Manchester United have some ground to make up despite seeing Premier League results go their way on Sunday afternoon - including another defeat for Tottenham.
26.01.2022 - 17:11 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The Premier League is currently on a 15-day non-traditional international break as nations around the world catch-up on World Cup qualifiers that were postponed due to COVID-19.
This is the fourth break of the season meaning five pauses will be held during the 2021/22 season - the second time this has happened after the same instance occurred in the 2019/20 season.
Players from South America, North America and Asia have jetted off to represent their countries as they push for qualification for December’s Qatar World Cup.
The Africa Cup of Nations is now in its knock-out stages this international period but UEFA nations, including England, are not taking to the pitch this month meaning most of their players can have an unusual mid-season rest.
However, there is still one Premier League match taking place next weekend (February 5) when Burnley welcome Watford to Turf Moor as they play catch-up on top-flight games themselves.
The Clarets, bottom of the table, have played the least amount of matches so far this season (18) having had a number of games fall foul of Covid. This encounter has already been postponed twice this season.
That will be the only fixture in the league between now and Tuesday, February 8 with Fourth Round FA Cup fixtures due to commence on Friday, February 4.
It will mark a busy week for returning players, with further Premier League fixtures resuming the following weekend on February 12.
The exception is Chelsea, who only return to league action on February 19 due to them competing in the postponed 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.
The final international in-season break will take place in March when European nations compete in World Cup play-offs.
Already-qualified England take on the Czech Republic and
Manchester United have some ground to make up despite seeing Premier League results go their way on Sunday afternoon - including another defeat for Tottenham.
Manchester City remain at the Premier League summit with Liverpool and Chelsea trailing behind.
Following the closure of the January transfer window, Man City will be hoping to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League table this weekend.
Southampton have been handed a huge selection boost ahead of their Premier League game against Manchester United on February 12.
Roberto Mancini has explained how he managed to 'change the situation' at Man City while manager.
Deadline day has now been and gone, the January transfer window is now closed.
With Manchester City's draw against Southampton last week the door has been left slightly ajar in the Premier League title race.
Steve Talboys was a former Premier League footballer who died suddenly when he was on holiday in Spain with his family two-and-a-half years ago.