🔗 Share this article English Top-Flight Buildup, La Liga, Afcon Last 16 and Old Firm Derby – Saturday Live Preamble Good morning. It’s … (checks diary) … 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. Nevertheless, for many out there, this is the final weekend of the holiday so a perfect opportunity to head to the match. That quartet of Premier League offerings includes Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest at half past twelve while, kicking off at the same time, we have the not-so-small issue of an Old Firm derby. One with particular intrigue given the current chaos at Celtic. In the evening at half past five, leaders Arsenal travel to a Bournemouth side who can’t win anymore but are still able to produce thrilling stalemates 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 reached the last 16 of Afcon. Senegal v Sudan at 4pm and Mali v Tunisia at seven o'clock keep the fun flowing. As usual with matchday live, we’re keen to hear from you so hit us with comments and emails. Attending a match today? 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. I think we can all agree that the caramel version is nowhere near as good. Alright, let’s get this weekend started! A Fan's Epic Journey An early contender for longest traveller. Christer Aakeroy emails this: “Having travelled over 4,400 miles from Manhattan, Kansas (yes, it’s known as the ‘Little Apple’) to watch my beloved Seagulls, I really hope that they live up to their undoubted potential and bring plenty of cheer and happiness to the Amex this afternoon.” Brighton host Burnley (three o'clock) so statistics suggest a positive outcome, 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 defeat in August 2013. They’ve never lost at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League (W2 D4). A Full Slate of Minute-by-Minute Action For fans of live text commentary, we offer extensive coverage. And more! 12.30pm Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest – Sarah Rendell 12.30pm Celtic v Rangers – me, David Tindall 5.30pm Bournemouth v Arsenal – Barry Glendenning Additionally, live updates from the 3pm EPL games will be provided by Billy Munday in his clockwatch while Dominic Booth will cover the opening Afcon knockout matches (4pm and 7pm kick-offs). 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 Here are some key European scores from Friday. 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 marked his comeback with the opening Serie A strike of the new year. His 50th-minute winner put Milan at the summit of the table 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 increased their lead at the top to four points over champions PSG with a comfortable 3-0 success at eighth-place Toulouse, who were clearly hampered 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 Share Your Matchday Experience Heading to a Premier League match today? Maybe you've embarked on an adventurous journey to the Africa Cup of Nations? Share your predictions and stories with us.
Preamble Good morning. It’s … (checks diary) … 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. Nevertheless, for many out there, this is the final weekend of the holiday so a perfect opportunity to head to the match. That quartet of Premier League offerings includes Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest at half past twelve while, kicking off at the same time, we have the not-so-small issue of an Old Firm derby. One with particular intrigue given the current chaos at Celtic. In the evening at half past five, leaders Arsenal travel to a Bournemouth side who can’t win anymore but are still able to produce thrilling stalemates 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 reached the last 16 of Afcon. Senegal v Sudan at 4pm and Mali v Tunisia at seven o'clock keep the fun flowing. As usual with matchday live, we’re keen to hear from you so hit us with comments and emails. Attending a match today? 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. I think we can all agree that the caramel version is nowhere near as good. Alright, let’s get this weekend started!
A Fan's Epic Journey An early contender for longest traveller. Christer Aakeroy emails this: “Having travelled over 4,400 miles from Manhattan, Kansas (yes, it’s known as the ‘Little Apple’) to watch my beloved Seagulls, I really hope that they live up to their undoubted potential and bring plenty of cheer and happiness to the Amex this afternoon.” Brighton host Burnley (three o'clock) so statistics suggest a positive outcome, 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 defeat in August 2013. They’ve never lost at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League (W2 D4).
A Full Slate of Minute-by-Minute Action For fans of live text commentary, we offer extensive coverage. And more! 12.30pm Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest – Sarah Rendell 12.30pm Celtic v Rangers – me, David Tindall 5.30pm Bournemouth v Arsenal – Barry Glendenning Additionally, live updates from the 3pm EPL games will be provided by Billy Munday in his clockwatch while Dominic Booth will cover the opening Afcon knockout matches (4pm and 7pm kick-offs). 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 Here are some key European scores from Friday. 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 marked his comeback with the opening Serie A strike of the new year. His 50th-minute winner put Milan at the summit of the table 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 increased their lead at the top to four points over champions PSG with a comfortable 3-0 success at eighth-place Toulouse, who were clearly hampered 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
Share Your Matchday Experience Heading to a Premier League match today? Maybe you've embarked on an adventurous journey to the Africa Cup of Nations? Share your predictions and stories with us.