AFCON 2025 stakes: Which Premier League sides will feel the squeeze?
We’re barely into the thick of the 2025/26 campaign and already the plot twists are flying in. Title hopefuls trying to keep their noses clean, strugglers scrapping for every point — and now the African Cup of Nations rolls back into town to test squads and managers to the limit. The headline acts will be there in Morocco, with stars like Mohamed Salah set to chase continental glory, while Premier League bosses shuffle the pack and pray for clean bills of health.
If you’re weighing up the winter picture — fixture congestion, rotation roulette, and who has the depth to survive — this is where the margins matter. As ever, those scanning the best betting sites for clues should remember that AFCON timing, squad depth and fixture lists can swing a title race or a relegation scrap in a heartbeat.
When is AFCON 2025?
The tournament cuts right through the festive programme. Group games run from 21 December to 31 December, the last 16 from 3–6 January, quarter-finals on 9–10 January, semi-finals on 14 January, and the third-place match and final on 17–18 January. In short: a meaty chunk of the Premier League calendar, plus FA Cup, Carabao Cup and European ties.
Who’s likely to feel it most?
On early evidence, Crystal Palace and Burnley look the most exposed. Palace could lose a full quartet across the pitch, while Burnley are set to wave off three — including their clutch forward. Everton’s double Senegal call-up bites into their steel and spark, Brighton will badly miss their midfield engine, and Brentford are without two physical presences who make them such awkward customers. By contrast, Arsenal and Chelsea dodge the bullet entirely.
Club-by-club AFCON call-ups (A–F)
Arsenal — No AFCON absentees. For a side priding itself on control and set-piece dominance, that continuity over Christmas could be worth points.
Aston Villa — Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast). Unai Emery hasn’t fully unleashed him yet, but losing a versatile forward during a congested run tightens Villa’s attacking options.
Bournemouth — Amine Adli (Morocco). Andoni Iraola’s men have been fearless, but Adli’s guile off the flank will be missed in games that hinge on one moment of quality.
Brentford — Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria). Keith Andrews keeps the Bees stubborn and streetwise, yet those departures chip away at their athletic punch and second-ball supremacy.
Brighton — Carlos Baleba (Cameroon). Fabian Hürzeler’s side rely on Baleba’s legs and tempo-setting; without him, the Seagulls lose bite and ball progression through the middle.
Burnley — Lyle Foster (South Africa), Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia). Scott Parker can’t afford to be without match-winners, and Foster’s knack for late, decisive goals is exactly what survival bids are built on.
Chelsea — No AFCON absentees. A rare December gift for Enzo Maresca as he navigates a packed slate without call-up disruption.
Crystal Palace — Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), Christantus Uche (Nigeria), Chadi Riad (Morocco), Cheick Doucouré (Mali). Oliver Glasner’s cup kings have depth, but that’s four key roles affected — pace out wide, midfield glue, and defensive balance all tested.
Everton — Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal), Idrissa Gueye (Senegal). David Moyes loses dribbling menace and midfield nous in one hit; Goodison will feel it in tight, attritional contests.
Fulham — Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria). Three big pieces for Marco Silva’s system. If the Super Eagles go deep, the Cottagers could be stretching their cover well into mid-January.
Pundit’s verdict
Squad architecture wins winters. Clubs with clean injury records and adaptable profiles will ride out AFCON; those already threadbare could cough up points. Keep an eye on Palace and Burnley for knock-on effects, while Arsenal and Chelsea have a golden chance to motor through the festive grind untouched by call-ups. And remember: the earlier your lads fly home, the quicker the season settles back in your favour.
