The excitement of 2026 kicked off with a packed schedule featuring England’s top teams this weekend.
This Sunday promises thrilling matchups across both the Premier League and Championship.
As the UK gears up for an action-packed afternoon, here are some highlighted betting tips for the day.
Sunday, January 4th
BST 12:00 Sheffield United vs Oxford United
Although Sheffield United has faced challenges at the start of the 2025/26 season, Chris Wilder’s squad has lately shown marked improvement.
After kicking off the new year with a solid 3-1 win against Leicester, the Blades are aiming high. They ended 2025 on a high with a notable 2-1 victory over Stoke and have claimed three wins from their last four Championship matches.
Sheffield has a strong home record, highlighted by a recent 3-0 win against Birmingham, and is currently unbeaten in six home games (four wins, two draws), including a dominant 3-0 victory over Portsmouth.
It’s worth noting the Blades have found the back of the net in home matches only twice in the last two months.
While Oxford pulled off a surprising 2-1 win against Southampton last month, it seems to have provided only a brief boost to their season.
Caretaker manager Craig Short faces significant pressure after a 2-1 loss to promotion hopefuls Ipswich earlier this week. Despite a three-point cushion from the relegation zone, Oxford has struggled, losing four of their last five matches, including a recent home match against Swansea.
Oxford’s away form has drawn concern, especially noting their challenges over the past few weeks. They have also suffered three consecutive defeats at Bramall Lane, with a cumulative score of 8-1.
Betting Tip: Thomas Cannon 0.5 Shots on Target @ 19/20
15:00 Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle is eager to establish reliability following their recent 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Burnley.
Manager Eddie Howe is under pressure as his team starts the year in the lower half of the Premier League table.
Despite winning only three of their last eight games, Newcastle has remained strong at home. They are unbeaten in their last ten encounters at St James’ Park, with an impressive record of eight wins and two draws, although they did draw 2-2 with Chelsea recently.
This robust home run has included victories over notable teams like Manchester City and Tottenham, giving them hope of re-entering European competition.
Crystal Palace, while still in the upper half of the Premier League, has struggled recently, going winless in their last six matches across competitions. Their opening game of 2026 resulted in a disappointing draw against Fulham, and they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Leeds last month.
Under Glasner, the team hasn’t kept a clean sheet domestically in a month, including a 3-0 loss to Manchester City. Concerns escalate as they prepare for another away match on Tyneside, only two months after a 5-0 victory at Newcastle.
Betting Tip: Newcastle Win @ 7/10
15:00 Norwich City vs Stoke City
Philippe Clement, having been at Norwich for less than two months, is enjoying a positive period as manager.
Following an impressive 2-1 victory at QPR earlier in the week, Norwich aims to solidify their Championship status as they look to build on this momentum.
With their goal difference keeping them in the relegation zone, the Canaries strive to make a statement this Sunday.
Norwich has enjoyed a successful patch recently, with only one loss in their last six Championship games. Their resurgence includes a notable 2-1 upset against promotion contenders Southampton.
After a rough home match that resulted in a 1-0 loss to Watford, the team has shown solid improvement since early November.
Stoke’s campaign has been tumultuous as they searched for stability, claiming a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull to start the year. However, their playoff hopes have diminished, reflected in their recent performance dipping towards the bottom of the table.
Robins’ side has won only two of their last eight matches since November 25 and has struggled away from home, suffering four losses in their last five matches, including a recent 4-0 defeat at Bramall Lane.
Stoke’s poor historical record at Carrow Road compounds their troubles, with losses in their last four visits by a total of 12-4.
Betting Tip: Josh Sargent 0.5 Shots on Target @ 1/2
Your Sunday Accumulator:
- Sheffield United vs Oxford United – Thomas Cannon over 0.5 shots on target @ 19/20
- Newcastle vs Crystal Palace – Newcastle win 7/10
- Norwich City vs Stoke City – Josh Sargent, 0.5 shots on target @ 1/2
Place £10 on Vegas Land accumulator and, if all your predictions are correct, you could pocket a substantial return.
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If they want to keep up in an increasingly competitive league, fans should monitor these games closely. The results could significantly impact league standings and player confidence as the season progresses.
