Honestly, if you’re a fan of the beautiful game, today is one of those Saturdays where your couch basically becomes your permanent residence. We aren't just looking at a handful of matches scattered across the globe. We are deep in the winter grind of January 2026, and the stakes across the Premier League, La Liga, and the Bundesliga have reached a bit of a fever pitch.
Between the shock management changes in Manchester and the high-speed title chases in Spain and Germany, there is almost too much to track. You've got options from the crack of dawn on the East Coast all the way through late-night Liga MX fixtures. It's a lot.
Soccer Games Televised Today: The Premier League Shakeup
The headline of the morning was undoubtedly the Manchester Derby. It kicked off at 7:30 AM ET on USA Network and Universo, and man, what a way to start the day. Michael Carrick making his debut as United's permanent boss against Pep Guardiola’s City? That’s the kind of drama you can’t script. Bryan Mbeumo—who has been an absolute revelation since his move—slotted home the opener to give United a 2-0 stunner. If you missed it live, you'll be seeing that replay for the next week.
But the action didn't stop at Old Trafford. The 10:00 AM ET window was a total logjam. Liverpool vs. Burnley took the main slot on USA Network, while the rest of the pack migrated to Peacock.
- Chelsea vs. Brentford (NBCSN/Peacock): Watching Joao Pedro find his feet in London has been a highlight of the season so far.
- Tottenham vs. West Ham: The London Derby that usually ends in a brawl or a 3-3 draw. It’s on Peacock.
- Sunderland vs. Crystal Palace: A gritty relegation-avoidance battle for those who prefer their soccer with a side of anxiety.
Later today, at 12:30 PM ET, Arsenal travels to Nottingham Forest. You can catch that on NBC and Peacock. Arsenal has been dropping points lately, so Forest’s ground will be a literal cauldron.
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European Heavyweights and Where to Stream Them
If English soccer isn't your vibe, or you're just a glutton for punishment, the rest of the continent is wide open. Real Madrid handled business early against Levante (an 8:00 AM ET kickoff on ESPN+), but the Spanish slate stays busy. Real Betis vs. Villarreal at 3:00 PM ET is the one to circle. It’s on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes, and usually, these two teams forget how to defend, which makes for great TV.
Over in Germany, the Bundesliga is providing the game of the day. RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich at 12:30 PM ET on ESPN+. This isn't just a game; it's a clash of ideologies. Bayern is trying to assert dominance after a shaky December, while Leipzig is looking to prove they aren't just a "selling club."
Italy's Serie A schedule is equally tasty. Napoli vs. Sassuolo is the 12:00 PM ET feature on Paramount+. Antonio Conte is serving a touchline ban, so expect plenty of shots of him looking grumpy in a glass box while 23-year-old Antonio Vergara makes his first big start.
The Full Saturday TV and Streaming Rundown
Keeping track of which app to open is half the battle these days. Here is a breakdown of how the afternoon and evening look for soccer fans in the US.
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Early Afternoon Window (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET)
Lens vs. Auxerre kicked off at 11:00 AM on beIN SPORTS. It’s the quintessential Ligue 1 battle—physical, fast, and probably going to end in a red card. Toulouse vs. Nice follows shortly at 1:00 PM.
If you're into the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr vs. Al-Shabab is on FOX Soccer Plus at 12:30 PM. Yes, people are still watching for the big-name veterans, but the local talent has actually stepped up significantly this year.
Late Afternoon and Evening (2:45 PM ET Onwards)
Juventus is away at Cagliari (2:45 PM ET on Paramount+). Juve has been "pragmatic," which is a polite way of saying they win 1-0 and make you want to nap. For more goals, stick with Marseille taking on Angers at 3:05 PM on beIN SPORTS.
Finally, the night caps off with Liga MX. Tigres vs. Toluca is the big one at 8:00 PM ET. It’s airing on Telemundo, Universo, and Fox Deportes. The atmosphere at the Estadio Universitario is something every fan should experience at least once, even if it's just through a screen.
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Actionable Tips for the Weekend Fan
Don't just mindlessly flip channels. To actually enjoy the mountain of soccer televised today, you need a bit of a strategy.
First, if you have Peacock, use the "Goal Rush" feed during the 10:00 AM ET window. It’s basically NFL RedZone for soccer. They whip around to all the goals as they happen, which is way better than watching a scoreless draw between Leeds and Fulham.
Second, check your Paramount+ settings. They’ve been doing a lot of 4K broadcasts for Serie A lately, but you usually have to manually select the high-res stream.
Finally, if you’re looking for a sleeper hit, watch Wrexham vs. Norwich in the Championship. It's on Paramount+ and the pace is absolutely frantic compared to the tactical chess matches of the top divisions.
Whether you're following the title race in Germany or just waiting for the Liga MX nightcap, the schedule today is relentless. Grab a coffee (or something stronger for the late games) and enjoy the ride.
The best way to stay ahead is to sync your digital calendar with a reliable schedule aggregator like World Soccer Talk or the FotMob app. These services update in real-time when games are flexed for TV or delayed by weather, which happens more than you'd think in the English winter. Set your notifications for the 12:30 PM Arsenal game now so you don't miss the lineups.