Football fans across the United Kingdom are facing a weekend of uncertainty and frustration as a fierce cold snap has swept through the country, causing widespread disruption to the fixture calendar. While many lower-league and non-league matches have succumbed to the icy grip of winter, one of the most anticipated Premier League clashes—Leeds United versus Manchester United at Elland Road—remains scheduled to go ahead, at least for now.
The Met Office has issued amber and yellow weather warnings for large swathes of the UK, with temperatures plunging to minus one degrees Celsius and below. Snow and ice have blanketed pitches from Scotland to the south coast, leaving groundstaff and club officials scrambling to protect playing surfaces and ensure the safety of players and fans alike. Despite their best efforts, the elements have proven too much for many venues outside the top flight.
Among the most high-profile casualties is Notts County’s Sky Bet League Two showdown with Gillingham, which was set for Sunday but was called off after a pitch inspection early Saturday morning. In a statement released on their website, Notts County explained, “Sunday’s Sky Bet League Two fixture against Gillingham has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. With freezing temperatures last night and forecast again for tonight, frost sheets were applied to the pitch immediately after our New Year’s Day match against Accrington Stanley and an EFL-appointed official was booked to conduct a preliminary inspection this morning. Despite our best efforts, the pitch has frozen and, with temperatures remaining very cold between now and kick-off, the match has been postponed. All tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date. No refunds can be processed until this date is confirmed.”
Brackley Town’s National League match with Rochdale, scheduled to be played at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium, was also postponed after groundstaff documented the frozen conditions despite having covered the pitch since Tuesday. Aldershot Town’s clash with Solihull Moors suffered a similar fate following a pitch inspection at 8:30am, but fans can take solace in the fact that the fixture has already been rescheduled for January 10.
Elsewhere, the cold snap showed no mercy. Boreham Wood’s highly anticipated top-of-the-table duel with York City in the National League was axed 24 hours in advance due to a frozen playing surface. Scunthorpe United’s fixture with Sutton United, Chorley’s home game against Leamington, Alfreton Town versus Hereford, and Hornchurch against Salisbury all fell victim to the freezing temperatures and failed pitch inspections. Even north of the border, the Scottish League Two contest between Stirling Albion and Annan Athletic was postponed, illustrating the nationwide impact of the adverse weather.
Despite the chaos in the lower leagues, the Premier League is, for now, standing firm. Manchester United’s trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Sunday at 12:30pm remains on the schedule. The conditions in Leeds are forecast to be challenging, with highs of 3°C and lows dipping to -2°C, but crucially, no yellow warning is currently in effect for the area. This has given the green light for the fixture to proceed as planned, much to the relief of both sets of supporters.
Manchester United, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table, will be looking to capitalize on their positive momentum under manager Ruben Amorim. The Reds have recorded eight wins, six draws, and five losses at the halfway point of the season. A victory at Elland Road could see United climb as high as fourth, depending on how Liverpool fare against Fulham and the outcome of Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea.
However, United are not without their challenges. Key players Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui remain absent due to their commitments at the Africa Cup of Nations, forcing Amorim to shuffle his squad. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Amorim acknowledged the threat posed by Leeds: “They have a lot of pace sometimes we struggle with pace. They are confident but we proved we can win any game in any situation, in every context, so we will try to do that again. We know they change the system, they have different players in front. The last game they rotated two players [Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor] that usually are the starters. So they have good players, good manager, great environment so it is going to be a tough game.”
Amorim also touched on the intense rivalry between the two clubs: “I heard it is a big derby, a great environment, big rivalry but every game in the Premier League is so tough so it is one more game. I know it means a lot to the fans but we need to go there and try to win.”
Leeds United, meanwhile, are navigating a precarious position in 16th place, seven points above the relegation zone. Yet, the Peacocks are in fine form, unbeaten in their last six matches with notable victories over Chelsea and Crystal Palace, and hard-fought draws against Liverpool, Brentford, and Sunderland. Manager Daniel Farke is relishing the occasion and the challenge it presents. “For everyone who is connected with Leeds United, it is a special game. We always have a chance and we will try our very best also to fulfil the dreams of our supporters. We have fought so hard over the last two years to be back on Premier League level to have these types of games and especially also, of course, this fixture. We want to show our strength and our skills again and if we do so, then together with our supporters, then we also will have a chance,” Farke declared earlier this week.
As the Premier League continues largely unaffected, the broadcasting landscape is also shifting. Sky Sports has announced an expanded offering for the 2025/26 season, broadcasting over 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL, and more. In a move sure to delight armchair fans, at least 215 live Premier League games will be shown, an increase of up to 100 more than previous seasons. Sky has even slashed prices on its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, making it easier than ever for fans to follow the action from the warmth of their homes.
While the lower leagues and non-league teams will have to wait for a thaw to resume their campaigns, Premier League supporters are holding their breath as the big games proceed. With the cold snap showing no immediate sign of relenting, everyone involved in the beautiful game will be keeping a close eye on the skies—and the thermometers. For now, the stage is set at Elland Road, and anticipation is building for a fixture that could have major implications at both ends of the Premier League table.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes turn to Leeds, where the drama of English football is set to play out against a backdrop of winter’s chill. The match is on—for now—and both teams are ready to brave the elements in pursuit of vital points.