The new year is here and that means the Premier League trophy will soon be hoisted once again. The only question left is which team will take home the honors. Arsenal are currently the favorites to win the title at the end of the season. Mikel Arteta’s side have made a great start to the 2025-26 season.
A resounding 4-1 victory over Aston Villa left them four points clear at the top of the table. If they can maintain this position into May, it will end a long drought in which they have not won a league title in more than 20 years. However, they face a difficult challenge in the form of Manchester City. Josep Guardiola’s teams routinely win the league.
However, their first match of 2026 against Sunderland ended 0-0 and they could only secure a draw. Each match week brings fresh surprises, and the coming weeks promise to be no different. Express Sport takes a look at each team’s upcoming matches in January.
arsenal
Despite the distractions of Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup fixtures, the Gunners will undoubtedly prioritize winning the Premier League title. The first game of 2026 will be away to Bournemouth.
Arsenal’s tough schedule continues with a home match against Liverpool in a few days. Even though Arne Slott’s side have not been up to their usual high standards this season, the match against the reigning champions will not be easy.
The Gunners’ next game is an away trip to Nottingham Forest nine days later, before facing Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday towards the end of January. The month ends with an away game against a resurgent Leeds United at Elland Road.
arsenal match schedule
Bournemouth (A) – Saturday 3rd January.
LIVERPOOL (H) – Thursday, January 8th.
Nottingham Forest (A) – Saturday 17th January.
Manchester United (H) – Sunday 25th January.
Leeds United (A) – Saturday 31st January.
manchester city
For City, a visit to Stamford Bridge usually poses a significant challenge for Guardiola’s side, and this weekend looks to be no different. However, Chelsea are currently without a manager following the departure of Enzo Maresca, which could make the task even more difficult.
City’s tough run of fixtures continues until their home game against Brighton in midweek, before heading to Old Trafford in mid-January for the latest chapter in the Manchester derby saga.
The home match against bottom-placed Wolves should be a great chance for City to pick up all three points. The same could be said for the visit of Spurs, but given the north London side’s recent success against Guardiola’s side, it may not be as easy as some expect.
manchester city match schedule
Chelsea (A) – Sunday, January 4th.
Brighton & Hove Albion (H) – Wednesday 7th January.
Manchester United (A) – Saturday 17th January.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) Saturday 24th January.
Tottenham Hotspur (A) – Sunday 1 February.
