Happy New Year! The champagne has been popped, Auld Lang Syne has been sung, and the collective headache of the nation is setting in. But there is no better cure for a New Year’s hangover than the most traditional fixture list in British sport.
It is Matchday 21 of the 2025/26 Premier League season. We are officially on the downhill slope toward May. But as the teams line up in the tunnels today, things will look slightly different.
With the AFCON 2025 in full swing in Morocco, the "Winter Exodus" has hit. No Mohamed Salah. No André Onana. No Nicolas Jackson. Today isn't just about who starts 2026 with a win; it’s about which squad has the depth to survive the next month without their African talismans.
Here is your complete guide to the New Year's Day action.
12:30 GMT | The Early Kick-Off
Manchester United vs. Brentford
Venue: Old Trafford
The AFCON Factor: André Onana (Cameroon) is absent.
The year kicks off at the Theatre of Dreams. Manchester United fans will be nervous, not just because of their inconsistent form, but because their first-choice goalkeeper is currently in Casablanca preparing for a Round of 16 clash.
The Narrative: Brentford loves to prey on uncertainty. With United's backup keeper between the sticks, expect the Bees to launch high crosses and set-pieces into the box from minute one. Ten Hag needs a calm, professional start to the year to silence the critics, but Thomas Frank’s side rarely gives gifts.
15:00 GMT | The Traditional Block
Four matches kick off simultaneously in the classic slot.
Venue: Anfield
The AFCON Factor: Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Mohammed Kudus (Ghana) are absent.
This is the headline act of the afternoon, defined by who isn't there.
The Narrative: For Liverpool, the "Life Without Salah" era begins today. Can Federico Chiesa or Harvey Elliott step up to provide the goal output on the right wing? They face a West Ham side also missing their spark in Kudus. This game could be a tactical stalemate decided by a single moment of magic from the players left behind—look for Dominik Szoboszlai to take control.
Venue: Stamford Bridge
The AFCON Factor: Nicolas Jackson (Senegal) is absent.
Chelsea’s expensive squad depth faces a true test. With their primary striker leading the line for Senegal, the burden of scoring falls heavily on Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku. Leicester, fighting for survival, will look to park the bus and frustrate a Blues side that often struggles to break down low blocks without a physical focal point.
Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace
Venue: Villa Park
Unai Emery’s side starts 2026 with sights firmly set on the Champions League spots. Villa Park has been a fortress, and they will look to overwhelm a Palace side that has been inconsistent on the road.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Everton
Venue: Molineux
A classic relegation "six-pointer" to start the year. Neither side can afford to lose this. Expect a gritty, physical battle where the football might not be pretty, but the three points are worth their weight in gold.
17:30 GMT | The Late Show
Venue: The Emirates Stadium
The Stakes: Title Credentials on the Line.
We wrap up New Year's Day with a massive clash in North London.
The Narrative: Arsenal cannot afford to drop points if they want to stay in the title race. They face a Newcastle side that thrives on disrupting rhythm. The midfield battle—Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard vs. Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali—will be absolute box office.
Key Watch: Arsenal’s discipline. Newcastle will try to turn this into a physical scrap; Arsenal must keep their heads and play their football.
The "Depth Test": Who Survives January?
While the points table tells one story, the squad lists tell another. January 2026 will be defined by the "AFCON Gap."
Liverpool is arguably the most vulnerable. Salah isn't just a goalscorer; he is their system. If they drop points today, the title race swings heavily toward Manchester City (who have fewer key absences).
Opportunity Knocks: Keep an eye on the academy kids. Today is the day a 19-year-old winger gets 20 minutes off the bench and potentially makes a name for himself.
Conclusion: 2026 Starts Now
The festive period is a grueling test of endurance, and today is the final hurdle before the FA Cup break. By tonight, the table will have shifted, and we will know which teams have the resilience to cope with the "January Blues."
The stars may be in Morocco, but the points stay in England.
Enjoy the matches, and Happy New Year!