January football in England is usually a slog. It’s cold, the pitches are heavy, and everyone is still recovering from that chaotic festive period. But this weekend? This weekend is different. If you haven't looked at the epl fixtures for this weekend yet, you’re missing the biggest shift in the 2025-26 season so far.
We’re at Matchweek 22. Arsenal is currently sitting pretty at the top with 49 points, but the chasing pack is breathing down their necks. Manchester City and Aston Villa are both tied at 43 points, just waiting for the Gunners to slip up. And guess what? Arsenal has to travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. That's a trap game if I've ever seen one.
The Big One: Manchester United vs Manchester City
Honestly, the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford is all anyone is talking about. It’s the early kickoff on Saturday (12:30 GMT), and the vibes around both clubs couldn't be more different.
Manchester United is in a bit of a weird spot. They just parted ways with Ruben Amorim—who many thought was the long-term answer—and Michael Carrick has stepped in as interim boss. They're sitting in 7th place with 32 points. It’s not great. But a derby at home? That changes things. Carrick knows this club inside out. He’ll likely set them up to be compact and try to hit Pep Guardiola's side on the break.
City, on the other hand, looks like a machine again. They’re 2nd in the table. After a "down" year last season (by their ridiculous standards), they’ve found their groove. Haaland is... well, Haaland. If City wins this, they put massive pressure on Arsenal before the Gunners even kick a ball later that night.
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Saturday's 3 PM Chaos
The traditional 3:00 PM (15:00 GMT) window is packed. You've got five games happening simultaneously. It’s a nightmare for fantasy football managers but great for the rest of us.
- Chelsea vs Brentford: This is a sneaky-good game. Chelsea has a new head coach, Liam Rosenior. This is his first Premier League match in charge of the Blues. Brentford is actually ahead of them in the table right now (5th vs 8th). Think about that for a second. The "Bees" are flying, and Chelsea is still trying to find an identity.
- Liverpool vs Burnley: Anfield will be rocking. Liverpool is 4th and needs to keep pace. Burnley is struggling down in 19th, but they’ve been known to frustrate the big boys by parking a massive bus.
- Tottenham vs West Ham: A London derby. Spurs are currently 14th, which is honestly shocking given their squad. West Ham is 18th. This is a battle of two teams who are underperforming massively. It might not be "pretty" football, but it'll be intense.
- Leeds United vs Fulham: Elland Road is never quiet. Leeds is fighting to stay away from the relegation zone (16th), while Fulham is comfortably mid-table in 9th.
- Sunderland vs Crystal Palace: Sunderland has been the surprise of the season for many. They’re 10th! Hosting Palace (13th) is a huge chance for them to prove they belong in the top half.
The Arsenal Test at Nottingham Forest
Saturday ends at the City Ground. Arsenal (1st) vs Nottingham Forest (17th). On paper, it looks like an easy away win. But Forest is fighting for their lives. The atmosphere in Nottingham at night is hostile, and Mikel Arteta knows his team can't afford a single mistake. Arsenal’s defense has been the best in the league, conceding only 14 goals in 21 games. They’ll need that solidity here.
Sunday and Monday: The Long Tail
The action doesn't stop on Saturday. Sunday gives us two very intriguing matchups.
First, Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Newcastle United at 2:00 PM. Wolves are rock bottom of the league right now. One win all season. One. They are desperate. Newcastle is 6th and looking for a Champions League spot. It’s a total mismatch on paper, but Molineux can be a graveyard for title-contenders and top-four hopefuls alike.
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Then, at 4:30 PM, Aston Villa host Everton. Unai Emery has done a miraculous job at Villa Park. They are level with Man City on points! Everton is 12th, showing some grit, but Villa at home is a different beast entirely.
Finally, the weekend wraps up on Monday night with Brighton vs Bournemouth. Two teams that love to play expansive, attacking football. It’s the perfect way to end the matchweek if you’re a neutral.
Why These EPL Fixtures Matter Right Now
The table is incredibly tight. Look at the gap between 4th and 15th—it’s only 9 points. One good weekend can catapult a team like Bournemouth or Brighton into the European conversation. One bad weekend for Liverpool or Brentford, and they’re suddenly looking over their shoulders.
What people get wrong about this stage of the season is thinking the "big six" will just coast. They won't. The promoted teams—Sunderland, Burnley, and Leeds—have brought a lot of energy back to the top flight. Sunderland specifically has shown that a well-organized promoted side can cause real problems.
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What to Watch For (Actionable Advice)
If you're planning your viewing schedule or looking at your FPL team, here’s how to handle the epl fixtures for this weekend:
- Watch the Manchester Derby for the tactical shift. See if Carrick changes United’s defensive line. If they sit too deep, City will pick them apart. If they press, it could be a high-scoring game.
- Monitor the "New Manager Bounce" at Chelsea. Liam Rosenior likes a specific style of play. Watch the first 20 minutes against Brentford to see if the Chelsea players have bought into it yet.
- Keep an eye on the Arsenal game late Saturday. If Man City wins the derby earlier in the day, the psychological pressure on Arsenal will be immense.
- Don't ignore the bottom of the table. The Wolves vs Newcastle game on Sunday is a "must-win" for Wolves if they have any hope of staying up. Their desperation will make for a frantic, high-energy match.
The Premier League is in its most volatile phase. The transfer window is open, rumors are flying, and every point feels like it's worth double. Make sure you're tuned in starting Saturday morning. It's going to be a wild ride.
Check the local TV listings for your region—most of these are on USA Network, NBC, or Peacock in the States, and Sky Sports or TNT Sports in the UK. Enjoy the games.
Next Steps for Matchday 22:
- Verify your FPL lineup before the Friday night/Saturday morning deadline.
- Track the live scores on the official Premier League app to see how the table shifts in real-time.
- Watch the post-match interviews for Chelsea and Manchester United specifically to gauge the locker room atmosphere under new leadership.