This Week in Sport
Another great week of sport awaits! On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Houston Texans in the NFL Wild Card Round. On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder clash with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. On Wednesday, Chelsea face Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup Semi-final. That’s followed by the start of the Quarterfinals of the Masters Snooker on Thursday, and on Friday, the Carolina Hurricanes meet the Florida Panthers in the NHL.
The weekend is also full of amazing fixtures. On Saturday, the Denver Broncos host the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Divisional Round, and on Sunday, the Final of the Africa Cup of Nations takes place.
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers v Houston Texas
Monday 12th January 1:15AM GMT (13th)/8:15PM Local
Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
The NFL Wild Card round concludes as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Steelers, led by the indomitable Aaron Rodgers, search for their first Playoff win since January 2017. Since that AFC Championship appearance, the six-time Super Bowl champions have gone 0-5 in the postseason. However, the Steelers will host postseason football for the first time since January 2021, and the Yellow and Black are 5-3 in front of the Yinzer faithful this season (or 6-3 if you include their Dublin ‘home’ game). Their opponents are the Houston Texans, who are riding their first twelve-win season since 2012. Behind third-year starter C.J. Stroud, the Texans appear in a third consecutive postseason for the first time in franchise history. While the red-hot Texans enter this match-up as slight favourites, they have not won in Pittsburgh since 2002. Will that change in this exciting game?
NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder v San Antonio Spurs
Tuesday 13th January 1:00AM GMT (14th)/7:00PM Local
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The two top teams in the Western Conference meet for the fourth time this season. The Thunder still sit atop the conference with a 33-7 record, the best in the NBA. However, they must face their kryptonite, as the Spurs are 3-0 against the Thunder, the only team to record multiple wins against the defending champions this season. Despite this, the Thunder enter this match-up on a three-game winning streak. Furthermore, the Thunder are 19-2 at home, giving them plenty of confidence heading into this one. However, as mentioned, if there is any team that can be confident when playing the Thunder, it’s the Spurs. While San Antonio are 2-3 in their last five games, their dominance against the league leaders cannot be overlooked. While Victor Wembanyama leads the team on points, rebounds and blocks, this season, the Spurs boast an incredibly deep roster. However, the question remains - will they be able to continue their seasonal record over the Thunder and move to 4-0 against their conference rivals?
Carabao Cup: Chelsea v Arsenal
Wednesday 14th January 8:00PM GMT/8:00PM Local
Stamford Bridge, London
Chelsea host Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup Semi-final at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea aim to reach their third Carabao Cup Final in the last five editions of the tournament. This will be the first major test for new manager, Liam Rosenior, who will aim to formally begin his tenure with the Blues’ first win over their London rivals since 2021. However, that will be easier said than done against the most formidable Arsenal lineup in years. Arsenal have a six-point lead in the Premier League title race and enter this match on a nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. Despite this, there is the possibility that Arsenal may de-prioritise the Carabao Cup with huge matches against Inter Milan and Manchester United looming. Can Chelsea end their lengthy drought against the Gunners ahead of the return leg in February?
Snooker Majors: Masters Day 5
Thursday 15th January 1:00PM GMT/1:00PM Local
Alexandra Palace, London
The Quarterfinals of the Snooker Masters begin at Alexandra Palace in London. A thrilling edition of the prestigious snooker tournament is well underway. With defending champion, Shaun Murphy, and perennial contender, Mark Selby, both out in the first round, the tournament is wide open. Will reigning world champion Zhao Xintong complete his career Triple Crown? Can Wu Yize or Xiao Guodong continue their runs after defeating Murphy and Selby respectively? Do the early upsets open the door for Kyren Wilson to avenge his runner-up finish last year? With a total of five previous winners still in the tournament, this event is extremely hard to call. The tournament concludes on Sunday.
NHL: Carolina Hurricanes v Florida Panthers
Friday 16th January 12:00AM GMT (17th)/7:00PM Local
Lenovo Center, Raleigh
The Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers in the NHL at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. The Hurricanes will look to extend their lead atop the competitive Metropolitan Division. They enter the week on a four-game winning streak and, with five players boasting more than 30 points on the season, are an exceptionally deep squad as the second half of the season unfolds. Meanwhile, the Panthers are quickly nearing their last chance to challenge for a historic Stanley Cup three-peat. While they are unlikely to continue their dominance at the top of the Atlantic Division, they are just three points out of the Wild Card spots in the Eastern Conference. However, with just two wins in their last six matches, time is beginning to run out for the Panthers to stay competitive in the Playoff race. Can the tandem of Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart power the Panthers to an unlikely victory and keep their playoff hopes alive?
NFL: Denver Broncos v Buffalo Bills
Saturday 17th January 9:30PM GMT/2:30PM Local
Empower Field at Mile High, Denver
The Denver Broncos host the Buffalo Bills at Mile High Stadium in Denver. The Broncos play for their first AFC Championship appearance since the 2015 season, as they host the Bills. 14-3 on the season, and 8-1 at home, the Broncos are one of the most formidable teams left in the Playoffs. Second-year quarterback Bo Nix finished the regular season eighth in passing yards and ninth equal in passing touchdowns, and looks to bring the Broncos a level of success they have not experienced since Peyton Manning was under center. However, they must first overcome Josh Allen and the Bills. This may be the best chance that reigning MVP Josh Allen has to win a Super Bowl in his career, but he will be facing a real challenge in the Broncos. He has already felled one promising Playoff team as he and Buffalo prevailed in a shootout against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Allen is 1-0 in his career against the Broncos at Mile High. Will he add another win in this high-stakes match-up?
Africa Cup of Nations: Senegal v Morocco
Sunday 18th January 7:00PM GMT/8:00PM Local
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
The Final of the Africa Cup of Nations takes place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Four teams remain in the running for Africa’s biggest continental title. Senegal will seek their second title, and their first since the 2021 edition. Egypt, led by Golden Boot contender Mo Salah, are on the hunt for their record-extending eighth title, which would also end a 16-year drought as the continent’s top team. They face each other in Tangier, for a place in the Final, on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen’s Nigeria look for their fourth title and first since the 2013 edition. Finally there is the hosts, Morocco, whose last title came in 1976. Led by Real Madrid’s Brahim, they face Nigeria in Rabat, also on Wednesday.
Photo by: Chelsea FC
Written and information correct on 12th January 2026 at 6AM GMT.
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