Top football matches on TV in September 2025

West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday 13th September 2025, 17:30. Channel: Sky Sports Main Event. Competition: Premier League.

A London derby that usually delivers intensity. West Ham under Graham Potter aim for control in midfield and quick punches from set pieces. Tottenham under Thomas Frank want front-foot football, quick combinations through the lines and pressure high up the pitch. The first fifteen minutes often set the tone in this fixture, since transitions arrive quickly and the crowd feeds off them.

Watch for the battle in wide areas, where Spurs full backs step into midfield and West Ham look to spring into the space they leave. If West Ham’s press wins territory early the game can tilt their way. If Spurs settle on the ball and pin West Ham back, the visitors usually carve chances through cut-backs and second phases.

Manchester City v Manchester United

Sunday 14th September 2025, 16:30. Channel: Sky Sports Main Event. Competition: Premier League.

The derby remains a measure of where both teams are. City under Pep Guardiola keep the ball and move opponents until a passing lane opens. United under Rúben Amorim need compact distances without the ball, then speed when they find the first out ball. United's best moments in these games often come from quick, direct runs into space after one clean pass through midfield.

City will try to control the rhythm and squeeze United’s build-up. United will try to make it messy in the middle third and attack the gaps left by City’s aggressive positioning. Small details decide it. One mistimed press, one loose touch, one runner not tracked.

Newcastle United v Barcelona

Thursday 18th September 2025, 20:00. Channel: TNT Sports 1. Competition: UEFA Champions League League Phase.

St James' Park lives for nights like this. Eddie Howe has built Newcastle on intensity, quick regains and direct vertical passing once the ball is won. Barcelona under Hansi Flick lean on rotations between midfield and attack, with full backs stepping inside to keep control. The opening spell is about whether Barça can quiet the crowd and establish passing rhythm, or whether Newcastle make it chaotic on their terms.

Set pieces could be decisive. Newcastle attack dead balls well and Barcelona have to be organised on second balls around the area. If Newcastle turn the game into a sprint, the visitors will need calm heads to ride the waves.

Arsenal v Manchester City

Sunday 21st September 2025, 16:30. Channel: Sky Sports Main Event. Competition: Premier League.

Mikel Arteta against Pep Guardiola has become one of the defining matchups in English football. Arsenal press high with care around the ball and look to create territory down the left. City rotate until the spare man appears, then speed up around the box. Margins are tiny in these games, so the first goal carries extra weight.

The duel in midfield dictates the story. If Arsenal can break City's rhythm and turn possession over in good areas, their forwards will get chances. If City settle and control tempo, they usually create a steady stream of half-chances that wear teams down.

Liverpool v Southampton

Tuesday 23rd September 2025, 20:00. Channel: ITV1. Competition: Carabao Cup Round Three.

Cup nights at Anfield are rarely quiet. Arne Slot may rotate but Liverpool will still press, run and look to score early. Will Still has Southampton playing a possession-first game, which can open paths through pressure or invite dangerous turnovers. The dynamic makes for a good watch on free-to-air television.

Expect Liverpool to force mistakes high up the pitch and try to finish moves quickly. Southampton's route is to pass through the first press and commit numbers forward when the chance appears. If they can survive the early onslaught, the tie becomes interesting.

Newcastle United v Arsenal

Sunday 28th September 2025, 16:30. Channel: Sky Sports Main Event. Competition: Premier League.

Another heavyweight match at St James' Park. Eddie Howe wants duels and energy, Mikel Arteta wants control and field position. Newcastle will test Arsenal in the air and in transitions. Arsenal will try to take the sting out of the game with long spells on the ball and sharp switches of play.

These meetings often swing on which team owns the wide channels. If Arsenal's wingers pin Newcastle back, the visitors can manage the tempo. If Newcastle's press traps bites and the crowd turns it into a surge, Arsenal will have to ride pressure and be clinical when the counter comes.

Everton v West Ham United

Monday 29th September 2025, 20:00. Channel: Sky Sports Main Event. Competition: Premier League.

Goodison under the lights is always lively. David Moyes builds on defensive organisation, direct service to the forwards and strong set pieces. Graham Potter has West Ham looking for control with enough bite in transition to hurt teams. Fine margins again. One set play, one rebound, one clearance missed.

Everton will aim to make the game tight and scrappy, then use the crowd to push them over the line. West Ham will try to keep composure on the ball and pick their moments to accelerate.

Chelsea v Benfica

Tuesday 30th September 2025, 20:00. Channel: TNT Sports. Competition: UEFA Champions League League Phase.

Stamford Bridge stages a European night with plenty to learn. Enzo Maresca wants Chelsea to control games with clean build-up and relentless pressing after loss. Benfica arrive as seasoned operators in this competition and carry a punch on the break. The balance is simple. If Chelsea keep the game in front of them and progress the ball with care, they create chances. If Benfica turn attacks over in midfield, they can force mistakes.

It is a good barometer for where Chelsea are in Europe. The crowd expects a front-foot approach, the opposition will be happy to punish any impatience. One way or another, it should be a proper Champions League tie.

Final word

Different stakes, same appeal. Title tests, derby needle, European drama and a free-to-air cup tie. September on TV looks stacked, so set your reminders and enjoy the ride.