Greetings and welcome to the first TLFG piece of 2026 - Happy New Year to you all.
I hope the festive period was good for you. I got to go to a sum total of zero games as I worked most of it.
A costly boiler repair means I had to work a night shift on New Year's Eve and means I'm going in again shortly, on Sunday night, for some more overtime.
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| Tickets are available for this big derby |
Consequently, I've only managed some previews for the early part of the week but I have Monday off to try and add some more (update - previews are now available up to Friday).
Freezing weather has hit London over the last few days and it's likely to have an impact on other games, particularly at non-league level, as the week progresses so check if games are on before you travel.
THE WEEK AHEAD
The Premier League tops the bill this week but it's also the Third Round of the FA Cup which sees all the remaining lower league teams go into the draw with the biggest clubs in the land.
At non-league level, it's also the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy - a weird bit of scheduling alongside the FA Cup but there are also games in all the other leagues at this level.
In the women's game, the Women's Super League returns from its winter break with Arsenal hosting Manchester United at the Emirates on Saturday being the highlight.
As always, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or the venue or kick-off time has changed - this is highly possible for some of the lower non-league clubs and development matches. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.
Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.
Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.
It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.
MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Tuesday fixtures - green pin
Wednesday fixtures - turquoise pin
Thursday fixtures - purple pin
Friday fixtures - black pin
WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
TLFG DAILY DIGEST
In the following section, I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.
Monday 5 January
CCL Division 1
RB Kensington v Hillingdon Borough @745pm - there's only scheduled to be one game on Monday but with temperatures remaining low, it's unlikely to go ahead. If it does, RBK need a win to get out of the relegation zone. Although in the bottom two, they've got games in hand on all those immediately above them. Hillingdon are bang in the middle of the table but lost 1-0 in the reverse fixture in August. RBK have no online presence so check Hillingdon's social media updates for whether the game is on or not. Tickets should be around £7-8 on the gate MATCH OFF
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Tuesday 6 January
Premier League
West Ham United v Nottingham Forest @8pm - these two are in bad way right now. The Hammers suffered the ignominy of becoming the first team to lose to bottom club Wolves on Saturday. They're in the bottom three, four points adrift of safety and nine without a win - it looks really bleak. People were singing Sean Dyche's praises just before Christmas but a disastrous festive season has seen them lose four in a row and now sit just above Forest in the table. It's a huge game for both. Tickets
Premier League International Cup
West Ham United v Anderlecht @7pm - if you can't afford Premier League prices then you could watch the Hammers' U21s instead. We're still in the group stage at the moment. Sadly, it seems West Ham's youngsters are even worse than the senior team. Currently bottom of their eight-team group with zero points, they have to win or they'll go out. This is being played at Dagenham & Redbridge and admission should be around £5
National League South
Enfield Town v Hampton & Richmond Borough @745pm - in north London we have another relegation six-pointer between two of the bottom four. Hampton saw their game postponed on Saturday whilst the Towners travelled down to Hampshire and lost 3-2 to AFC Totton, to go bottom of the form table. Five points adrift of safety, they really can't afford to lose this. Tickets MATCH OFF
Isthmian League South Central
Raynes Park Vale v Leatherhead @745pm - game of the day in the eighth tier takes place at Grand Drive. RPV are often among the leading group but come into this in ninth. Their form has been iffy recently but won 3-2 against Metropolitan Police on Saturday. Here they welcome the leaders who have only lost two league games and have a big FA Trophy match to look forward to at the weekend. With the sides also on the same train line about 25 minutes apart, there's a bit of a derby flavour to this too. Tickets are £10 on the gate MATCH OFF
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Wednesday 7 January
Premier League
Brentford v Sunderland @730pm - it's a big night of Premier League football with three games on in London. The Bees continue to go from strength to strength with Sunday's 4-2 win at Everton firing them up to seventh and taking them to third in the London club rankings. The Black Cats drew again at Spurs to slip just below Brentford on goal difference - a draw looks like the most likely outcome here. Tickets are only available to members but some hospitality options look like they could be available but you have to login for more info and I don't have time for that right now
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa @730pm - the Eagles are experiencing a bit of a slump at the moment with Sunday's loss at Newcastle making it five without a win. The same can't be said of Villa who responded to their humbling loss at Arsenal by beating to Nottingham Forest to stay third, moving level on points with Manchester City. Although the hosts' form is poor, they're unbeaten in six against Unai Emery's team and seem to know just what to do to beat them. Incredibly rarely for a Palace home league game, tickets are on sale to non-members
Fulham v Chelsea @730pm - the game of the night is this west London derby at Craven Cottage as two of the closest neighbours in the Premier League meet for the second time this season. Historically, the Blues have utterly dominated these matches with Fulham winning only three of the 37 league matches played between them since 2000. However, two of those have come in the last three years. Marco Silva's side are also in good form with their draw against Liverpool at the weekend making it five without defeat. This match is also taking place at a time when Chelsea have just sacked their manager and, at the time of writing, have yet to announce a replacement. Interim boss Calum McFarlane saw his side grab a very decent draw at Manchester City on Sunday so he seems a capable replacement for now. Tickets, albeit very pricey, are available in the new Riverside Stand
Premier League International Cup
Chelsea v Benfica @7pm - at Kingsmeadow, the Blues' U21 side are in action against Portuguese opposition. Like West Ham, they've also lost both of their games so far and are bottom of their group. From my understanding of the rules, I think they're already out but defeat will definitely kill them off. Tickets are £4
Isthmian League South Central
Kingstonian v Ascot United @745pm - the top level non-league match of the night can be found at Grand Drive. The K's have struggled in this eighth-tier division this season and are in the bottom four. Three points adrift of safety, they do have two games in hand so they've got a chance. Ascot are in midtable so are beatable. Tickets are £10 on the gate
Essex Senior League
SOUL Tower Hamlets v Buckhurst Hill @745pm - leaders Little Oakley play on Tuesday night against STH's co-groundsharers Sporting Bengal United. If they drop any points, STH will go top if they win this. Although in midtable, the visitors managed a very dramatic 2-2 draw when they played back in July and they're also top of the current form table so this could be some game. Tickets MATCH OFF
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Thursday 8 January
Premier League
Arsenal v Liverpool @8pm - the Emirates would appear to be the place to be on Thursday as the reigning Premier League champions travel to the current leaders. The Gunners had a good festive period and are now six points clear at the top. Although the visiting Reds are unbeaten in eight, they've drawn four of those games and seem very very unlikely to retain their title. Liverpool won the reverse fixture 1-0 in August but haven't won a league game here since 2022. Tickets are only available to members but hospitality is available from £1,225
FA Youth Cup Fourth Round
Watford v Charlton Athletic @7pm - if a four-figure sum to watch football doesn't seem like good value to you, then you could head to Vicarage Road instead for this U18 game. The Addicks won 3-2 at Liverpool in the last round so that makes them favourites for me. Tickets
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Friday 9 January
Premier League 2
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion @7pm - there's a bit more development football for you to enjoy in this U21 league at the beginning of the weekend. I say 'enjoy' but neither of these sides have been particularly impressive this season. There are 29 teams in this competition - the Gunners are 15th and the Baggies 27th. This is being played at Boreham Wood and admission is often free but be prepared to pay a few quid just in case
Isthmian League Premier
Cray Wanderers v Aveley @745pm - we've an unusual bonus double bill of games in this seventh-tier division on Friday. First up is this mouthwatering game between two of the top six. With three wins from four, London's oldest club are up to fourth. However, the visitors are looking even better. Without a league loss since the 15 September, the Millers are sixth but have games in hand on all of those above them. I have to caveat this by saying they have another match before this on Tuesday at leaders Folkestone, who were the last side to beat them. If they win in Kent, they'll go above Cray into fourth and make this game even bigger! Tickets
Hashtag United v Dartford @745pm - in the other game at Parkside, we have a match which affects both ends of the table. The Tags are in the bottom four but four points from their last two games has given them a real chance, with only goal difference keeping them in the relegation zone. The Darts, on the other hand, are in the top six and right in the mix with Aveley and Cray Wanderers so need to win to stay in the play-off race. Tickets are £12 on the gate
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Saturday 10 January
FA Cup Third Round
Boreham Wood v Burton Albion @3pm - one of the last non-league clubs left in the competition, The Wood have become regulars at this stage. With four appearances since 2021 and a run to the Fifth Round in 2022, they know what it takes to make an impact. Well in the hunt for the National League title, they're in great form and League One strugglers Burton have real reason to fear their trip to Meadow Park. Tickets
Fulham v Middlesbrough @3pm - both of these sides have been to the final during my lifetime but neither won and it's been a long time since either were there. As the Premier League side, the Cottagers should start as favourites but Boro are second in the Championship and have a chance. Tickets
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa @545pm - two of the most successful clubs in FA Cup history meet at the THS. With 20 final appearances and 15 wins between them, these clubs are competition royalty. Again, it's been a long time since either won but on current form, Villa must be favourites to progress. Tickets are only available to members and their guests
Charlton Athletic v Chelsea @8pm - the day finishes with a classic FA Cup contest with a lower division club hosting one of the biggest clubs in the land. To top it all, it's a London derby. The Addicks made the final two years in a row just after World War Two and won one of them. The Blues have made 16 finals and won eight.The odds look stacked against the hosts but it's a period of upheaval for Chelsea with Liam Rosenior coming in as new boss during the week and they're winless in five. Tickets are only available to members
League One
Leyton Orient v Cardiff City @3pm - the O's are in a bad way. With four defeats from five and only eight wins all season, the east London club are just a point above the relegation zone. It's not going to get any easier here as Cardiff are top. When the sides last met in October, the Bluebirds claimed the points, winning a thriller 4-3. Tickets
Women's Super League
Arsenal v Manchester United @1230pm - the women's top flight returns with this big match at the Emirates. Given the tiny margins in this division, the fact these sides are third and fourth but pretty much out of the title race already tells you a lot. Realistically, finishing third and claiming a Champions League spot is probably the most realistic target for these two. Tickets
National League
Sutton United v York City @3pm - back in the men's game, we have a match of huge importance at either end of the table. The U's are winless in three and in the relegation zone but only on goal difference so a point will be really valuable. Getting it will be tough though as the Minstermen are only three points off the top with two games in hand. Tickets
FA Trophy Fourth Round
Wealdstone v Dagenham & Redbridge @3pm - in an unusual bit of scheduling, it's the next round of this FA competition too. This one is exclusively for teams in the fifth to eighth tiers. The Stones won this way back in 1985 and haven't been back to Wembley since. The Daggers made it in 1997 but lost to Woking. Now a division below the hosts, D&R will start as underdogs. Tickets
Hornchurch v AFC Telford United @3pm - the Urchins caused a massive upset by winning this in 2021 while still a seventh-tier team. Promoted to the National League South since then and among the frontrunners this season, I have them as favourites against midtable opposition from the parallel National League North. Tickets
Walton & Hersham v Brackley Town @3pm - when it comes to seventh-tier teams who have a shot, the Swans are definitely right up there. Currently top of the Southern League Premier South, W&H stuffed Sutton United 4-1 in the last round and picked off sixth tier Farnborough the round before that. The Saints are towards the wrong end of the fifth tier so are vulnerable but won the FA Trophy in 2018 so have some pedigree in the competition. Tickets
Isthmian League Premier
Carshalton Athletic v Folkestone Invicta @3pm - in the seventh and eighth tiers, a number of divisional leaders are in town on Saturday. The Robins are struggling towards the relegation zone and could end up in the bottom four if they lose. Kent club Folkestone have opened an 11-point lead at the top but have lost their last two. Tickets
Isthmian League South East
Beckenham Town v Three Bridges @3pm - the Becks have been a bit of a boom/bust club over recent seasons - either challenging for promotion and titles or struggling badly. Sadly, this is another season of struggle. Second from bottom and with two wins from their last 10, they're six points from safety. Sussex club Three Bridges, who play near Gatwick Airport, are top with an eight-point lead and look like strong favourites here. Tickets should be around £10 on the gate
Southern League Division 1 Central
Rayners Lane v Leighton Town @3pm - as I understand it, the Lane received a big cut to their funding for this season and have struggled badly as a result. Like Beckenham, they're second bottom in this eighth-tier division too. The visitors are five points clear at the top but are under pressure from Hitchin Town who are second and in better form. Tickets should be around £10 on the gate
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Sunday 11 January
FA Cup Third Round
West Ham United v QPR @230pm - the game of the day is this derby at the London Stadium. As we all know, the Hammers are having a terrible time in the Premier League. Many feel that the R's, from the Championship, could be the latest to heap humiliation on them. QPR's fans certainly have faith, buying up their entire 9,000 allocation in just eight minutes. They were similarly hopeful last season when they travelled to struggling Leicester City but lost 6-2. You also have to factor in that the west Londoners have THE worst record of any club in the Third Round, losing over 50 times at this stage. It could be a cup classic or the moment West Ham kickstart their season. Tickets in the home end are available and start from £10
Women's Super League
Chelsea v West Ham United @12pm - with only one win from the four games going into the winter break, the Blues' title hopes took a big hit. Six points adrift of leaders Manchester City, they can't afford too many more slip-ups. They begin the year against a struggling Hammers team who have new boss Rita Guarino taking charge for the first time. As a player she won 99 caps for Italy and as a manager, won the Italian title four times with Juventus. Her last job saw her in the top job at Inter Milan so this is quite a change for the Turin-born coach. This is being played at Kingsmeadow and tickets are available
Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City @12pm - Spurs finished 2025 in an unexpected fifth place, firmly in the race for a Champions League place. A win here against a side in the bottom four will take them into the top three after Arsenal and Manchester United could only draw with each other on Saturday. Both sides have made some moves in the transfer window, with Tottenham legend Ashleigh Neville's move to the Foxes being the most notable. This is being played at Leyton Orient and tickets will be available on arrival
FAWNL Southern Premier
AFC Wimbledon v Oxford United @2pm - after four weeks off, the Dons women were supposed to return to action with this match at Plough Lane last Sunday but the pitch wasn't up to it. It's been re-arranged but it's now at Tooting & Mitcham United's ground. It's been a season of struggle for the south Londoners and with no game last week, Gwalia United's win over Billericay put them back in the relegation zone. Oxford have won their last two league games and beat high-flying Plymouth in the FA Cup in their last game so they head to SW17 in some form. Tickets
FAWNL Division 1 South East
Actonians v Norwich City @2pm - this should have been played before Christmas but the weather intervened. The pitch at Berkeley Fields is still not good enough so the league has allowed the game to be switched back to the A's old home at Rectory Park in Northolt. Norwich are second and seemingly the only side with a realistic chance of stopping Fulham winning the title. They beat Actonians 4-0 in Norfolk on the opening day of the season and although some key players were missing that day and are back now, the hosts will do well to get a point. Tickets
London Bees v Chesham United @2pm - the side best placed to challenge the Canaries for second are London Bees. Third at the time of writing, they should be really confident of picking up three points here. Chesham are bottom and have yet to win a game. This is being played at The Hive complex near Canons Park Tube station. Tickets
GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.
NEED HELP?
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