It’s that exciting time of the year again when the football season is close to reaching its climax and there are big clashes almost every week. The next few months will see title rivals challenge and close neighbours battle for the spoils in the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup. There are even a few compelling clashes in Spain and beyond.
If you want to look at the odds of upcoming matches — coming thick and fast from February to June — take a look at the best UK betting sites. You might even get a bonus or promotion to make your money go further. Below, we explore nine upcoming football matches you don’t want to miss.
Manchester City vs Liverpool
Liverpool is currently clear at the top of the Premier League and will take one step closer to the title if they can beat an out-of-sorts Man City at the Etihad Stadium on 23 February. This is usually a top-of-the-table clash. However, City has had a season to forget, slumping to numerous defeats domestically and in Europe.
City boss Pep Guardiola made several high-profile signings in the January transfer window. He will be hoping new attacker, Omar Marmoush and prolific striker Erling Haaland can dent Liverpool’s momentum. Arne Slot’s side has lost just once in the league at the time of writing. They are also keeping their nearest challengers, Arsenal and Notts Forest, at arm’s length.
Newcastle United v Notts Forest
Nottingham Forest is this year’s surprise package in the top flight. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side has ripped up the form book to climb to third in the table. A strong defence and prolific Chris Wood have been key to their success this term. Forest is now in the running for a Champions League spot and will face a key rival in Newcastle United on 23 February.
Newcastle travels to the City Ground stadium in fine form after recently advancing to the League Cup final with a superb 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal. Striker Alexander Isak will be key to their late season challenge for elite European football next season.
Preston North End v Burnley
The fifth round of the FA Cup will see Lancashire rivals Preston North End and Burnley do battle at Deepdale. Both teams will be confident of advancing, though Burnley is in better form and in contention for automatic promotion from the Championship. After winning two games to get to this stage, Preston and Burnley will be eyeing a potential quarter-final in the biggest domestic cup competition.
Manchester United v Arsenal
Manchester United versus Arsenal used to be the biggest game of the season in the 2000s when managers, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger were in their prime. While it doesn’t quite hit the same now due to United’s long-running struggles, the clash could define each side’s late season form.
Arsenal still harbours hope of a title, despite trailing Liverpool in second place. United is eager to show they can still mix it with the best under new boss Ruben Amorim. The latest meeting at Old Trafford on 9 March is not one to be missed.
Atlético Madrid v Barcelona
In Spain’s La Liga, there is a three-way battle for the title. Real Madrid leads the way at the time of writing, but Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are hot on their heels. Under the guidance of long-time boss Diego Simeone, Atletico has performed superbly thus far to keep pace with their more illustrious rivals. Their home clash with Barcelona could be season defining.
Barca had a blistering start to the season under Hansi Flick, but a series of surprise defeats saw them drop back to third in the table. They are only a few points adrift of the leaders though, and they will believe a win at the Metropolitano in mid-March could pave the way for a late-season surge.
Newcastle United v Liverpool
The League Cup final between Newcastle and Liverpool at Wembley promises to be a memorable occasion. Both teams will go in confident of securing the first trophy of the season. Newcastle might need it more though as they last won silverware way back in 1955. They will be hoping stars Isak and Anthony Gordon overturn a strong Liverpool side featuring Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk, among others.
Liverpool v Everton
Another hurdle Liverpool will need to clear is the final Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield. Everton looks resurgent under new manager David Moyes, who replaced Sean Dyche at the helm in January. The Blues went on to win their first three games with him in charge to pull themselves clear of relegation trouble.
Liverpool is the clear favourite with home advantage but a local derby is always a great leveller. The two clubs have met 244 times in history, with Liverpool leading the head-to-head with 99 wins. Expect another football classic when Everton travels to their near neighbours on 2 April.
Manchester United v Manchester City
Another local derby between the two great Manchester clubs takes place in early April. City has been the dominant force in English football during the last 10 years, but they haven’t had it all their own way in this fixture. United secured a surprise FA Cup win in the final against City last year and came from behind to defeat their rivals 2-1 at the Etihad in December.
City has improved since a winning just twice in 14 matches in all their competitions late last year. They will be confident of triumphing at Old Trafford again, with United going through their own struggles and mired in the bottom half of the table.
Barcelona v Real Madrid
The final ‘El Clásico’ of the season in the league takes place in early May at the Nou Camp. Barcelona ran out shock 4-0 winners in the reverse fixture at the Bernabéu back in October. Star striker Robert Lewandowski scored twice in 180 seconds as Hansi Flick’s side opened up a six-point lead at the top. However, a few struggles since then have blown the La Liga title chase wide open.
With Real also in the running for Spain’s top prize, expect to see more fireworks and many twists and turns during the 90 minutes in Madrid. This is definitely one contest not to miss.