The Premier League table is currently a mess. Absolute carnage. Arsenal are sitting pretty at the top with 49 points, but Manchester City and a surprisingly persistent Aston Villa are breathing down their necks, both locked on 43. If you haven't been paying attention to the english premier league fixtures this weekend, you’re about to miss the moment the title race either cements itself or goes completely off the rails.
We’ve got the 198th Manchester Derby.
Old Trafford is going to be deafening on Saturday morning. It’s one of those games where the form guide usually gets chucked out the window, but honestly, both teams are coming off 1-1 and 2-2 draws. They're jittery. City is trying to close a six-point gap on Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, while United is desperately clinging to a European spot, currently sitting 7th but level on points with 6th-place Newcastle.
Why English Premier League Fixtures This Weekend Are a Nightmare for the Top Four
Look, everyone is talking about the Derby, but the real trap games are hidden in the 3:00 PM (GMT) window on Saturday. Liverpool are hosting Burnley at Anfield. On paper? Easy win. In reality? Burnley just held Manchester United to a draw last week. Liverpool are currently 4th with 35 points, but they've got Brentford and Newcastle sniffing around their heels.
One slip-up and the "Top Four" conversation changes entirely.
Then you’ve got the London derbies. They're everywhere. Tottenham vs. West Ham is arguably the most desperate fixture on the calendar right now. Spurs are 14th. Let that sink in. They just got knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa and have only won one of their last six. West Ham are even worse off in 18th, seven points from safety. It’s a "loser stays in the basement" kind of match.
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The Rosenior Era Begins at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge is going through another identity crisis, but this one feels different. Liam Rosenior is stepping into the dugout for his first league game as Chelsea head coach. He’s fresh off a 5-1 thrashing of Charlton in the FA Cup, but Brentford is a much nastier beast.
The Bees are 5th.
Think about that. Keith Andrews has Brentford playing some of the most disciplined football in the country. They’ve only lost one of their last eight meetings with Chelsea. If Rosenior can’t fix Chelsea’s discipline—they’ve racked up a league-high 62 cards this season—Brentford will pick them apart on the counter-attack.
The Full Saturday Slate: Times and Tension
If you’re planning your weekend around the english premier league fixtures this weekend, here is how the Saturday madness breaks down. No fluff, just the games:
The early kickoff (12:30 PM GMT / 7:30 AM ET) features the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford. City won the last one 3-0 back in September with two goals from Haaland, but United's home record in the derby is historically better than people remember (26 wins to City's 21 in the PL era).
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Then, the 3:00 PM (GMT) / 10:00 AM (ET) window explodes with five matches:
- Chelsea vs. Brentford: The West London derby and Rosenior’s big debut.
- Liverpool vs. Burnley: Can Burnley’s low block frustrate Anfield?
- Tottenham vs. West Ham: A North vs. East London scrap for survival.
- Leeds vs. Fulham: Elland Road will be rocking for this mid-table chess match.
- Sunderland vs. Crystal Palace: Two teams separated by just two points in the middle of the pack.
The Saturday finale is Nottingham Forest hosting the leaders, Arsenal (5:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM ET). Forest are 17th and fighting for their lives, while Arsenal are trying to maintain that six-point cushion at the summit.
Sunday and Monday: The European Push
Sunday isn't exactly a "rest day" this time around. Wolves are hosting Newcastle at 2:00 PM (GMT), which is basically a battle of the extremes. Wolves are dead last with only one win all season. Newcastle are 6th and looking to leapfrog Brentford into the top five.
Then comes the "Unai Emery Special." Aston Villa vs. Everton. Villa are the story of the season so far, tied for 2nd place. They are legitimately in a title race in 2026. Everton, meanwhile, are hovering in 12th, capable of beating anyone but equally capable of falling apart.
Finally, Brighton and Bournemouth wrap things up on Monday night. It's a South Coast clash that usually delivers goals, and with Brighton currently in 11th, they need the points to keep their European dreams alive for next season.
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Survival Stakes and Tactical Tweaks
What most people get wrong about these fixtures is assuming the "big" teams will just roll over the struggling ones. This is January. The transfer window is open. Panic buys are happening.
Take West Ham. They've been on a ten-game winless run in the league, but they just beat QPR in the cup. That tiny spark of confidence is dangerous for a Spurs side that looks like it's forgotten how to defend set-pieces. Chelsea is in a similar boat; they lead the league in goals scored from corners and free-kicks (12, tied with Arsenal), which might be Rosenior's only "safe" way to find the net while he implements his new system.
Actionable Insights for the Weekend
If you're watching the english premier league fixtures this weekend, keep your eyes on the disciplinary records. Chelsea and Spurs are the most "ill-behaved" teams in the league. In high-pressure derbies like the ones we're seeing this Saturday, a single red card (like Marc Cucurella’s against Fulham recently) changes everything.
Keep an eye on the Arsenal game late Saturday too. Nottingham Forest at the City Ground is a notoriously difficult place for leaders to travel. If Arsenal drop points there and City win the Derby, the gap shrinks to three points with a massive chunk of the season left to play.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check your local listings for the Manchester Derby; it’s an early start for US fans on USA Network.
- Watch the Chelsea team sheet closely to see how Rosenior integrates young talent like George or handles the return of Lavia.
- Monitor the live table during the 3:00 PM window, as the 12th through 15th spots could swap places multiple times within 90 minutes.