Football Fixtures Preview – (January 5-8): This weekend presents the first round of games of the new year in some top European leagues, except others like Laliga who had their first round of games played during the week. There won’t be any action in the English Premier League this weekend, as English teams will be having their FA Cup third-round clashes this weekend.
Sixty-four English teams, across all tiers of English football, face off in a knockout round that sees each winner progress to the next round, while teams who end their games in a stalemate have replays.
Having played their games during the week, La Liga teams won’t also be in action this weekend.
Teams in Serie A continue their league matches this weekend, with some mind-blowing clashes on the way. Bundesliga and Ligue 1 resume their respective leagues in the coming weekend. Watch out for the biggest European games of the weekend, our football fixtures preview, and predictions, as the football world promises the best of actions to welcome fans into the new year.
FA Cup Football Fixtures Preview
FRIDAY, 5 JANUARY 2024
Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers 7:15 pm
Fulham v Rotherham United 7:30 pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley 8 pm
SATURDAY, 6 JANUARY 2024
Sunderland v Newcastle United 12.45 pm
AFC Wimbledon v Ipswich Town 12:30 pm
Millwall v Leicester City 12:30 pm
Coventry City v Oxford United 12:30 pm
Maidstone United v Stevenage 12:30 pm
Newport County v Eastleigh 3 pm
Hull City v Birmingham City at 3 pm
Queens Park Rangers v AFC Bournemouth 3 pm
Plymouth Argyle v Sutton United 3 pm
Blackburn Rovers v Cambridge United 3 pm
Gillingham v Sheffield United 3 pm
Stoke City v Brighton & Hove Albion 3 pm
Southampton v Walsall 3 pm
Watford v Chesterfield 3 pm
Norwich City v Bristol Rovers 3 pm
Middlesbrough v Aston Villa 5.30 pm
Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff City 5:30 pm
Swansea City v Morecambe 5:30 pm
Chelsea v Preston North End 5.30 pm
SUNDAY, 7 JANUARY 2024
Manchester City v Huddersfield Town 2 pm
West Ham United v Bristol City 2 pm
West Bromwich Albion v Aldershot Town 2 pm
Peterborough United v Leeds United 2 pm
Nottingham Forest v Blackpool 2 pm
Luton Town v Bolton Wanderers 2 pm
Shrewsbury Town v Wrexham 2 pm
Arsenal v Liverpool 4:30 pm
MONDAY, 8 JANUARY 2024
Wigan Athletic v Manchester United 8:15 pm
FA Cup Previews
Liverpool v Arsenal
For the second time in two weeks and for the first time in 2024, the two English giants lock horns again, but this time, not in the Premier League. The third round of the FA Cup is one where easy fixtures are expected, as tough teams hardly clash against each other. However, this time, the drama is set to begin earlier than usual.
Football Review: The Wins, Losses, and Close Calls of the Football World
The previous fixture between both teams ended in an intense 1-1 draw at Anfield. However, this time, a struggling Arsenal hosts Liverpool at the Emirates. Arsenal go into this game from back-to-back losses against West Ham and Fulham, while Liverpool are experiencing the exact opposite, coming from back-to-back wins against Burnley and Newcastle. Arsenal will be hoping for a turnaround from their current woes, as they’ll be home against the lead leaders. Nonetheless, Liverpool’s current form gives them a lot of advantage, regardless of the game being away from home.
PREDICTION: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Tottenham vs Burnley
Another clash between two Premier League sides, with Tottenham being the easy favourites. Considering their league form, Tottenham are predictably winners. It’s the game of football, however, and shockers aren’t inevitable. With the absence of Tottebham’s top scorer, Heung-min Son, Burnley is less threatened against Postecoglu’s men. To snatch away an unlikely win or draw, Vincent Kompany’s men must be at their very best on the day.
PREDICTION: Tottenham 2-0 Burnley
Serie A Football Fixtures Preview
FRIDAY 5 JANUARY
Bologna v Genoa 20:45
SATURDAY 6 JANUARY
Inter v Hellas Verona 12:30
Frosinone v Monza 15:00
Lecce v Cagliari 18:00
Sassuolo v Fiorentina 20:45
SUNDAY 7 JANUARY
Empoli v AC Milan 12:30
Udinese v Lazio 15:00
Torino v SSC Napoli 15:00
Salernitana v Juventus 18:00
Roma v Atalanta 20:45
Series A Previews
Torino v SSC Napoli
In their first game of the year, a struggling Napoli travels to Torino in search of a turnaround to their dismal season. The defending champions sit 8th with 28 points from a possible 54, contrasting their impressive performance in the previous season that saw them conquer the league for the second time in their history. Torino came into this game after a sad 1-0 loss away at Fiorentina, while Napoli had a goalless draw at home against Monza in their last game.
PREDICTION: Torino 1-0 Napoli
Roma v Atalanta
Two teams with a point and a position apiece on the league table clash against each other in game week 19. Atalanta sits at 6th with 29 points, while Roma sits at 7th with 28 points. Atalanta come into this game having defeated Leece 1-0 at home, while Roma are coming off a 1-0 loss to Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Until this defeat, Roma have looked resurgent, hence a narrow win seems possible for them.
PREDICTION: Roma 1-0 Atalanta
That ends it for our Football Fixtures Preview for this week.
