Arsenal is currently sitting pretty at the top of the table with 49 points. It’s a familiar sight for Gunners fans, but there’s a massive shadow looming over them in the form of Manchester City and a surprisingly resilient Aston Villa, both breathing down their necks with 43 points. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Barclays Premier League next fixtures, you know we are hitting that specific part of the winter where the pretenders start to fall away and the real contenders find their second wind.
Honestly, the schedule for late January and throughout February 2026 is absolutely brutal. We’re not just talking about the standard "cold night in Stoke" cliché—mostly because Stoke isn't here—but rather a gauntlet of derbies and top-four scraps that will likely break someone's season.
The Manchester Derby and a January Jam
Everything basically kicks off with a bang on Saturday, January 17. The Manchester Derby at Old Trafford isn't just about local bragging rights this time; it’s about survival for Manchester United. Erik ten Hag’s men are sitting in 7th, tied with Newcastle at 32 points. They need a result to stay in the European conversation. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola knows he cannot afford to let Arsenal’s six-point lead stretch any further.
That same day, Liverpool hosts Burnley at Anfield. You’d expect an easy win for the Reds, but with AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) draining squads of key talent this month, depth is the only thing that matters. Liverpool is currently 4th with 35 points, and any slip-up here could see them swallowed by the chasing pack of Brentford and Chelsea.
Here’s a quick look at how that massive Saturday shapes up:
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- Manchester United v Manchester City (Early kick-off, 12:30 PM)
- Chelsea v Brentford (The West London battle at 3:00 PM)
- Liverpool v Burnley (3:00 PM)
- Tottenham v West Ham (A London derby that always gets heated, 3:00 PM)
- Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (The league leaders facing a tricky away trip at 5:30 PM)
Why the Barclays Premier League next fixtures matter so much right now
The table is weirdly compressed. Look at Sunderland—yes, they’re back and they’re actually 10th. They’ve managed 30 points from 21 games, which is staggering for a promoted side. On Sunday, January 25, we get a massive clash at the Emirates: Arsenal vs Manchester United. If Arsenal wins that, they might actually start believing the trophy is theirs to lose. But if United pulls off an upset, it opens the door for City or Unai Emery’s Villa to pounce.
Villa is the team nobody is talking about enough. They are tied for second place! Their match against Newcastle on January 25 at St. James' Park is going to be a tactical chess match. Newcastle has 32 points and is desperate to reclaim a Champions League spot.
The February Gauntlet
Once we roll into February, the schedule doesn't let up. Sunday, February 1, gives us the blockbuster: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City. Spurs have been inconsistent, sitting in 14th with only 27 points, but they always seem to find an extra gear when City comes to North London.
Then comes the big one. Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 8.
Liverpool vs Manchester City. Anfield. 4:30 PM.
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This is the kind of game that defines eras. By this point, AFCON stars should be returning, and both squads will be at near-full strength. If City wins at Anfield, the title race is blown wide open. If Liverpool takes it, they might just leapfrog Villa and City to become Arsenal's primary challenger.
The North London Derby
The month of February "ends" (well, the major fixture cycle anyway) with the North London Derby on Sunday, February 22. Tottenham vs Arsenal. There is no love lost here. For Arsenal, it’s a hurdle on the way to the title. For Spurs, it’s the chance to ruin their rival's century.
Relegation Scraps and Surprising Struggles
While everyone looks at the top, the bottom of the table is a disaster zone. Wolves are rooted to the bottom with only 7 points. They are effectively playing for pride at this stage. West Ham (18th) and Burnley (19th) are fighting for their lives, with just 14 and 13 points respectively.
The Barclays Premier League next fixtures for West Ham are particularly grim. They have to face Chelsea, Spurs, and Manchester United all in a short window. If they don't pick up points in their "Winter Weekender" period, they might be looking at the Championship.
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How to navigate the upcoming schedule
If you're a fan trying to keep track of all this, you've got to be smart about your viewing. The games are spread across Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and Amazon Prime in the UK, while USA Network and Peacock handle the heavy lifting in the States.
The midweek madness in February (Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th) is a trap for many teams.
- Chelsea plays Leeds.
- Spurs host Newcastle.
- West Ham faces Man United.
Rotation will be the keyword. Managers like Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola have the luxury of deep benches, but teams like Brentford (5th) or Fulham (9th) might struggle with the sheer volume of matches. Brentford has been the "giant killers" of 2026, but can they sustain a European push with a smaller squad? Only time—and the next four weeks—will tell.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Track AFCON Returns: Keep an eye on when players like Mohamed Salah or various stars from the Senegal and Nigeria squads return to their clubs. Their first games back are often "trap" games due to fatigue.
- Watch the Goal Difference: Arsenal (+26) and Man City (+26) are identical. In a race this tight, the next few fixtures against lower-half teams like Wolves or Burnley are about scoring as many as possible, not just winning.
- The Saturday 3 PM Blackout: Remember that in the UK, the 3 PM matches aren't televised. If your team is playing then, you’ll need to rely on radio or international feeds.
Check the official Premier League app regularly for late fixture changes. Television broadcasters often move games with only a few weeks' notice, especially if teams progress in the FA Cup or European competitions. Make sure your travel plans for away days are flexible. Keep an eye on the Friday night slots too, as Leeds and Nottingham Forest have been frequent features in those high-atmosphere evening games lately.