{"id":390826,"date":"2026-01-04T10:02:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T10:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/390826\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T10:02:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T10:02:13","slug":"premier-league-buildup-efl-postponements-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live-soccer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/390826\/","title":{"rendered":"Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live | Soccer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Afcon? So where are we? We\u2019re in the last 16 although only 14 teams are still standing after the first two knockout ties. Jonathan Wilson is in Morocco and reports on Tunisia somehow crashing out against 10-man Mali. Elsewhere, Senegal came from behind to beat Sudan 3-1.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As for today\u2019s matches, the hosts are in action in the early game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">16:00 Morocco v Tanzania<br \/>19:00 South Africa v Cameroon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">For some insight on those two games, check out Osasu Obayiuwana\u2019s tie-by-tie analysis.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a37568f085ed25e9e35ff#block-695a37568f085ed25e9e35ff\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a004.57 EST<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">An email about today\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/premierleague\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Premier League<\/a> games\u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Sam Jones writes: \u201cMorning David. Regarding PL predictions for today\u2019s fixtures, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if we saw a clean sweep of home wins. They all seem set up pretty nicely.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">12:30 Leeds v Man Utd<br \/>15:00 Everton v Brentford<br \/>15:00 Fulham v Liverpool<br \/>15:00 Newcastle v Crystal Palace<br \/>15:00 Tottenham v Sunderland<br \/>17:30 Man City v Chelsea<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It\u2019s certainly not beyond the realms with Man Utd and Liverpool failing to convince in recent times. Both go up against teams who are pretty decent at home. Do we trust Spurs though?!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a36258f083c44d70df3bd#block-695a36258f083c44d70df3bd\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Have you played On the Ball \u2013 our new football game exclusive to the Guardian app? The daily puzzle involves guessing the identity of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/premierleague\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Premier League<\/a> footballers, past and present.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">My score \u2026 I fluked it a bit this time due to the answer being a player I was a big fan of. My score of 65 puts me in the top 10% of players today apparently. Better than yesterday\u2019s abysmal effort with Emile Heskey.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a34bb8f087b8b68f60d95#block-695a34bb8f087b8b68f60d95\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The League Two programme has been hit by a number of weather-related postponements today. Five matches have been called off so don\u2019t head to any of these.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Bromley v Oldham<br \/>Harrogate v Swindon<br \/>Notts County v Gillingham<br \/>Salford City v Shrewsbury<br \/>Walsall v Fleetwood<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a323f8f087b8b68f60d8b#block-695a323f8f087b8b68f60d8b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Paris Saint-Germain beat the rest of Europe last season but today it\u2019s finally about local bragging rights as they stage the first Paris top-flight derby for 36 years. Paris FC were promoted last season and are doing okay, sitting 14th in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/ligue1football\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ligue 1<\/a>. However, this game has probably come at the wrong time. Paris FC have picked up just two points from their last three games while PSG went into the winter break showing an uptick in form. They still trail Lens but victory today will seem them pull to within a point of the leaders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The match kicks off at 19:45 GMT. Oh, and it\u2019s Luis Enrique\u2019s 100th domestic game in charge of PSG.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a2e9f8f083c44d70df3a9#block-695a2e9f8f083c44d70df3a9\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Doncaster v Luton off<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Doncaster have announced their Sky Bet League One clash with Luton has been postponed because of a partially frozen pitch at the Eco-Power Stadium. Second-bottom Doncaster announced on Saturday a pitch inspection would take place around 8:30am on Sunday morning, with frost sheets and lighting rigs used this week to offset the cold weather.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">However, despite \u201cextensive efforts\u201d to get the game on, Rovers announced it had been called off and a rearranged date will be announced in due course.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a2d0f8f083c44d70df3a5#block-695a2d0f8f083c44d70df3a5\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a004.32 EST<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Europe now, starting with a round-up of Saturday\u2019s action. Barcelona are now seven points clear in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/laligafootball\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">La Liga<\/a> while there was an unusual amount of media interest in Strasbourg v Nice? Why? The hosts are managed by Liam Rosenior, the man heavily linked with the vacant Chelsea job.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As well as being a Belle and Sebastian song, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TsWxRPcvP5I\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jonathan David<\/a> is now in the unfortunate group of players who have fluffed a Panenka penalty. His mishap cost Juventus victory in a 1-1 home draw with struggling Lecce.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a2b3f8f085ed25e9e35d2#block-695a2b3f8f085ed25e9e35d2\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A quick look at today\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/premierleague\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Premier League<\/a> fixtures. Plenty of intrigue in that lot. Predictions?<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">12:30 Leeds v Man Utd<br \/>15:00 Everton v Brentford<br \/>15:00 Fulham v Liverpool<br \/>15:00 Newcastle v Crystal Palace<br \/>15:00 Tottenham v Sunderland<br \/>17:30 Man City v Chelsea<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a29c98f083c44d70df39b#block-695a29c98f083c44d70df39b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Time to cast our eyes to the Championship where there\u2019s (nearly) a full programme. Leicester host West Brom on Monday night but everyone else is in action today and one of the three 12pm kick-offs features runaway leaders Coventry. It\u2019s a spicy one as Frank Lampard\u2019s men are away to Birmingham in a Midlands derby. The hosts are down in 17th but in the mad world that is the Championship, Birmingham are only nine points adrift of the play-off spots. Coventry have lost just one of their last 10 games against Birmingham although they did lose this fixture 3-0 last season.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a272b8f087b8b68f60d5c#block-695a272b8f087b8b68f60d5c\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">How about some league tables to give that all a bit of context and see how the land lies ahead of today\u2019s action. It\u2019s looking good for Arsenal while West Ham fans will surely be clogging phone-in lines today. Are you a Hammers fan with something to say? Get in touch!<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Is this now a genuine three-horse title race in Scotland? Hearts have a healthy six-point lead although they were hardly convincing when scoring a 1-0 home win over bottom club Livingston yesterday.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a255b8f085ed25e9e35c1#block-695a255b8f085ed25e9e35c1\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There was plenty of drama on Saturday so let\u2019s check in with that first. Arsenal shipped a daft early goal at Bournemouth before hitting back to win 3-2 and extend their lead at the top to six points. With Manchester City hosting Chelsea in today\u2019s 5.30pm kick-off, Aston Villa jumped to second with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">At the bottom, there were crazy scenes as Wolves picked up their first win of the season \u2013 and in some style \u2013 with a 3-0 victory over reeling West Ham. More routine was Brighton\u2019s 2-0 home win over strugglers Burnley.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In Scotland, Wilfried Nancy still has a job it seems although the pressure ramped up further on the new Celtic boss after a 3-1 home defeat to Rangers in the Old Firm derby. That\u2019s six defeats in eight matches for the Frenchman.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Some reports:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695a218e8f085ed25e9e35b6#block-695a218e8f085ed25e9e35b6\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Morning everyone. If you\u2019ve got up to watch the cricket and not been able to get back to sleepy times, you\u2019re in the right place!<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Yes, we\u2019re building up to quite the day. The beauty of a rather limited <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/premierleague\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Premier League<\/a> schedule on a Saturday is a bumper programme for Sunday. We have six top-flight games to get stuck into, starting with a 12.30pm kick-off between those fierce northern rivals Leeds and Manchester United.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Perhaps you\u2019re going to a game, or maybe this is one final day of excess on the sofa, polishing off the Christmas chocolate. Either way, get in touch \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/mailto:matchday.live@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link \" https:=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">matchday.live@theguardian.com<\/a> &#8211; and let us know your thoughts and predictions. We\u2019re all about the interaction.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">We\u2019ll also be reflecting on some dramatic action from Saturday and looking ahead to more last-16 ties at Afcon and some big action around Europe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It\u2019a s busy one. Let\u2019s kick this into gear right now!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Premier League buildup, EFL postponements, Afcon last 16 and Paris derby \u2013 matchday live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/live\/2026\/jan\/04\/premier-league-buildup-efl-afcon-last-16-and-paris-derby-matchday-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-695520bb8f085ed25e9e19ab#block-695520bb8f085ed25e9e19ab\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Afcon? So where are&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":390827,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[563],"tags":[64,63,596,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-390826","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/390826","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=390826"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/390826\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/390827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=390826"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=390826"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=390826"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}