Despite the allure of the yuletide period, some Nigerian players will still be involved in league action for their European clubs this weekend and midweek. Www.dasportstainment247.com highlights some of the games in England where Nigerian players may likely feature.
In the ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Semilogo Ajayi, and Ademola Lookman are some of the players expected to feature for their clubs in matches slated for this weekend and midweek.
Ndidi has recaptured his spot in Leicester City’s middle of the pack and he is expected to play a starring role when the Foxes face Odion Ighalo’s Manchester United on Saturday and Crystal Palace at the Shelhust Park on Monday. The former Genk midfielder is in line to make his seventh and eighth league games of the season but Kelechi Iheanacho with seven games played already this season, mostly as substitute, may start from the bench again in both games.
Alex Iwobi’s Everton are unbeaten in the league since the start of December despite facing Chelsea (1-0), Leicester City (2-0) at the King Power Stadium and Arsenal (2-1) in the current month. Can they hold on in the final two games of the year against Sheffield United at the Bramall Lane on Saturday and Manchester City at home on Monday? Iwobi has 13 games in the league and impressive results in both games could land the Toffees in the top three.
Fulham with Ola Aina (11 games, one goal) and other two English raised Nigerians: Tosin Adarabioyo (10 games) and Ademola Lookman (11 games, two goals) will slug it out with Southampton at the Craven Cottage and Tottenham at the Tottenham Stadium on Saturday and Wednesday.
The Cottagers are 18th with 10 points from 14 games and they are in dire need of all the points they can get that will see them out of the relegation zone.
Semilogo Ajayi’s West Brom lost their first game under new manager, Sam Allardyce to Aston Villa and they have a tougher assignment on Sunday when they trade tackles with the EPL reigning champions and league leaders, Liverpool at Anfield and Leeds on Tuesday at the Hawthorns. Ajayi with 13 games and a goal will be integral to West Brom in both games even though he was culpable for one of the goals they conceded against Aston Villa.
