The January window is usually a mess of panic buys and frozen pitches, but 2026 feels different. People keep looking for a massive slate of games for today English Premier League fans, yet the midweek schedule has thrown a massive curveball. If you’re checking the app for a full list of league fixtures right now, you’re going to be disappointed.
The league is actually taking a breather for the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is dominated by one massive London derby: Chelsea vs. Arsenal. It’s the first leg. It’s at Stamford Bridge. And honestly, it’s the only game that matters for English top-flight fans today.
Why the English Premier League Standings are Frozen Today
You’ve probably noticed the table hasn't budged since the weekend. Arsenal currently sits at the summit with 49 points after 21 games. They’ve been relentless. Manchester City and a surprisingly gritty Aston Villa side are breathing down their necks, both tied on 43 points.
The "Big Six" narrative is basically dead. Look at Brentford in 5th place with 33 points. They’ve outplayed Manchester United and Chelsea for large stretches of this campaign. It’s wild.
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Because of the cup schedule, the next meaningful movement in the today English Premier League landscape won't happen until Saturday, January 17. That’s when we get the Manchester Derby. For now, the league is effectively on a "cup break," which gives managers like Arne Slot at Liverpool or the newly appointed Michael Carrick at Manchester United some much-needed breathing room.
The Michael Carrick Era Begins at Old Trafford
Speaking of United, today is technically Michael Carrick’s first "official" full day in the building as the interim head coach after the club finally pulled the plug on Ruben Amorim. It’s been a revolving door at Carrington. Carrick has been tasked with one thing: salvage Champions League qualification.
United is currently 7th. They have 32 points. It’s not a disaster, but the football has been drab.
The irony isn't lost on fans that while Carrick is trying to find his office keys, his former teammate Xabi Alonso is suddenly a free agent. Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid just two days ago after losing the Spanish Supercup to Barcelona. Every Liverpool fan is currently tracking flight paths from Madrid to John Lennon Airport, even though Arne Slot is still technically in the job. It’s pure January madness.
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Liam Rosenior’s Massive Chelsea Test
While the league is quiet, West London is anything but. Liam Rosenior is only a week into his tenure as Chelsea boss. Talk about a baptism by fire.
He started well with a 5-1 thrashing of Charlton in the FA Cup, but Arsenal is a different beast. Mikel Arteta’s men are leading the league and the Champions League groups. They are, quite simply, the best team in England right now.
Chelsea has some major fitness "ifs" today. Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Malo Gusto are all late fitness tests. Rosenior told the press he’s giving them every second possible to prove they can go. If Palmer doesn't start, Chelsea's creative spark basically vanishes. Plus, Moises Caicedo is out on suspension. That midfield battle against Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard looks incredibly lopsided on paper.
The Marc Guéhi Tug-of-War
You can’t talk about the today English Premier League scene without mentioning the transfer circus. Marc Guéhi is the name on everyone’s lips.
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He’s in the final six months of his contract at Crystal Palace. Liverpool and Manchester City are currently in a bidding war that feels like it’s going to break the £60m mark. Palace is playing hardball, but they know they lose him for free in the summer if they don't sell now. It’s a classic January Mexican standoff.
What to Watch for Tonight
Since there are no actual Premier League points on the line today, your focus should be entirely on the tactical shift at Chelsea. Rosenior is a "project" manager. He wants to play out from the back, much like Maresca did, but with more verticality.
- Watch the Arsenal High Press: Arteta will try to suffocate Chelsea’s young backline early.
- The "New Manager Bounce": Does Chelsea actually have it, or was the Charlton win a fluke?
- Set Pieces: Arsenal is statistically the best in the world at corners right now. Chelsea's zonal marking has been shaky at best.
The winner of this first leg essentially dictates the mood for the rest of the month. If Arsenal wins comfortably at the Bridge, the second leg at the Emirates becomes a formality. If Rosenior pulls off a masterclass, he becomes an instant hero in the Shed End.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve while the league is technically "off" for the next 72 hours, here is what you should do:
- Check the Saturday Lineups Early: With the Manchester Derby (City @ United) kicking off at 7:30 AM ET on Saturday, the injury reports coming out of Carrington today are vital.
- Monitor the Guéhi Situation: Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein are both reporting "significant steps" in the Liverpool deal. If that moves today, the odds for the title race will shift.
- Tune into the Carabao Cup: The Chelsea vs. Arsenal match kicks off at 8:00 PM UK time. It’s being broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and streaming via various platforms in the US.
The Premier League table might be stagnant for the next few days, but the power shifts happening behind the scenes are massive. Don't let the lack of fixtures fool you; this is the week the season usually gets decided.