This Week in Sport
The first full week of January brings with it some amazing sport. On Monday, there’s a high-flying clash in the NBA as the Detroit Pistons host the New York Knicks. On Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes face the Dallas Stars in the NHL. On Wednesday, the knockout stage of the United Cup begins. That’s followed by a huge Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool on Thursday. On Friday, Cameroon take on Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The fantastic action continues at the weekend. On Saturday, the Chicago Bears take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Playoffs. and on Sunday, Bordeaux Bègles host Northampton Saints in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
NBA: Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks
Monday 5th January 12:00AM GMT (6th)/7:00PM Local
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
The Detroit Pistons host the New York Knicks in the NBA at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The Pistons are currently the top team in the Eastern Conference, and look like the franchise’s best shot at a Championship since 2004. However, the wear and tear of the long season has started to effect them, and they enter this pivotal match-up nursing several key injuries and a 2-3 record in their last five games. Meaning this could be a huge opportunity for the Knicks, who are just 3 games behind Detroit in the standings. However, like their opponents, the Knicks’ recent form has been mixed. Furthermore, the Knicks have struggled away from Madison Square Garden, while Detroit have one of the best home records in the league. The Knicks need to beat Detroit to close the gap in the standings, but also so that they can snap a three-game losing streak. Despite both teams’ recent struggles, this match-up still provides an unmissable clash between superstars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson.
NHL: Carolina Hurricanes v Dallas Stars
Tuesday 6th January 12:00AM GMT (7th)/7:00PM GMT
Lenovo Center, Raleigh
The Carolina Hurricanes host the Dallas Stars in the NHL at PNC Arena in Raleigh. The Hurricanes sit atop the Metropolitan Division to start the week, but have quickly found themselves in a situation where every game is a must-win, as the gap between first and fifth is just five points. Losing three of their last four games hasn’t done them any favours. Despite having six players with double-digit goals on the season, the Hurricanes need to find a go-to scorer rather than scoring by committee. Meanwhile, the Stars find themselves in a pitched battle for position in the Central Division. A lengthy losing streak of their own saw them lose ground on the division-leading Colorado Avalanche, and if they can’t find wins soon, they might quickly lose sight of their fellow second-placed team, the Minnesota Wild, too. While the Stars have some of the best players in the league, only having four players with more than ten goals on the season is really starting to hurt the team’s chances. This should be an exciting game.
ATP and WTA Tour: United Cup - Quarterfinals
Wednesday 7th January 2:00AM GMT/10:00AM Local
Perth Arena, Perth
The United Cup continues at the RAC Arena in Perth, before the tournament fully moves to Sydney, for its conclusion. This thrilling joint venture between the ATP and WTA reaches the knockout stage, with the first two Quarterfinals taking place on Wednesday. The first Quarter-final will see the winner of Group A - the United States - against the best runner-up in the Perth bracket, which could mean Great Britain, Greece, Argentina, Italy, or France. Meanwhile, Switzerland, the winners of Group C, will face the winner of Group E - Greece or Great Britain – in the second Quarter-final. Led by Belinda Bencic and Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss are looking strong in this tournament. While the full match-up details will be decided at the start of the week, there will be plenty of stars facing off for fans to enjoy. The tournament continues throughout the week until the Final on Sunday in Sydney.
Premier League: Arsenal v Liverpool
Thursday 8th January 8:00PM GMT/8:00PM Local
Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal host Liverpool in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium in London. Arsenal continue to lead the Premier League, holding a six-point lead over Manchester City after the first fixtures of the new year. The Gunners have won seven in a row in all competitions and have outscored their opponents 7-3 in their last two outings. Furthermore, Arsenal has not lost at the Emirates since May 2025. Meanwhile, Liverpool, one of the few teams to beat Arsenal this season, enter this match-up in fourth place. The Reds are undefeated since late November and, while a title defence appears out of reach, will be determined not to let Arsenal off easily. Hugo Ekitike has emerged as the team’s signing of the season and will look to add to his impressive goal tally against the Gunners. Liverpool has lost just once in their last seven meetings with Arsenal, can they continue that trend?
Africa Cup of Nations: Cameroon v Morocco
Friday 9th January 7:00PM GMT/8:00PM Local
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Cameroon face Morocco in the Quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Cameroon had little trouble dispatching South Africa in the Round of 16, with a 2-1 win seeing them through to this stage of the competition, the first time the five-time champions have reached the Quarterfinals since 2021. They have their eyes firmly set on the future, and their first title since 2017. However, they will have to overcome hosts Morocco, who are seeking their first AFCON title since 1976. A goal from Golden Boot leader Brahim was enough to see the Atlas Lions past knockout stage debutants Tanzania. Cameroon and Morocco have only met twice in the last eight years, with Morocco winning both matches in a combined scoreline of 6-0. Can the hosts continue their recent run of form against the traditional continental powerhouse and put themselves 90 minutes away from the Final? The Round of 16 continues to start the week, with the winner of this match facing Algeria, DR Congo, Nigeria, or Mozambique in the Semifinals.
NFL: Chicago Bears v Green Bay Packers
Saturday 10th January 1:00AM GMT (11th)/7:00PM Local
Soldier Field, Chicago
The Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Wild Card Round at Soldier Field in Chicago. Another chapter of this heated rivalry will be written in this game. The 11-6 Bears, coming off their first division title since 2018, make their first Playoff appearance since 2020. First-year head coach Ben Johnson has formed an instant connection with quarterback Caleb Williams and engineered a remarkable turnaround for the team. Now the storied franchise aims for its first Playoff win since 2011. Meanwhile, the Packers will look to snap the four-game losing streak that ended their season and saw them lose the division title to the Bears. They will attempt to win their first Playoff game since the 2023 season, as they open the playoffs as the NFC’s seventh seed for the third consecutive season. These two teams split their regular-season meetings, but who will come out on top when it matters most?
European Rugby Champions Cup: Bordeaux Bègles v Northampton Saints
Sunday 11th January 3:15PM GMT/4:15PM Local
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
Bordeaux Bègles host Northampton Saints in the European Rugby Champions Cup at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux. These two undefeated sides clash for control of Pool 4, and an all-but-guaranteed place in the knockout stage. Both teams flaunt high-scoring attacks, two of the top three in the tournament, making for a fascinating match-up. Bordeaux has struggled to prevent scoring in their first two match-ups, giving up 33 points to the Bulls and 21 to the Scarlets. However, their stars, headlined by Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Matthieu Jalibert, have seen them succeed so far. Meanwhile, led by the tournament’s top try scorer, George Hendy, Northampton have found a much better balance of attack and defence, giving up only five points to the Bulls, and holding Pau to 27. However, will they be able to stifle the Bordeaux’s lineup successfully? This is a rematch of the 2025 FInal, which Bordeaux won 28-20.
Photo by: Arsenal
Written and information correct on 5th January 2026 at 6AM GMT.
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