It is one of those Saturdays. You know the kind—where the coffee needs to be strong because the schedule is absolutely relentless. If you've been looking for football games live today, you've probably realized that January 17, 2026, is basically a buffet for sports fans. We aren't just talking about mid-season filler matches either. We are looking at a Manchester Derby that could redefine the Premier League title race and a massive Bundesliga clash that feels like a final.
Honestly, it's a lot to keep track of.
Between the NFL Divisional Playoffs kicking off in the States and the European leagues hitting their stride after the winter break, your remote is going to get a workout. Let’s break down exactly what is happening on the pitch today, from the tactical chess matches in England to the high-stakes drama in Germany and Italy.
The Manchester Derby and Premier League Madness
Everything stops when Manchester United and Manchester City meet at Old Trafford. It’s scheduled for an early kickoff (06:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM GMT), and the atmosphere is already tense. City is chasing another title, but United under their current setup has been frustratingly good at home. This isn't just about three points; it's about the city's hierarchy.
If you aren't an early riser, don't sweat it. The 3:00 PM (GMT) window is packed.
- Liverpool vs. Burnley: Anfield is going to be rocking. Liverpool needs to keep the pressure on the top two, and Burnley is always a physical test that nobody really enjoys.
- Chelsea vs. Brentford: A West London derby of sorts. Chelsea has been inconsistent, and Brentford loves nothing more than ruining a "Big Six" afternoon.
- Tottenham vs. West Ham: Another London rivalry. These games are usually high-scoring and slightly chaotic.
- Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal: A tricky away trip for the Gunners. Forest at the City Ground is a different beast entirely.
It's a massive day for the English top flight. You’ve also got Leeds taking on Fulham and Sunderland hosting Crystal Palace. There’s basically no breathing room in the schedule.
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Bundesliga’s Heavyweight Fight: Leipzig vs. Bayern
While England is busy with derbies, Germany is hosting the match of the weekend. RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich. This kicks off at 5:30 PM local time (18:30 CET).
Bayern currently sits comfortably at the top of the table—they’ve got an 11-point lead over Borussia Dortmund. But Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena is a genuine hurdle. Vincent Kompany’s Bayern side has been a juggernaut lately, coming off a massive 8-1 win against Wolfsburg and a 3-1 victory over Köln. Jonathan Tah has been a rock at the back, and the team seems to have found a rhythm that’s hard to break.
Leipzig, however, won't be scared. They remember the 6-0 thrashing from the reverse fixture and will be out for blood. If you're looking for the most tactical football games live today, this is the one to watch.
Elsewhere in Germany, Dortmund is facing St. Pauli, and Bayer Leverkusen is traveling to Hoffenheim. Leverkusen has been a bit of a wildcard this season, so that one could go either way.
La Liga and the Return to the Bernabéu
In Spain, Real Madrid is back at the Santiago Bernabéu to face Levante. It’s a bit of a weird one for Los Blancos. They are heavy favorites, but they are currently missing seven key players. We're talking about a defensive crisis—Militão, Rüdiger, and even Trent Alexander-Arnold are out.
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But they still have Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé is currently the league’s top scorer with 18 goals. Even with a depleted defense, Madrid expects to win this. The match starts at 2:00 PM CET. If Levante can exploit that makeshift backline, we might see a massive upset.
The rest of the La Liga slate includes:
- Mallorca vs. Athletic Club: A battle for European spots.
- Osasuna vs. Real Oviedo: A gritty mid-table clash.
- Real Betis vs. Villarreal: This is usually the "game of the neutrals" because both teams love to attack.
Italy and France: Giants on the Road
Serie A has three big ones today. Inter Milan is traveling to Udinese, which is never an easy place to go. Later on, Napoli hosts Sassuolo at the Stadio Maradona. Antonio Conte is serving a touchline ban, which always adds a layer of drama to Napoli’s performance. Keep an eye on Antonio Vergara; the young midfielder is expected to make his first Serie A start.
The day in Italy wraps up with Juventus heading to Sardinia to face Cagliari. Juve has been "efficient" lately—which is a nice way of saying they win 1-0 a lot—but Cagliari away is a potential banana skin.
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Over in France, the Ligue 1 action is headlined by Marseille’s trip to Angers. PSG already did their job on Friday night with a 3-0 win over Lille (Luis Enrique’s 100th win, by the way), so the pressure is on the chasing pack to keep up. Monaco, unfortunately, stumbled again, losing 1-3 to Lorient, so they’ll be watching today’s results with a bit of anxiety.
Don't Forget the "Other" Football
If you are in the US, "football" means something else today. We have the NFL Divisional Playoffs.
- Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills: 4:30 PM ET. Josh Allen in January is always a spectacle.
- Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers: 8:00 PM ET. A classic NFC West rivalry with a trip to the Conference Championship on the line.
Even the MLS is technically "active," though it's preseason. The Philadelphia Union is heading to Spain today to start their Marbella camp. It's not a live match you can watch for points, but it's the start of the 2026 journey for them.
Actionable Tips for Following the Games
With so much happening, you need a plan. Don't try to watch everything; you'll just end up with a headache.
- Prioritize the Big Three: If you only have a few hours, stick to the Manchester Derby, Leipzig vs. Bayern, and Real Madrid vs. Levante. Those have the biggest title implications.
- Use Live Updates: If you're out and about, apps like OneFootball or Forza are better than refreshing Twitter (X). The data feeds are faster.
- Check the Lineups: In Serie A and La Liga particularly, injuries are playing a massive role today. Check the "Probable XI" before you place any bets or set your fantasy lineup. Real Madrid’s defense is particularly vulnerable right now.
- Look for AFCON Overlap: Keep an eye on international scores too. Egypt vs. Nigeria is a massive fixture today that will feature plenty of Premier League and Serie A stars.
The beauty of a Saturday like this is that the story changes every 90 minutes. By the time the sun sets in California, we'll know if the Premier League title race has been blown wide open or if Bayern Munich has effectively ended the Bundesliga race in January. Grab your jersey, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
Next Steps for Your Saturday Viewing:
Check your local listings for the Manchester United vs. Manchester City kickoff time in your specific zone. If you’re in the UK, it’s on TNT Sports; in the US, check USA Network or Peacock. For the late-night Bundesliga clash, make sure your ESPN+ or Sky Sports subscription is active, as Leipzig vs. Bayern is expected to break viewership records for the season.