The Premier League schedule on Sunday, 1 February 2026, features a full afternoon of high-profile fixtures as the English top flight moves deeper into the second half of the season. Four matches are set to be played across England, with three kicking off simultaneously at 14:00 ET and a headline evening contest starting at 16:30 ET. The fixtures bring together clubs with contrasting objectives, ranging from European qualification ambitions to crucial mid-table and survival battles.
With the league table typically tightening at this stage of the campaign, every point on offer carries added importance, particularly as clubs begin to balance domestic priorities with cup competitions and player fitness management.
Afternoon Fixtures Highlight Mid-Table and European Races
At Villa Park, Aston Villa host Brentford in a fixture that has grown increasingly competitive in recent seasons. Aston Villa, under sustained investment and tactical stability, enter the match aiming to maintain pressure on the European qualification places. Brentford, known for their data-driven recruitment and compact playing style, will be targeting a disciplined away performance, with set-pieces and transitional play likely to be key factors.
Elsewhere, Manchester United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford. Manchester United traditionally view home fixtures against mid-table opposition as must-win encounters, particularly during the business end of the season. Fulham, however, have established themselves as a resilient Premier League side capable of frustrating possession-dominant teams through organised defensive structures and quick counter-attacks.
The third 14:00 ET kickoff sees Nottingham Forest take on Crystal Palace at the City Ground. Both clubs are often closely grouped in the league standings, making this a fixture with potential implications for lower mid-table positioning. Nottingham Forest’s home form has been a defining element of their Premier League campaigns, while Crystal Palace typically rely on athletic wide players and quick attacking transitions to influence away matches.
Tottenham and Manchester City Headline the Evening Slot
The standout fixture of the day takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Tottenham Hotspur face reigning title contenders Manchester City at 16:30 ET. This matchup regularly carries significant weight in the Premier League title race and the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Manchester City arrive with a reputation for controlling matches through possession, positional play, and squad depth, while Tottenham’s approach at home often emphasises tempo, pressing intensity, and direct attacking movement. The tactical contrast between the two sides has made this fixture one of the league’s most anticipated in recent seasons.
Context Within the 2025–26 Premier League Season
With February marking a critical phase of the Premier League calendar, the outcomes of these fixtures are expected to influence momentum heading into the final third of the season. Squad rotation, injury management, and tactical adaptability are all likely to play decisive roles across Sunday’s matches.
As the league progresses toward its closing months, the 1 February 2026 fixture list encapsulates the Premier League’s competitive depth, offering simultaneous battles across different sections of the table and reinforcing why Sunday afternoons remain central to English football’s weekly rhythm.