any side I think and I think they've got that confidence just now, I think they know they can compete with most sides in the league so I think they'll be looking forward to it.

“In terms of our fans I think it just turns it a little bit on our favour playing at Wembley.

“If you were going to play at their place it's a little bit different.

“There will be as many Leeds United fans there as there will be Chelsea fans and I think they will treat it as a big occasion.

“You know that the Leeds supporters will never stop getting behind the side, look at Old Trafford the other night, and I think the players will be in a good frame of mind.

“It's a tough, tough game and you'd rather be playing them up here.

“But at a neutral stadium anything can happen and I would think our players would be confident in getting a result.

“I wouldn't want to predict a score but I would say that we have a fair chance of winning the game. I think we've a good chance.

“I think it will be quite tight but you can never tell in football.

“It all depends on how the game starts. It would be good if we started the game well and get a bit of confidence.

“But I'm going to the game pretty hopeful we will get a result.

“For me personally, I'll just be going to the game like any other Leeds United supporter looking forward to the game, hoping we get a victory and move on.

“It's a great occasion for the players, a great occasion for the supporters and the football club in general and I'm sure they'll all be looking forward to it.

“I certainly am and I'll certainly be enjoying it if we win!”