Arsenal and Manchester City are seen as favorites to win the Premier League in 2025-26, with both teams looking to underline their championship in January.
The new year is approaching. That means there are only a few months left until the Premier League trophy can be hoisted in the sky again. The only mystery concerns the identity of the team lifting it.
As it stands, Arsenal are favorites to win the title at the end of the season. Mikel Arteta’s side have made an excellent start to the 2025-26 season.
A resounding 4-1 victory against Aston Villa left them four behind at the top of the table. If they can maintain that position until May, it will end a long wait of more than 20 years without a league title.
But they have one problem and that is Manchester City. Josep Guardiola’s side have made a habit of winning the Premier League. However, they could only pick up a point in their first game of 2026 after drawing 0-0 with Sunderland.
There are new developments with each game every week, and it looks like the next few weeks will be no different. Mirror Football takes you through each team’s upcoming matches in January.
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The Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup fixtures will provide some distractions for the Gunners, but winning the Premier League title is definitely their priority. The first game of 2026 will be away to Bournemouth.
They then follow up with a home game against Liverpool just a few days later. Arne Slott’s side have not been at their best this season, but they will still be a tough challenge against the reigning champions.
A trip to Nottingham Forest is his next assignment in nine days’ time, followed by a Sunday clash with Manchester United at the Emirates at the end of the month. Arsenal conclude January with an away match against a resurgent Leeds at Elland Road.
Arsenal fixtures:
Bournemouth (A) – Saturday 3rd January
Liverpool (H) – Thursday 8th January
Nottingham Forest (A) – Saturday 17th January
Manchester United (H) – Sunday 25th January
Leeds United (A) – Saturday 31st January
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A trip to Stamford Bridge usually gives Josep Guardiola’s side a lot to think about and this weekend will no doubt be no different. But that could become even more difficult given the Blues are without a manager following the departure of Enzo Maresca.
The tricky fixture continues until the midweek home game against Brighton, before City travel to Old Trafford for the latest Manchester derby in mid-January.
A home game against rock-bottom Wolves should be City’s best chance to pick up maximum points. The same could be said for the trip to Spurs, although it may not be as easy as some are expecting given the north London side’s numerous wins over Guardiola and his team in recent years.
Man City fixtures:
Chelsea (A) – Sunday 4th January
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
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