The Premier League doesn't care about your weekend plans. Honestly, if you've spent any time tracking the 2025-26 season, you know that the "traditional" Saturday 3 PM kickoff is basically a relic of the past. Between the new Champions League format stretching into late January and the domestic cup replays, the schedule is a total mess right now.
We are currently sitting in mid-January 2026, and the table is absolute chaos. Arsenal is clinging to a lead at the top with 48 points, but Manchester City and a surprisingly resilient Aston Villa are breathing down their necks, both tied at 43. If you're looking for the premier league next games, you need to realize we’re entering the "squeaky bum time" of winter.
One bad week in January usually ruins a season. Just ask Liverpool fans, who are currently watching their squad depth get tested to the breaking point with Conor Bradley out for the season and Alexander Isak sidelined.
The Massive Matchups: Manchester Derby and Beyond
The upcoming slate is heavy. Saturday, January 17, is the big one: Manchester United vs. Manchester City at Old Trafford. This isn't just a local spat anymore. City is chasing Arsenal for the title, while United—under their new system—is desperately trying to claw back into the top four from 7th place.
Later that same day, we’ve got Nottingham Forest hosting Arsenal at 6:30 PM. Forest is fighting for their lives near the bottom, and these are exactly the kind of "banana skin" games where the Gunners have slipped up in years past.
If you’re planning your viewing schedule, here is how the next few weeks actually look:
- January 17: The Manchester Derby (1:30 PM) is the clear headliner. Chelsea also hosts Brentford at 4:00 PM, which feels like a must-win for new boss Liam Rosenior.
- January 18: Aston Villa vs. Everton. Villa is the real deal this year. Unai Emery has them playing like title contenders, and Everton is stuck in that mid-table limbo where every point feels like a chore.
- January 25: Mark your calendars for Arsenal vs. Manchester United at the Emirates. This 5:30 PM kickoff will probably tell us if Arsenal actually has the nerves to win this league.
Why February is Actually the Month that Matters
Everyone talks about the January transfer window, but the fixtures in February are where the title will be won or lost. Sunday, February 8, is the date everyone is circling: Liverpool vs. Manchester City at Anfield.
Liverpool might be 4th right now, but they are still the only team that seems to know how to rattle Pep Guardiola's cage at home. By then, we should know if City's injury crisis—with Savinho and Oscar Bobb struggling for fitness—is actually going to cost them the trophy.
The Relegation Battle Nobody Talks About
While everyone is staring at the top of the table, the bottom is looking grim. Wolves are basically "dead in the water" with only 7 points. Burnley and West Ham aren't doing much better.
West Ham’s collapse has been shocking to watch. They are currently seven points adrift of safety. Their premier league next games against Manchester United (Feb 10) and Liverpool (Feb 28) look like absolute nightmares on paper. If they don't pick up points against the likes of Burnley on February 7, they’re gone.
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The Impact of the Carabao Cup
Don't forget the midweek distractions. Arsenal and Chelsea are currently locked in a two-legged semi-final battle. The second leg is set for February 3 at the Emirates.
This matters because it creates a massive "hangover" effect for their weekend league games. Managers like Mikel Arteta and Liam Rosenior have to decide: do we go all-out for a trophy now, or save the legs for the Champions League spots? Usually, they try to do both and end up with three more players in the treatment room.
What You Should Actually Watch For
If you’re betting or just trying to sound smart at the pub, keep an eye on Brentford. Thomas Frank has them sitting in 5th place. Fifth! They are genuinely pushing for Europe, and their game against Arsenal on February 12 is going to be a tactical masterclass.
Also, watch the "Souza" situation at Spurs. They just dropped £13 million on this 19-year-old Brazilian left-back. If he gets his work permit in time for the North London Derby on February 22, it adds a whole new layer of unpredictability to that fixture.
Essential Next Steps for Fans
Stop relying on the "standard" schedule apps because they rarely update the TV moves fast enough.
- Check the "Return to Play" dates: Before you get excited about the Liverpool vs. City game, check if Alisson or Rodri are actually back. Injuries are currently deciding more games than tactics are.
- Monitor the Friday Night slots: The league has been moving more games to Friday nights (like Leeds vs. Nottingham Forest on February 6) to accommodate the bloated European schedule.
- Watch the booking counts: We are at the point in the season where key midfielders are one yellow card away from a two-match ban. A suspension for someone like Declan Rice or Rodri right before a big derby changes everything.
The race is tighter than it’s been in years. Arsenal leads, but with City’s history of 15-game winning streaks in the spring, nobody is celebrating in North London just yet.
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Pay attention to the 12:30 PM kickoffs. They’ve been absolute chaos this season, and with the Manchester Derby occupying that slot on the 17th, expect the unexpected.