---
title: "Pablo and Kante start; Castellanos dropped – West Ham vs Leeds United predicted XI"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/04/04/west-ham-vs-leeds-united-predicted-xi/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Matt Bottomley"
section: "Match Previews"
published: "2026-04-04T16:55:49Z"
modified: "2026-04-04T16:55:56Z"
---

# Pablo and Kante start; Castellanos dropped – West Ham vs Leeds United predicted XI

- **West Ham play Leeds United tomorrow at 4:30PM BST**
- **The winner will head to Wembley in the FA Cup semi finals**
- **The Hammers beat Brentford on penalties to get to this round of the competition**

West Ham United return to action tomorrow, as they host Leeds United in the FA Cup quarter finals. [Nuno Espirito Santo](https://readwestham.com/2026/04/03/west-ham-vs-leeds-united-nuno-pre-match/) is hoping his team can progress to Wembley and get back to winning ways, after [losing 2-0 to Aston Villa](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/22/aston-villa-2-0-west-ham-premier-league/) before the international break.

Leeds United are almost in the same boat as [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/), with their main focus being on staying in the Premier League. Daniel Farke’s team [have drawn their last two matches 0-0](https://readwestham.com/2026/04/03/west-ham-vs-leeds-united-preview-prediction-fa-cup/) in games they will feel they dropped two points in.

Here’s who we think will start the game tomorrow afternoon.

## Alphonse Areola (GK)

Now behind [Mads Hermansen](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/30/west-ham-mads-hermansen-on-denmark-debut/) in the pecking order, [Alphonse Areola](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/10/alphonse-areola-west-ham-return/) started the Hammers win over Brentford in the last round and is expected to keep his place on Sunday.

## Ollie Scarles (LB)

Another to start the last cup tie that remains in place is Ollie Scarles. [El Hadji Malick Diouf](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/16/el-hadji-malick-diouf-west-ham-uniteds-togetherness/) returned late from his stint with Sengal and Nuno would be wise to not risk him is not needed.

## Axel Disasi (CB)

The big success story of January keeps his place. [Axel Disasi](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/22/axel-disasi-on-west-ham-appreciation/) continues to play every game for [West Ham](https://whufc.com/en).

## Konstantinos Mavropanos (CB)

[Konstantinos Mavropanos](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/30/west-ham-konstantinos-mavropanos-greece-injury/) picked up a knock with Greece but is said to be in a better state than [Jean-Clair Todibo](https://readwestham.com/news/), so he starts this game.

## Kyle Walker-Peters (RB)

Like Diouf, Aaron Wan-Bissaka returned late from Africa, paving the way for Kyle Walker-Peters to get another FA Cup start.

## Mateus Fernandes (CM)

The lynchpin to most West Ham moves, [Mateus Fernandes](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/31/west-ham-nuno-espirito-santo-praise-mateus-fernandes/) starts on the back of his first Portugal cap.

## Tomas Soucek (CM)

Another player with a successful international break, [Tomas Soucek](https://readwestham.com/2026/04/03/west-ham-tomas-soucek-czechia-world-cup-qualifaction/) stays in looking to bring some success to the Hammers pitch this time.

## Mohamadou Kante (CM)

The young Frenchman has impressed in cameos throughout this half of the season. [Mohamadou Kante](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/18/west-ham-opinion-mohamadou-kante-tomas-soucek-replacement/) starts this game just as he started the in the last round.

## Adama Traore (LW)

[Adama Traore](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/27/adama-traore-may-leave-west-ham-this-summer/) hasn’t found the form he would have liked at the club but remains a solid option on that side. With the status of [Crysencio Summerville](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/31/west-ham-crysencio-summerville-should-not-play-agaisnt-leeds-united/) still unknown, Traore starts again.

## Pablo Felipe (ST)

Pablo Felipe struggled against [Aston Villa](https://readastonvilla.com/) but looked good when he started the game against [Brentford](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/09/west-ham-2-2-brentford-fa-cup/). Nuno will hope he can recreate that game as he is given another chance to be the lone forward.

## Jarrod Bowen (RW)

[The England international](https://readwestham.com/2026/04/02/west-ham-jarrod-bowen-england-camp/) and West Ham captain, [Jarrod Bowen](https://readwestham.com/2026/04/04/west-ham-jarrod-bowen-fa-cup-tie-leeds-united/) starts as always looking to add to his tally for the season and guide his team to Wembley.

**Areola (GK); Scarles; Disasi; Mavropanos; Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Soucek; Kante; Traore; Pablo; Bowen**