20 Biggest Football Matches to Watch in January 2013

The world of football has no time to rest. As we enter the depths of January 2013, it's time to gear up for plenty of important matches.

I've scoured fixture lists from across the globe to outline 20 of the biggest games throughout the month. We've got Premier League crackers, Spanish relegation battles and a smattering of Italian cup football to name a few.

Enjoy the slideshow!

Portuguese Primeira Liga: Braga vs. Benfica

Date: January 27, 2013

Location: Estádio Municipal de Braga, Portugal

Details: Benfica's unbeaten run in the Portuguese top division has seen them burst ahead of champions Porto. With Hulk and Radamel Falcao nothing but a distant memory, many have Benfica nailed down as the next occupiers of the throne.

Braga have a huge opportunity to take points off the current leader. While this is unlikely to push Jose Peseiro's team any higher than third, it will go a long way to cementing a European spot for next season.

Coppa Italia: Fiorentina vs. Roma

Date: January 16, 2013

Location: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence

Details: Fiorentina will fancy an upset against the side from Italy's capital. Recent matches have resulted in plenty of goals being scored, including a 4-2 Roma win back in December.

The hosts currently sit three points ahead of Roma in Serie A, indicating this fixture is far more than a distraction from league proceedings. A victory for either could provide a valuable mental boost heading into the second part of the season.

Ligue 1: Stade Rennais vs. Marseille

Date: January 26, 2013

Location: Stade de la Route de Lorient, Rennes

Details: This year's Ligue 1 title race is extremely exciting. Just behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain is a gaggle of clubs waiting for the loaded giants to slip.

Two of these teams meet at the end of the month. Although the table is likely to look different when the game arrives, Marseille are currently six points ahead of Stade Rennais in fourth. A win either way will give us a clearer view of which French side will be heading into Europe next season.

English Premier League: Arsenal vs. Liverpool

Date: January 30, 2013

Location: Emirates Stadium, London

Details: Both of these teams have plenty to prove in 2013. Arsene Wenger will be confident of outplaying Liverpool—just like the Gunners did in the 2-0 away win earlier this season.

Brendan Rodgers' side have improved since the clash in September—and with a spot of January strengthening—could pose a threat to Arsenal's questionable defence.

English Championship: Cardiff vs. Leicester

Date: January 26, 2013

Location: The Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff

Details: Many teams will be dreaming of Premier League promotion in 2013. Right now, Championship leaders Cardiff City are likely to join fellow Welsh side Swansea City in England's top flight.

Leicester will be looking to grab points off Malky Mackay's men. Currently submerged in a difficult playoff battle, a decent result could push the Foxes back toward the promised land.

La Liga: Barcelona vs. Espanyol

Date: January 6, 2013

Location: Camp Nou, Barcelona

Details: A local derby always excites. Throw in extreme importance at both ends of the table and you have yourself a real humdinger of a fixture.

Tito Vilanova's Barcelona will be looking to extend their lead at the top of La Liga. They host an Espanyol side that seemingly has no chance of snatching a vital result. Goal difference currently place the visitors in the bottom three—surely they can't nick something at Spain's ultimate fortress?

Capital One Cup: Swansea vs. Chelsea

Date: January 23, 2013

Location: The Liberty Stadium, Swansea

Details: Michael Laudrup will be confident of halting Chelsea in the second leg of their Capital One Cup semifinal. If his side avoids a disastrous defeat at Stamford Bridge, this match could be of great importance.

Is Rafa Benitez likely to rest key players? I doubt it. Expect the Blues to strengthen in January and have added firepower by the time this one kicks off.

La Liga: Espanyol vs. Celta Vigo

Date: January 12, 2013

Location: Estadi Cornella-El Prat, near Barcelona

Details: What is a club like Espanyol doing in this list twice? It just so happens Javier Aguirre's side face two important clashes during January. A real six-pointer takes place halfway through the month, as Celta Vigo travel to Catalonia looking to jump clear of their fellow relegation candidates.

The two teams are currently locked on points. How pivotal could this match be come the end of the season?

Portuguese Primeira Liga: Benfica vs. Porto

Date: January 13, 2013

Location: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

Details: Portugal's top two clubs meet in January. A win for Benfica is likely to extend the gap to six points. At this stage in the season, any points gained against Porto seemingly wraps up the crown. Is it really going to be that simple for Jorge Jesus and his players?

English Premier League: Aston Villa vs. Southampton

Date: January 12, 2013

Location: Villa Park, Birmingham

Details: Southampton's recent haul of points will have Aston Villa extremely worried. Paul Lambet's side have played an extra game and are only one point clear of the relegation zone. The new manager's insistence on youth appears to be failing a crowd that is used to always being competitive.

Villa destroyed Southampton 4-1 back in September. This time around three points will seem far more important than they did back then.

English Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United

Date: January 20, 2013

Location: White Hart Lane, North London

Details: Andre Villas-Boas has already beaten Sir Alex Ferguson's men once this season. The 3-2 victory at Old Trafford signalled a turning point for the boss, who was struggling to win over Spurs followers beforehand.

The hosts are likely to be at least fourth by the time this game takes place. White Hart Lane will be confident of clawing more points away from the Premier League leaders. Gareth Bale could once again make all the difference.

Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

Date: January 19, 2013

Location: BayArena, Leverkusen

Details: Aside from Bayern Munich's nine-point lead, the Bundesliga is looking tight this year. Frankfurt's journey to Leverkusen brings together two teams that are within touching distance of a Champions League place. The visitors won the reverse fixture 2-1 back in August and are likely to fancy their chances once again.

Coppa Italia: Juventus vs. AC Milan

Date: January 9, 2013

Location: Juventus Stadium, Turin

Details: Two titans of Italian football clash in the domestic cup early this year. Milan's stuttering season has gained pace recently, even if Massimiliano Allegri's side remain 17 points behind their rivals. With this in mind, the San Siro squad will be motivated to crush Juve's tag as favourites for all domestic trophies.

La Liga: Valencia vs. Sevilla

Date: January 12, 2013

Location: Mestalla, Valencia

Details: It's time Valencia and Sevilla get their acts together. Both sides linger in disappointing league positions. Although Valencia occupy ninth, it appears an extended stay in the Champions League is harming the club's La Liga form.

Sevilla have problems of their own. Michel Gonzalez's side are four points away from entering the bottom three. A loss here will give many teams the opportunity to suck Sevilla further into trouble.

English Premier League: Arsenal vs. Manchester City

Date: January 13, 2013

Location: Emirates Stadium, North London

Details: Arsenal have a decent record against Manchester City in recent memory. Mikel Arteta's goal in the corresponding fixture last season confirmed victory and nearly cost City the title. Back in September, a 1-1 draw at the Etihad frustrated Roberto Mancini's champions.

Will City stutter against the Gunners once more?

Serie A: Napoli vs. Roma

Date: January 6, 2013

Location: Stadium San Paolo, Naples

Details: Napoli and Roma are both searching for a Champions League place. The rivals are separated by two points and meet in early January, ensuring any result is hugely important for the remainder of the season. A victory for the home side would create a comfortable gap of six points.

Whoever takes the spoils should be considered for a push toward second place.

La Liga: Valencia vs. Real Madrid

Date: January 20, 2013

Location: Mestalla, Valencia

Details: Valencia's challenging month continues against Real Madrid. This is one fixture Jose Mourinho will be wary off, especially at the Mestalla. Can Roberto Soldado and friends secure three points in front of their own fans? If they do, Madrid's assault on second will falter massively.

La Liga: Malaga vs. Barcelona

Date: January 13, 2013

Location: La Rosaleda Stadium, Malaga

Details: Malaga's ascension as La Liga's surprise package seems to keep on rolling. Recent victory over Real Madrid reinforced the credentials of the side that is currently taking the Champions League by storm.

Can Manuel Pelligrini's team keep this going against Barcelona? Although expectations will be low, a win against the Catalan machine will put immense pressure on Real Madrid.

English Premier League: Chelsea vs. Arsenal

Date: January 20, 2013

Location: Stamford Bridge, London

Details: Chelsea haven't played consistently well against the elite teams at Stamford Bridge this season. Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City have all earned points during their visits to the capital.

Even so, a resurgent Blues side will be confident of overcoming Arsenal. Arsene Wenger's men have a difficult month and could be tired by the time this one arrives.

English Premier League: Manchester United vs. Liverpool

Date: January 13, 2013

Location: Old Trafford, Manchester

Details: English football's most bitter rivalry resumes on January 13. Manchester United go into the clash seven points clear of Manchester City and will need a win to keep the pressure on their rivals. As we've already seen, an away trip to Tottenham follows this game for Sir Alex Ferguson's team. Three points is absolutely vital.

Brendan Rodgers will take his team to Old Trafford with confidence. The reverse fixture was predictably close at 2-1 earlier in the season, as was the corresponding score last year. Expect lunging tackles, relentless attacking play and plenty of drama.

Which matches are you looking forward to watching? Let me know in the comments section below and be sure to follow me on Twitter:

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