Soccer TV streaming guide: AFCON knockouts begin, Manchester United and West Ham clash, Milan host Juventus

Only one weekend left of league play before World Cup Qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations take center stage during the international break. But before we get to that, a London Derby headlines action in England as Chelsea and Tottenham square off. Eyes will also be on Manchester United hosting West Ham United in another critical match for Champions League qualification. The round of 16 begins this weekend at AFCON and Nigeria will face Tunisia in what should be an exciting match. We wrap up in Italy as Lazio host Atalanta and AC Milan host Juventus on Paramount+.

Here’s a look at the top five matches to watch this weekend.

5. Lazio vs. Atalanta

Date: Saturday, Jan. 22 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Live stream: Paramount+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Lazio +225; Draw +255; Atalanta +116

Why watch: Ciro Immobile continues his impressive form as he’s tied atop the Serie A top scorers table with Dusan Vlahovic, but Lazio have struggled overall this season and find themselves sitting in eighth place. Atalanta can now feel Juventus breathing down their neck for the fourth Champions League spot and will need to get a result here after only winning two of their last five matches. Considering Lazio’s poor defensive form, this is a game that could easily hit the over on goals.

4. Manchester United vs. West Ham United

Date: Saturday, Jan. 22 | Time: 10 a.m. ET
Live stream: Peacock
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Manchester United -108; Draw +270; West Ham United +280

Why watch: I’m tuning in to see if Anthony Elanga can turn in his third impressive performance in a row, but overall Manchester United have been unconvincing but effective as they sit two points outside of a Champions League place before a crucial six-pointer. Defeating West Ham, the Red Devils could enter the international break in fourth place. West Ham won’t roll over though, as they’ve been one of the most effective teams in the Premier League against the top half of the table, with wins over Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool. The defense will need to improve, as they have allowed multiple goals in three of West Ham’s last five games but Jarrod Bowen and the attack have been humming on all cylinders. 

3. Nigeria vs. Tunisia

Date: Sunday, Jan. 23 | Time: 2 p.m. ET
Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)  
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Nigeria -130; Draw +195; Tunisia +360

Why watch: Nigeria were perfect, winning group D while scoring six goals and only allowing one. Tunisia struggled in group F, only winning one match where they exploded for four goals against Mauritania. As we reach the knockout stages and pressure builds, Nigeria usually shine until reaching the later stages. With ambitions of winning AFCON this year, they will need to see off a Tunisia side that can cause trouble by handling this match professionally. 

2. AC Milan vs. Juventus

Date: Sunday, Jan. 23 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Live stream: Paramount+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: AC Milan +170; Draw +215; Juventus +175

Why watch: After a slow start to the season, Juventus have stormed up the table via steady performances where they control the game from start to finish. Weston McKennie’s performances in midfield have helped, but they’ve gotten contributions from up and down the roster and won’t be slowed down by Paulo Dybala’s contract dispute. Milan have struggled recently but they’ve done well enough to only trail Inter by two points in the race for the Scudetto. If results go their way, Juventus could end the weekend in a Champions League spot which seemed like a pipe dream not too long ago.

1. Chelsea vs. Tottenham 

Date: Sunday, Jan. 23 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
Live stream: Peacock 
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Chelsea -145; Draw +380; Tottenham +400

Why watch: This will be Chelsea and Spurs’ third time facing each other in the last 14 days following Chelsea’s comprehensive victory across two legs in the EFL Cup semifinals. But the Premier League form of the two teams couldn’t be more different as Tottenham are still unbeaten in league play under Antonio Conte following a last gasp brace from Steven Bergwijn bailing them out against Leicester City. Meanwhile, Chelsea are winless in their last four matches as frustration mounts over the performance of their attacking players and the defensive quality of Marcos Alonso. The hope is the Conte will use the Leicester victory as a springboard for securing a top four spot but a trip to Stamford Bridge is still quite the test.

Honorable mentions

(All times U.S./Eastern)

Friday, Jan. 21: A game to watch in … 

• Germany: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Arminia Bielfeld, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
• England: Watford vs. Norwich City, 3:00 p.m (USA and fuboTV — Try for free)    
• France: Olympique Lyon vs. Saint-Etienne 3 p.m. (beIN Sports and fuboTV — Try for free)  
• Mexico: Puebla vs. Tijuana, 10:00 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)
• AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Korea Republic vs. Vietnam 9:00 a.m. (Paramount+)  

Saturday, Jan. 22: A game to watch in …

• England: Leeds United vs. Newcastle United, 10:00 a.m. (USA and fuboTV — Try for free)
• Spain: Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia, 3:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Italy: Inter vs. Venezia, 12:00 p.m. (Paramount+)
• Germany: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Augsburg, 9:30 a.m. (ESPN+)
• France: Brest vs. Lille, 11 a.m. (beIN Sports and fuboTV — Try for free)  
• Portugal: Sporting CP vs. Sporting Braga, 3:30 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)
• Mexico: America vs. Atlas, 10:00 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)

Sunday, Jan. 23: A game to watch in …

• England: Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool, 9 a.m. (Peacock)  
• Spain: Real Madrid vs. Elche, 10:15 a.m. (ESPN+)
• Italy: Empoli vs. Roma, 12:00 p.m. (Paramount+)
• Germany: Bayren Munich vs. Hertha Berlin, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN+)
• France: PSG vs. Reims, 2:45 p.m. (beIN Sports and fuboTV — Try for free)   
• AFCON: Burkina Faso vs. Gabon, 11:00 a.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)  
• Mexico: Pumas vs. Tigres, 1:00 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)    
• AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Iran vs. China, 3:00 a.m. (Paramount+)