The 2025-26 season now enters the deciding stage with April being the penultimate month of the campaign. A lot of nail-biting fixtures both at domestic and European level are stored this month which will be season defining. As usual, the Premier League will dominate the roster of exciting fixtures including the nerve wrecking title decider and several key top-four battles. The Champions League will also come with its own charm of fascinating quarterfinal ties, reigniting historic rivalries.
Here are the top games to watch in April 2026:
Manchester City vs Liverpool (FA Cup Quarterfinal) - 4 April 2026
The first big game on the football calendar in April 2026 after the final international break of the season is the pulsating 2026 FA Cup quarterfinal between Manchester City and Liverpool with the former hosting the matchup at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola's men showed that not being at their best doesn't warrant anyone to sleep on them as they triumph over favourites Arsenal 2-0 in the League Cup final to clinch the first silverware of the season and give out a clear statement. They remain in the hunt for a domestic treble after suffering elimination from the Champions League which will be fitting following a trophyless season last time and their revolutionary Spaniard coach heavily rumoured to leave his role this summer. The side have progressed from all eight FA Cup quarterfinals in the last since the former Barcelona boss took charge in 2016 giving them further motivation to pursue their dream, winning another cup competition and this tournament again after 2023, having reached the final in the last three editions.
Liverpool won't be happy to allow that so easily having defeated their rivals four times in this tournament including a 3-2 victory in the semifinals of the 2022 edition which they won, their last FA Cup success. However, the Reds are nothing like that of last season as the Premier League winners have fallen a cliff in the title defence and are scrambling to book a top four spot to claim Champions League football next season. The inconsistent form remains the main headache for the side having won just twice in all competitions last month. Still, Arne Slot's men remain in the hunt for silverwares this season
having stayed alive in Europe unlike their opposition and will play PSG after this encounter. The FA Cup also doesn't look to be an easy prize to play for with Arsenal and Chelsea remaining in the competition should they progress to the semifinals defeating City on 4th April 2026 which will be a colossal task in itself. Especially when the opposition is coming off a motivating League Cup final and have done the double against them in the league for the first time since 1936-37.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona (La Liga 2025-26) - 5 April 2026
Before facing each other in a pulsating quarterfinal tie in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid will take on Barcelona in the La Liga game at the weekend. These two have produced entertaining encounters over the last two campaigns and their face-off comes at a crucial juncture of this season as well. Barcelona will look to go seven points clear at the top of the table with a victory in this fixture just as they did in the reverse clash to go one step further in their title defence, carrying an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
However, they will be visiting Los Colchoneros at the Wanda Metropolitano for the clash where they suffered a historic 4-0 thrashing in the semifinal first leg of the Copa del Rey which eventually helped the host qualify for the final. Something similar will help Diego Simeone's side leapfrog Villarreal to the third spot and send an early statement ahead of their European battle with Hansi Flick's side. The Catalan giants will be aware of the fact that their away form has not been the best, with all four losses coming on the road, but would be fearless with their aggressive risky football, hoping to make a goal fest again.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich (Champions League 2025-26 Quarterfinal) - 8th & 16th April 2026
One of the all-time Champions League fixtures in the competition history, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will meet in an enthralling quarterfinal clash in this season's competition. They are meeting for the first time after a season where the Los Blancos made a sensational turnaround in the second leg of the semifinal tie at Santiago Bernabeu back then on course to lift their 15th title, something Alvaro Arbeloa's side will want to repeat here. The side stunned Manchester City in the Round of 16 when the Premier League giants were a slight favourite to progress to remind everyone that they are the team for the competition. Beating another title favourites in Bayern Munich will only elevate their chances of an European crown again having won this fixture 13 times without losing a single of this meeting since the 2011-12 season.
However, this Bayern side has been a whole different material in the second season under Vincent Kompany, demolishing opponents at will like the 10-2 aggregate win over Atalanta in the quarterfinal stage and losing just two games in all competitions all season. Their incredible frontline of Luis Diaz, Michael Olise and Harry Kane has terrorized defences and beating Real Madrid to keep their hopes of winning a first Champions League title since 2020 alive will be a statement, regardless of the struggles of Los Blancos overall, because of the pride and prestige. They will want to stay unbeaten in the Spanish capital to do the job done at home in the second leg but the team hasn't won this fixture home or away for 13 years. The Bundesliga giants are also sweating on the fitness of their star striker Kane who will be a massive doubt for the first leg.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid (Champions League 2025-26 Quarterfinal) - 9th & 15th April 2026
Regardless of the league result at the weekend, this game on the Champions League stage will be a completely fresh one between the sides as the stakes will be different. The first leg will be at Camp Nou where Barcelona has been the strongest, losing only to holders PSG at home this season. They have also defeated Atletico twice this season at the venue, a 3-1 league win and a 3-0 victory in the second leg of the Copa del Rey that almost overturned their huge first leg deficit. Their frightening frontline also engineered a 7-2 victory over Newcastle United in the previous stage so they will want to finish the job early in front of their home fans although Raphinha's injury is a concern.
However, Barcelona also won at home in the previous two Champions League meetings having star led teams back then as well but they were still eliminated due to Diego Simeone side's valour in the second legs at Madrid. Something they showed to the Catalan giants already with that humbling in the Copa del Rey tie and could show again in the league outing prior to this fixture. Having the reverse leg at home again could be reminiscent of the past with the side also showing attacking flair, especially this year, unheard of a Simeone led side. While Barca eyes consecutive semifinal appearances, Los Colchoneros aim for a first since the 2016-17 season.
PSG vs Liverpool (Champions League 2025-26 Quarterfinal) - 9th & 15th April 2026
Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool will face each other in the knockout stage of the Champions League for consecutive seasons after the high-voltage Round of 16 meeting last year, with the tie being played in the quarterfinals this time. The Parisians overcame the Reds’ challenge back then after overturning a 1-0 home loss to win 1-0 at Anfield, tied on aggregate and then triumphing on penalties to go through. It kick-started a memorable run for the Ligue 1 giants, who went on to win their first European trophy after years of disappointment. While Luis Enrique’s side has not been at their brilliant best all time this season, their 8-2 victory over another Premier League side Chelsea showed they can successfully defend their honor.
Although Liverpool will seek revenge for their elimination last time, they are in a far worse condition now with this competition the only two prizes they are fighting for if they haven't faced elimination at the hands of Man City in the FA Cup quarterfinals before this tie. The Premier League winning side got beaten by Enrique's men back then so it will be no short of an immense effort to overcome their challenge with a struggling unit. Their 4-0 win over Galatasaray at Anfield to qualify for the last eight gives motivation to do it in the second leg but their away form keeps their toes for the visit to Paris. Fans could only hope they eliminate the holders to make it to the semifinals for the first time since they won the competition in 2019.
Chelsea vs Manchester City (Premier League 2025-26) - 12 April 2026
Chelsea's hope of finishing in the top four might lie on the result they take in the two fixtures against both Manchester clubs this month, having suffered elimination from the Champions League, welcoming the pair at Stamford Bridge. The Blues will take on Manchester City first on 12th April, a fixture they haven't won at home since May 2021. Another poor result here will jeopardize matters further after suffering defeat in four games in a row in all competitions, pending their quarterfinal tie against Port Vale, having also not scored in the last three. Two of those defeats came in the Premier League, against Newcastle at home and Everton away, the latter being a 3-0 thrashing. The club is also plagued with internal disputes with Enzo Fernandez suspended for this fixture after publicly indicating a move away from the club. Liam Rosenior's side are already six points out of a Champions League spot so they cannot lose further.
But they are facing Manchester City at a bad time. Pep Guardiola's men have rekindled their title hopes by defeating table toppers and favourites Arsenal in the League Cup final ending their run of just winning in all competitions in the month before the showpiece. This is not a new situation for City as they have proven before making comebacks from the most difficult situations to win the title. The side will not want to sacrifice their momentum again with winning the FA Cup tie against Liverpool before their visit to London fueling their motivation. City are nine points away from catching Arsenal with a game in hand so a victory will be necessary here before facing the Gunners in the title decider next. However, the side haven't won in the league since defeating Leeds at the end of February. Star striker Erling Haaland's lack of scoring touch in front of goal will also be a concern in the long run so it won't be a better time to end all those unwanted streaks.
Chelsea vs Manchester United (Premier League 2025-26) - 19 April 2026
Manchester United will be the next side visiting the Stamford Bridge with Michael Carrick's team very much in the running to return to the Champions League next season, a stark contrast to the host. The Red Devils are placed third on the table with a six point advantage, winning seven of the 10 games under the new management and losing just once. That defeat did come in an away game to Newcastle with a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium before the international break leaving the side without a win on the road since a 1-0 win against Everton. That will be a concern for Carrick who won't be satisfied with anything other than a victory against a top six side.
Having beaten Aston Villa, Manchester City and Arsenal already in their turnaround after Ruben Amorim's departure will only increase the Red Devil's confidence. Host Chelsea might sense an opportunity here after staying unbeaten in this fixture since 2020, winning the last two games at Stamford Bridge. However, they are a different kind of situation now with poor form and dressing room disputes to manage at the same time. Manchester United will be arriving in this fixture after playing against Leeds United in the Roses rivalry, who are battling relegation, while the Blues face a tough test against top spot chasers Manchester City so both are expected to face intense fixtures.
Manchester City vs Arsenal (Premier League 2025-26) - 19 April 2026
The biggest game in the Premier League calendar will also be staged this month as second placed Manchester City welcome league leaders Arsenal at Etihad Stadium for the title deciding clash on 19 April 2026. The tone of the fixture has rapidly changed after Guardiola's men beat Arsenal convincingly in the League Cup final which was their statement in showing that they are not out of the title race completely. They sit nine points away from first place with a game in hand so beating the table toppers again in the league battle this time will change the complexion dramatically. City have tricky fixtures leading up to the clash with Chelsea to face at Stamford Bridge before welcoming the Gunners at Etihad and after taking on Liverpool in the FA Cup. However, with both sides struggling massively and Guardiola's side having no European football headache to balance, they could be at their best position for this meeting.
Neither the Cup final loss or City's revival is an indication to hit the panic button for Arsenal as destiny remains firmly on their hand to finally end their long 22-year wait for the Premier League title. It's true that Mikel Arteta's men did not turn up as expected in the loss at Wembley, missing out on the chance to rubber stamp their title credentials by winning a silverware for the first time since 2020 and keep their hopes for a quadruple. However, the Gunners could not be in a better position to fulfil their dream with the main prize, according to their season objective, in sight and if they fluff a nine points advantage, they have only themselves to blame. Having fluffed a couple of title chases, it will be truly disappointing if they don't win it again especially with far less competition this time. Taking City lightly again will be detrimental, considering they haven't won at Etihad since 2015, while balancing Champions League football at the same time is a significant challenge but the Gunners have to achieve their target by hook or crook to etch their name forever.
