With 2026 officially getting underway earlier in the week, we have a stacked New Year schedule from across England’s elite this weekend.
With the action rolling onto Sunday afternoon, we have a string of eye-catching battles from both the Premier League and Championship respectively.
Ahead of a frantic afternoon of English action, we have taken a glance at some of the most eye-catching Sunday betting tips.
Sunday, January 4th
BST 12:00 Sheffield United vs Oxford United
While Sheffield United might have opened up the 2025/26 campaign in the midst of an infamous Championship rut, Chris Wilder’s men have certainly made some serious improvements over recent times.
Last seen getting the New Year underway with a stellar performance as they stormed their way to a dominant 3-1 victory against Leicester, the Blades will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. Signing off 2025 with an eye-catching 2-1 win away at Stoke, Sunday’s hosts have won three of their previous four Championship appearances.
Laying down a real marker last month as they cruised their way to a 3-0 romp against Birmingham, Sheffield United have continued to shine with their performances on home soil.
Including another 3-0 victory against Portsmouth on November 26th, Wilder’s side are unbeaten in their last six consecutive showdowns at Bramall Lane (four wins, two draws).
It should also be highlighted, the Blades have shipped just a pair of strikes in front of their own supporters over the past two months.
Although Oxford might have sprung an almighty upset last month as they snatched a 2-1 victory at home against Southampton, it appears that was just a minor boost for the Yellows.
Last seen getting 2026 underway with a 2-1 loss away at promotion contenders Ipswich earlier in the week, interim boss Craig Short has a major job on his hands at the Kassam Stadium.
Including a 1-0 loss at home against Swansea on December 29th, Sunday’s guests have lost four of their previous five Championship appearances.
Sat three points adrift of safety and widely regarded as a standout relegation contender this year, Oxford have also gained a reputation for their glaring issues on the road.
Along with another 1-0 defeat against Charlton, the U’s have registered just two points from any of their previous six showdowns away from the Kassam Stadium. It’s also worth noting, the Yellows have lost each of their last three straight trips to Bramall Lane by an aggregate score of 8-1.
Betting Tip: Thomas Cannon over 0.5 shots on target @ 19/20
15:00 Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
Making an immediate return to winning ways last time out as they signed off 2025 with a 3-1 victory away at relegation scrappers Burnley, Newcastle will be desperate to find some crucial stability.
Opening the New Year sat in the bottom-half of the Premier League standings, it has been suggested that Eddie Howe has found some serious pressure on his shoulders.
However, while the Magpies might have won just a trio of their previous eight top-flight appearances, the former Bournemouth boss has seen his squad continue to impress on home soil.
Despite being last seen at St. James’ Park suffering a second-half collapse as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against Chelsea, Newcastle are unbeaten in all of their previous 10 showdowns at St. James’ Park (eight wins, two draws).
With that sensational run stemming all the way back to the end of September, Howe’s side have also collected some heavyweight scalps. Securing victories against the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Portuguese giants Benfica, Sunday’s hosts are dreaming of the chance to get their European charge back on track.
While Crystal Palace might still maintain their spot in the top-half of the Premier League table, the Eagles do find themselves in the midst of what has been a recent rut.
Suffering a collapse on home soil earlier in the week as they opened 2026 with a 1-1 stalemate at home against local rivals Fulham, Oliver Glasner’s men have failed to win any of their previous six appearances across all competitions and they are enduring their worst rut of the season.
Slumping to a shock 4-1 loss at the hands of relegation scrappers Leeds last month, Sunday’s guests have also shown some worrying defensive issues.
Including a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss has not seen his squad muster a single domestic clean sheet over the past month.
Pencilled in as a real underdog contender here, Crystal Palace should also be concerned by their most recent trip to Tyneside.
Hit with a 5-0 drumming when they last travelled to St. James’ Park back in October 2025, we are expecting a similar home victory on Sunday afternoon.
Betting Tip: Newcastle win @ 7/10
15:00 Norwich City vs Stoke City
While Philippe Clement might have only arrived in Norfolk less than two months ago, Norwich are certainly enjoying life under the former Rangers boss.
Making an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week as they opened the New Year with an impressive 2-1 win away at QPR, the Canaries have breathed life back into their charge for Championship safety.
Opening Sunday’s showdown at Carrow Road with just their goal difference keeping them in the drop zone, Norwich will be looking to make another statement here.
In fact, the Yellows have lost just one of their previous six Championship appearances and they are enjoying their most fruitful spell of the 2025/26 campaign.
Springing an upset on December 13th as they secured a 2-1 victory against promotion hopefuls Southampton, Clement’s resurgent camp have also registered nine points from their last four battles in Norfolk. It should also be noted, a 1-0 loss against Watford last weekend is the only defeat that Norwich have suffered in front of their own supporters since the start of November.
Claiming what was an essential boost earlier in the week as they opened the New Year with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Hull, Stoke are desperately searching for some recent stability.
Despite flying out of the traps when getting proceedings underway back in August, Mark Robins’ camp have come tumbling down the Championship standings and they have watched their play-off dreams take a major blow.
Signing off 2025 with a 2-1 loss at home against Sheffield United, the former Coventry boss has also seen his squad register just a pair of wins from any of their last eight attempts – a run that stems all the way back to November 25th.
Likewise, failing to register consecutive Championship wins over the past two months, Stoke have also shown some major issues outside of Staffordshire.
Including a 4-0 drumming at Bramall Lane on December 6th, Sunday’s guests have lost four of their previous five showdowns on the road. It should also be highlighted, the Potters have lost all of their last four trips to Carrow Road by an aggregate score of 12-4.
Betting Tip: Josh Sargent over 0.5 shots on target @ 1/2
Our 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 over 0.5 shots on target @ 1/2
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