It is finally here. The Manchester Derby. If you've been living under a rock, Manchester United hosts Manchester City at Old Trafford today, January 17, 2026. This isn't just another game for the history books; it’s a massive collision between two teams desperately chasing different ends of the dream. City is currently sitting in second place with 43 points, breathing down the neck of an Arsenal side that seems almost untouchable. United? They’re stuck in seventh. They’ve got 32 points and a goal difference of only +4. Basically, they need a win today just to stay relevant in the European conversation.
Honestly, the next premier league match fixtures are usually where seasons are either saved or completely trashed. We’re deep into January. The weather is miserable. The transfer window is wide open and distracting everyone. And the schedule? It’s relentless.
The big ones you can't miss this weekend
The Derby starts at 12:30 PM local time. If you’re in the States, that’s a brutal 7:30 AM ET wake-up call, but it’s worth it. City is coming off a bit of a weird run. They’ve drawn three of their last five matches. That’s not "City-like." They recently dropped points against Brighton, which honestly nobody saw coming. But United isn't exactly flying high either. They’ve had eight wins and eight draws this season. That’s the definition of inconsistent.
Once the dust settles at Old Trafford, we move into the 3:00 PM (10:00 AM ET) block. There is a lot going on here.
- Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United: A London derby that usually ends in chaos. Spurs are sitting in 14th place. Yeah, you read 그 right. 14th. They’ve only got 27 points. West Ham is even worse off, languishing in 18th. It’s a "relegation-adjacent" scrap for two teams that should be much higher.
- Liverpool vs Burnley: Liverpool is in 4th. They are solid, but they just lost Conor Bradley to a nasty injury. Arne Slot has to figure out that right-back situation fast because Burnley is desperate.
- Chelsea vs Brentford: Chelsea is 8th. Brentford is 5th. Read that again. The Bees are actually outperforming the Blues this season.
- Sunderland vs Crystal Palace: Sunderland has been the surprise package, sitting 10th after coming up. They’re a tough nut to crack at the Stadium of Light.
- Leeds United vs Fulham: A mid-table battle that will probably be more entertaining than people think.
Then, to cap off Saturday, Nottingham Forest hosts the league leaders, Arsenal, at 5:30 PM. Arsenal has 49 points. They’ve only lost twice all season. Forest is 17th. On paper, it’s a blowout. In reality? The City Ground at night is where title charges go to die.
Why the January window is messing with the next premier league match fixtures
You can't talk about the upcoming games without looking at the transfer madness. The mid-season window is always a bit of a panic buy festival, and 2026 is no different.
Take Tottenham, for example. They just dropped £34.7 million to bring Conor Gallagher back from Atletico Madrid. They’re hoping his energy can fix whatever is broken in their midfield before they face West Ham. Meanwhile, Manchester City just spent £65 million on Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. Will he play today against United? Pep Guardiola loves a surprise, but throwing a new signing into a Derby is a big call.
West Ham has been busy too, grabbing Taty Castellanos from Lazio for £25.2 million. They need goals. They have a goal difference of -21, which is frankly embarrassing for a squad of that quality.
Sunday and Monday: The drama continues
If you survive Saturday, Sunday has two more massive games.
At 2:00 PM (9:00 AM ET), Wolves take on Newcastle. Wolves are dead last. 20th place. Only 7 points. It is looking grim for them. Newcastle is 6th and looking to leapfrog Brentford into that fifth spot.
Then at 4:30 PM (11:30 AM ET), we get Aston Villa vs Everton. Villa is tied with City on 43 points. They are legit title contenders this year under Unai Emery. Everton is 12th, and while they aren't in immediate danger, they need to stop the bleeding after a few rough weeks.
Finally, Monday Night Football features Brighton vs Bournemouth. Brighton is 11th, Bournemouth is 15th. It’s the "South Coast-ish" Derby.
Current Standings at a Glance (Top 5)
- Arsenal - 49 pts (21 games played)
- Manchester City - 43 pts (21 games played)
- Aston Villa - 43 pts (21 games played)
- Liverpool - 35 pts (21 games played)
- Brentford - 33 pts (21 games played)
It's tight. One bad weekend for Arsenal and a City win today makes it a three-point gap. One win for Brentford and they’re suddenly breathing down Liverpool’s neck for a Champions League spot.
🔗 Read more: Latest Man Utd News: What Everyone Is Getting Wrong About the Carrick Era
What you should actually watch for
If you’re betting or just trying to look smart in the group chat, keep an eye on the injury reports. Liverpool losing Conor Bradley is a bigger deal than it looks. He’s been their spark on the right. Also, watch the "new signing bounce." Sometimes players like Gallagher or Semenyo provide an immediate emotional lift to a tired squad.
The next premier league match fixtures are going to define the trajectory of the spring. By Tuesday morning, we’ll know if Arsenal is running away with it or if the Manchester Derby has blown the title race wide open again.
Check your local listings because the kickoff times are staggered. Most games are on USA Network or Peacock in the US, while Sky Sports and TNT Sports split the duties in the UK.
📖 Related: Quarterbacks With Long Hair: What Most People Get Wrong
Don't miss the 12:30 PM kickoff today. The Derby usually delivers.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Clear your Saturday morning schedule for the Manchester Derby (12:30 PM UK / 7:30 AM ET).
- Check the final starting lineups 60 minutes before kickoff to see if new signings like Conor Gallagher or Taty Castellanos make their debuts.
- Monitor the Arsenal result at Nottingham Forest; a slip-up there could fundamentally shift the betting odds for the title race heading into February.