From the Champions League final in Paris to FIFA World Cup in Qatar: the year 2022 has beyond any doubt been full of amazing and fascinating football matches. While fans all around the world are enjoying the most prestigious and anticipated football event in the world, January is already packed with some thrilling games.
As the current year coming close to its end and 2023 is days away, here is the absolute right time to get to know the most exciting football fixtures that are set to take place in the first month of the new year.
TOP 10 exciting football matches to watch in January 2023
10. Arsenal vs Newcastle
Stadium: Emirates
Date: 03/01/2023
Kick-off time: 7 pm GMT / 8 pm CET
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Image source: Getty Images
The Premier League leaders are set to host third-placed Newcastle United in their first match of the new 2023 year. Both sides have started their campaign in sensational form and are serious contenders in the title current race.
The teams have faced each other 48 times before. The Gunners won 32 direct matches, meanwhile, the Magpies managed to take advantage six times, with 10 matches ending up in a draw.
9. Inter Milan vs Napoli
Stadium: San Siro
Date: 04/01/2023
Kick-off time: 7:45 pm GMT / 8:45 pm CET
Image source: Getty Images
Inter Milan are scheduled to host Serie A leaders Napoli as their opening match of January 2023. Nerazzurri are currently standing fifth in the domestic league with 30 points and an even point gap behind Luciano Spalletti's side.
The Italian giants played 38 matches so far. Inter won 13 matches, and Gli Azzurri took 14 victories, while, 11 matches ended in a draw.
The clash will take place at San Siro stadium at 8:45 pm CET.
8. Chelsea vs Manchester City
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Date: 05/01/2023
Kick-off time: 8 pm GMT / 9 pm CET
Image source: Chelsea FC
Chelsea are set to host Manchester City on the 19th matchday of the Premier League on January 5. The Blues are currently sitting in 8th in the league table, 16 points behind the leaders Arsenal. Pep Guardiola's side, meanwhile, stand at second place with 32 points.
Both teams faced each other a total of 20 times in the Premier League. The North Londoners won seven of those, City won 12 and one ended in a draw.
In November the sides met in the Carabao Cup, where the Manchester giants were the better side, defeating GRaham Potter's men with the score of 2 - 0.
7. AC Milan vs Roma
Stadium: San Siro
Date: 08/01/2023
Kick-off time: 7:45 pm GMT / 8:45 pm CET
Image source: Milan FC
We are set to witness another thrilling Serie A clash as AC Milan are scheduled to host Roma in Serie A's matchday 17 on January 8.
According to their head-to-head record across the 26 games between the teams, the Milan giants have triumphed ten times while the capital side won eight matches. The other eight finished a draw.
Therefore, the side are set to meet each other in their 27th clash on January 8 at San Siro Stadium to decide if Roma could step closer to Rossoneri's achievement or will Stefano Pioli's men extend their victory streak.
6. Napoli vs Juventus
Stadium: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
Date: 13/01/2023
Kick-off time: 7:45 pm GMT / 8:45 pm CET
Image source: Getty Images
The competition between Italian giants Juventus and Napoli had come from historical regional rivalry between Northern Italy and Southern Italy, of which the clubs represent: Turin and Naples.
Gli Azzurri, the leader of Serie A, will host Massimiliano Allegri's team on January 13, who are currently standing third in the domestic table with a ten-point gap behind Napoli.
The Diego Armando Maradona stadium should be packed on Friday, 2023, to enjoy the rivalry between two major cities and clubs.
5. Manchester United vs Manchester City
Stadium: Old Trafford
Date: 14/01/2023
Kick-off time: 12:30 pm GMT / 1:30 pm CET
Image source: Getty Images
Each footballing country has its unique rivalry and Manchester Derby is undoubtedly one of the most iconic ones in the whole of football history.
Both sides have been facing each other for almost a century with the first game being played in 1881. Since then, 188 games have been marked between the Manchester giants in all competitions, with the Red Devils winning 77, City winning 58, and the other 53 games ending in draws.
As the rivalry continues, Erik ten Hag's men are scheduled to face Pep Guardiola's City in Premier League's game week 20 on January 14, 2023.
Ahead of the clash, United are standing fifth in the domestic league, while, the Cityzens sit at second with a five-point gap behind the league leaders Arsenal.
4. Tottenham vs Arsenal
Stadium: Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium
Date: 15/01/2023
Kick-off time: 4:30 pm GMT / 5:30 pm CET
Image source: Reuters
Another great football derby between the two most successful London teams in history. The rivalry between the two sides started in 1913 when Arsenal moved to Highbury, a few miles away from Spurs' home ground White Hart Lane.
The Gunners are currently in sensational form standing at the top of the league with 37 points, Antonio Conte's side, meanwhile, sit in fourth at the table.
In the 191 games that have been played between the two teams, Mikel Arteta's side have won 80 times with Tottenham triumphing 61 and the remaining 50 have ended in draws. The last meeting took part at the Emirates Stadium on October 1st where the Gunners won by the score of 3 - 1.
3. Liverpool vs Chelsea
Stadium: Anfield
Date: 21/01/2023
Kick-off time: 12:30 pm GMT / 1:30 pm CET
Image source: Getty Images
Liverpool vs Chelsea is one of England's modern rivalries. In the Premier League, the two clubs have met 21 times before, the Reds have won seven of them, the Lodnonders, meanwhile, have been advantaged ten times and the remaining two finished as draws.
European giants are scheduled to meet on matchday 21 at the Anfield Stadium.
2. Arsenal vs Manchester United
Stadium: Emirates
Date: 22/01/2023
Kick-off time: 4:30 pm GMT / 5:30 pm CET
Image source: Getty Images
English Premier League fans are set to enjoy January as the month is fully packed with exciting matches between massive teams. And Arsenal vs Manchester United is one of those.
The league leaders are set to host the Manchester giants, currently standing fifth in the table. The Gunners are enjoying one of the most successful campaigns of the club's history, the Red Devils, meanwhile, are going through rollercoaster moments. Erik ten Hag's side recently terminated the contract of the club's superstar Cristiano Ronaldo following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
Therefore, the sides will meet on January 22 at the Emirates Stadium, which is set to be the 237th in total between both teams.
1. Atheltic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
Stadium: San Mamés Barria
Date: 22/01/2023
Kick-off time: TBD
Image source: Getty Images
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club or simply ‘El Viejo Clasico’, is one of the most played matches between two La Liga sides.
The last meeting between both sides was in Copa Del Rey on February 3, 2022, where the Basque side took a narrow 1 – 0 at San Mames Stadium.
Bonus
Spanish Super Cup: Semifinals and Final
Image source: Spanish Football Federation
Spanish Super Cup will be played in Riad from January 11th until January 15th. The semifinals are scheduled to play on January 11 and 12, and the final, meanwhile, on Sunday 15.
Real Madrid (La Liga champion) will face Valencia (Copa Del Rey finalist), with Betis (Copa del Rey champion) are set to meet FC Barcelona ( La Liga runner-up).