🔗 Share this article English Top-Flight Buildup, La Liga, Africa Cup Knockout Stage and Old Firm Derby – Matchday Action Introduction Greetings. The calendar confirms it's Saturday. After the festive confusion, it’s now the third day of the new year although a schedule of only four top-flight matches indicates things aren't back to normal. Still, for many out there, this is the final weekend of the holiday so a chance to head to the match. That quartet of Premier League offerings includes Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest at 12.30pm while, starting simultaneously, we have the little matter of an Old Firm derby. This one is especially fascinating due to the ongoing turmoil at Celtic Park. Later in the day at 5.30pm, leaders Arsenal travel to a Bournemouth side who can’t win anymore but are still capable of playing out entertaining draws with the glamour teams. While the EFL takes a break, there is plenty of action in Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1 while we’ve entered the knockout phase of Afcon. Senegal v Sudan at four o'clock and Mali v Tunisia at 7pm keep the fun flowing. Typical for our live coverage, we’re keen to hear from you so hit us with comments and emails. Are you going to a game? Has the new year brought renewed hope for your club? Or simply just tell us if your day consists of wall-to-wall football on the tellybox as you polish off the final chocolate oranges. It's widely accepted the caramel variety doesn't compare to the original. Alright, let’s get this weekend started! A Fan's Epic Journey One fan has made an epic trip. A message arrives from Christer Aakeroy: “Journeying more than 4,400 miles from Manhattan, Kansas – the 'Little Apple' – to support my beloved Seagulls, I really hope that they fulfill their obvious talent and bring plenty of cheer and happiness to the Amex this afternoon.” Brighton host Burnley (3pm) so the odds are in your favour/favor Christer. However, this piece of data might be worrying: Burnley are without a loss in their last seven league visits to Brighton (Two wins, five draws) since a 2-0 loss in August 2013. They’ve never lost at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League (Two wins, four draws). A Full Slate of Minute-by-Minute Action If you like an MBM (minute-by-minute), we have you covered. And then some! 12.30pm Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest – Sarah Rendell 12.30pm Celtic v Rangers – me, David Tindall 5.30pm Bournemouth v Arsenal – Barry Glendenning Plus, live updates from the 3pm EPL games will be provided by Billy Munday in his clockwatch while Dominic Booth is on hand with live coverage of the first two Afcon last-16 ties (starting at four and seven). Also, keep your eyes peeled for live coverage of the fifth and final Ashes Test (Tim de Lisle and Angus Fontaine) and the PDC World darts final (Rob Smyth)! European Round-Up A few results around Europe from last night. Serie A Cagliari 0-1 AC Milan La Liga Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Getafe Ligue 1 Toulouse 0-3 Lens Over in Italy, Rafael Leao celebrated his return from injury with the first Serie A goal of 2026. His second-half winner put Milan top of Serie A by two points although local rivals Inter can return to the summit when they host Bologna on Sunday. Serie A Table (Top 5): 1. AC Milan – 38 pts 2. Inter Milan – 36 pts 3. Napoli – 34 pts 4. Roma – 33 pts 5. Juventus – 32 pts Meanwhile in France, Lens extended their advantage at the summit over champions PSG with a comfortable 3-0 success at eighth-place Toulouse, who were significantly hindered by being having a player sent off after just twenty minutes. That’s seven straight wins now for Lens. Could they pull off a title shock? Ligue 1 Table (Top 5): 1. Lens – 40 pts 2. PSG – 36 pts 3. Marseille – 32 pts 4. Lille – 32 pts 5. Lyon – 27 pts Get In Touch Heading to a Premier League match today? Maybe you've embarked on an adventurous journey to the Africa Cup of Nations? Send your thoughts and hopes with us.
Introduction Greetings. The calendar confirms it's Saturday. After the festive confusion, it’s now the third day of the new year although a schedule of only four top-flight matches indicates things aren't back to normal. Still, for many out there, this is the final weekend of the holiday so a chance to head to the match. That quartet of Premier League offerings includes Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest at 12.30pm while, starting simultaneously, we have the little matter of an Old Firm derby. This one is especially fascinating due to the ongoing turmoil at Celtic Park. Later in the day at 5.30pm, leaders Arsenal travel to a Bournemouth side who can’t win anymore but are still capable of playing out entertaining draws with the glamour teams. While the EFL takes a break, there is plenty of action in Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1 while we’ve entered the knockout phase of Afcon. Senegal v Sudan at four o'clock and Mali v Tunisia at 7pm keep the fun flowing. Typical for our live coverage, we’re keen to hear from you so hit us with comments and emails. Are you going to a game? Has the new year brought renewed hope for your club? Or simply just tell us if your day consists of wall-to-wall football on the tellybox as you polish off the final chocolate oranges. It's widely accepted the caramel variety doesn't compare to the original. Alright, let’s get this weekend started!
A Fan's Epic Journey One fan has made an epic trip. A message arrives from Christer Aakeroy: “Journeying more than 4,400 miles from Manhattan, Kansas – the 'Little Apple' – to support my beloved Seagulls, I really hope that they fulfill their obvious talent and bring plenty of cheer and happiness to the Amex this afternoon.” Brighton host Burnley (3pm) so the odds are in your favour/favor Christer. However, this piece of data might be worrying: Burnley are without a loss in their last seven league visits to Brighton (Two wins, five draws) since a 2-0 loss in August 2013. They’ve never lost at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League (Two wins, four draws).
A Full Slate of Minute-by-Minute Action If you like an MBM (minute-by-minute), we have you covered. And then some! 12.30pm Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest – Sarah Rendell 12.30pm Celtic v Rangers – me, David Tindall 5.30pm Bournemouth v Arsenal – Barry Glendenning Plus, live updates from the 3pm EPL games will be provided by Billy Munday in his clockwatch while Dominic Booth is on hand with live coverage of the first two Afcon last-16 ties (starting at four and seven). Also, keep your eyes peeled for live coverage of the fifth and final Ashes Test (Tim de Lisle and Angus Fontaine) and the PDC World darts final (Rob Smyth)!
European Round-Up A few results around Europe from last night. Serie A Cagliari 0-1 AC Milan La Liga Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Getafe Ligue 1 Toulouse 0-3 Lens Over in Italy, Rafael Leao celebrated his return from injury with the first Serie A goal of 2026. His second-half winner put Milan top of Serie A by two points although local rivals Inter can return to the summit when they host Bologna on Sunday. Serie A Table (Top 5): 1. AC Milan – 38 pts 2. Inter Milan – 36 pts 3. Napoli – 34 pts 4. Roma – 33 pts 5. Juventus – 32 pts Meanwhile in France, Lens extended their advantage at the summit over champions PSG with a comfortable 3-0 success at eighth-place Toulouse, who were significantly hindered by being having a player sent off after just twenty minutes. That’s seven straight wins now for Lens. Could they pull off a title shock? Ligue 1 Table (Top 5): 1. Lens – 40 pts 2. PSG – 36 pts 3. Marseille – 32 pts 4. Lille – 32 pts 5. Lyon – 27 pts
Get In Touch Heading to a Premier League match today? Maybe you've embarked on an adventurous journey to the Africa Cup of Nations? Send your thoughts and hopes with us.