Scottish fans might have to wait until January 2 to see their sides in action, but armchair supporters can still enjoy more than 16 hours of live football on New Year's Day.

A packed schedule down south - and overseas - means that you won't be short of action to keep entertained, especially if you're recovering from a Hogmanay to remember. And it will all be the ideal build-up to a crunch January 2 in the Premiership, with a mouthwatering Old Firm clash at Ibrox leading a tasty looking fixture card that also sees St Johnstone welcome Hibs in a vital match at the wrong end of the table.

But before that there is plenty to enjoy, with Scotland stars playing down south in action - and even some blasts from the past on our screens for early risers who enjoy a bit of Australian top flight action to kick off their 2025.

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Early risers

If you're up with the lark on New Year's Day, or still up from the night before, you can cram in two live matches before 9am from the A League in Australia. Auckland FC against Melbourne Victory is the first televised match of 2025, and there are two links with Scottish football. Ex Celtic keeper Jonathan Gould is a coach at Auckland, who are owned by Hibs director Bill Foley. That's followed by Western Sydney Wanderers, where former Manchester United star Juan Mata is now playing, against Macarthur FC.

4am - Auckland FC vs Melbourne Victory - TNT Sports 1
7am - Western Sydney Wanderers v Macarthur FC - TNT Sports 1

Lunchtime

Three English Football League games are on at lunchtime, with fans having the choice of a trio of Championship ties. Managerless Plymouth Argyle face a Bristol City side who have ex-Rangers youngsters Ross McCrorie and Kal Naismith in their ranks. McCrorie's Scotland teammate Ryan Porteous will also be in action for Watford who have ex-Celtic pair Rocco Vata and Vakoun Issouf Bayo in their ranks as they travel to London to face QPR. Whilst ex Hamilton boss Alex Neil's Millwall welcome Oxford United to The Den.

12.30pm - Plymouth Argyle vs Bristol City - Sky Sports+
12.30pm - QPR vs Watford - Sky Sports Football
1pm - Millwall vs Oxford United - Sky Sports+

3pm kick-offs

This is where things become a bit manic, with the choice of of over 40 games from the English pyramid - stretching from the Championship to the Conference South. From a Scottish perspective Norwich City's visit to Luton Town might be worth a watch; with the Canaries likely to include Angus Gunn and Kenny McLean. Or you could give Leeds United against Blackburn Rovers a shot with both sides challenging for promotion to the Premier League, braver fans might even be tempted by an English Riviera derby in the Conference South as Torquay United take on Truro City.

Our picks:
Scottish interest - Luton Town vs Norwich City - Sky Sports+
Could be spicy - Leeds United vs Blackburn Rovers - Sky Sports+
Left-field choice - Torquay United vs Truro City - DAZN

5.30pm kick-offs

Good news if you've more than had your fill of the English lower leagues, there's English Premier League action to enjoy in the tea time slot - with Brentford welcoming Arsenal in a London derby. Or you can catch Scotland stars Ben Doak and Tommy Conway in action for Middlesbrough, as they look to build on impressive starts to life in the north east.

Brentford vs Arsenal - TNT Sports 1/TNT Sports Ultimate
Hull City v Middlesbrough - Sky Sports Football
Braintree Town v Southend United - DAZN

8pm kick-off

And you can round off your New Year's Day with one 8pm kick-off as Sunderland take on Sheffield United in the Championship. The Black Cats squad still contains former Celtic loanee Patrick Roberts and Jobe Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid and England star Jude. For the Blades meanwhile Harry Soutar, brother of Rangers star John, has been a commanding presence at the back.

Sunderland v Sheffield United - Sky Sports Football