Everything feels a bit upside down in the Premier League right now. Yesterday, we watched Michael Carrick—yes, that Michael Carrick—walk back into Old Trafford and basically dismantle Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City 2-0. It was his first game in charge since Ruben Amorim was sacked earlier this month, and honestly, nobody saw that level of dominance coming. Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scored, City looked shell-shocked, and the title race just got a massive jolt of electricity.
But the weekend isn't over. Not even close.
If you’re looking at the matches today premier league fans have circled on their calendars, we’re shifting focus from the glitz of the Manchester Derby to a gritty, desperate scramble at the bottom and a high-stakes tactical chess match in the Midlands. We have two massive games on the slate for Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Wolves are hosting Newcastle United at Molineux, and Aston Villa are welcoming Everton to Villa Park. On paper, it looks like a standard Sunday. In reality, it’s a day that could effectively end Wolverhampton's hopes of survival or cement Unai Emery’s Villa as the only real threat to Arsenal’s lead at the top.
Wolves vs Newcastle: Molineux’s Last Stand?
Let's talk about Wolves. It’s been a brutal season for them. They are sitting dead last in the table with only 7 points from 21 matches. That is a terrifying statistic.
Usually, by mid-January, teams in this position are already being fitted for their Championship kits. However, there’s a weird flicker of hope. They haven’t actually lost in three games. They’ve picked up draws against Everton and others, which, for a team that had lost 16 times already, feels like a winning streak.
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They face a Newcastle side that is absolutely flying. Eddie Howe has the Magpies up in 6th place, and they are coming off a chaotic 4-3 win over Leeds. They’re only one point behind Brentford for a European spot.
The Molineux Factor and Injury Woes
History says this match is going to be a scrap. Every single Premier League meeting between these two at Molineux has seen both teams score. It’s just what they do. But Wolves are limping into this one. Toti Gomes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde are both out with hamstring issues.
Newcastle has their own problems. They are missing half their defense. Fabian Schar has a busted ankle, Dan Burn has a broken rib, and Sven Botman is still a long-term absentee. If Wolves are going to find a way to score, it’s against this patched-together Newcastle backline.
Aston Villa vs Everton: The Pressure of the Top Three
The late kickoff sees Aston Villa try to keep pace with Arsenal. Villa are currently tied with Man City on 43 points. With City losing yesterday, a win today puts Villa clear in second place.
Unai Emery has turned Villa Park into a fortress, but the squad is starting to show the wear and tear of a long season. Amadou Onana is out, and there are massive doubts over World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez. If Martinez can’t go, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin might be licking his lips.
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Calvert-Lewin just won the EA SPORTS Player of the Month award—his first in six years. He’s finally healthy, he’s found his scoring boots, and Everton desperately need a result to stay away from that 17th-place trapdoor where Nottingham Forest is currently hovering.
What Most People Get Wrong About Everton
People look at Everton and see a "relegation-threatened" club because they’re 12th. But they’ve been strangely solid lately. They draw a lot of games. They are hard to beat. Sean Dyche basically builds human walls for a living. Villa might have the creative spark with McGinn and Tielemans, but Everton are the masters of the 1-1 "frustration draw."
Why the Standings Look So Weird This Year
If you haven't checked the table lately, it's a mess. Arsenal are top with 50 points, but after their 0-0 draw with Forest yesterday, they didn't pull away as much as they should have.
The middle of the pack is basically a 10-team pile-up. Sunderland—yes, the Black Cats—are sitting in 8th place. They just beat Crystal Palace 2-1 and are unironically fighting for Europe. Meanwhile, Tottenham have plummeted to 14th after losing at home to West Ham.
Here is the current state of play for the top half:
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- Arsenal: 50 points (Missed a chance to go 9 clear yesterday)
- Man City: 43 points (Suffered a Carrick masterclass)
- Aston Villa: 43 points (Can hit 46 today)
- Liverpool: 36 points (Winless in four after drawing with Burnley)
- Man United: 35 points (The Carrick bounce is real)
Real-World Tactics: What to Watch For
When you tune into the matches today premier league broadcasters are going to hammer the "relegation battle" narrative for Wolves. Watch the wide areas. Wolves have been playing this 18-year-old kid Mane who has been dazzling on the wing. If he can get isolated against Newcastle's Tino Livramento (who is also nursing a thigh knock), Molineux might actually erupt.
In the Villa game, keep an eye on the set pieces. Everton lives and dies by them. Without Amadou Onana in the Villa midfield to contest those high balls, James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite are going to be constant threats during corners.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the action today, keep these specific things in mind for your own analysis or fantasy picks:
- The Goalkeeper Watch: If Robin Olsen starts for Villa instead of Martinez, the "Both Teams to Score" bet becomes much more likely. Olsen is a decent pro, but he doesn't command the box like the Argentinian.
- The Newcastle Fatigue: Newcastle played a high-intensity game against Leeds just days ago. Their "Gegenpressing" style might fade after the 60th minute. Look for Wolves to bring on fresh legs like Goncalo Guedes late in the game.
- The Sunderland Anomaly: Keep an eye on the scores from around the league. Sunderland’s rise isn't a fluke; they’ve developed a defensive structure that even the big six are struggling to break down.
The Premier League in 2026 is proving that stability is a myth. Whether it's a caretaker manager winning a derby or a bottom-of-the-table team suddenly finding a pulse, nothing is guaranteed.
To stay ahead of the curve, check the official Premier League digital calendar for the sudden fixture changes that have been happening due to the expanded European competitions. The rest periods between games are being strictly monitored now, which is why we’re seeing more staggered Sunday and Monday night kickoffs than in previous seasons. Keep an eye on the late fitness tests for William Osula at Newcastle and Boubacar Kamara at Villa—they could be the difference-makers in today's results.