Nigerians in tough clashes across Europe

Five Nigerian players in England, Spain and Italy face some of the weekend’s toughest assignments, with leaders, title chasers and a Premier League champion standing in their way.

Semi Ajayi (Hull City vs Arsenal)

Ajayi and Hull visit Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off at 4pm Nigerian time. The Tigers are 11th but have gone eight games without a win in all competitions and seven in the league. Ajayi played the full game in the 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town last weekend, making six clearances, and he was booked in the 88th minute. Arsenal have 24 points from nine games and are the only club with a 100 per cent home record this season.

Ola Aina (Forest vs Man City)

Aina and Forest host Manchester City at the City Ground on Saturday, with kick-off at 5:30pm Nigerian time. Forest are 19th with six points from nine games and have scored only six goals, the joint-lowest in the league.

Aina started the 2-0 defeat at Brentford last weekend but was substituted at half-time, and he has made only one appearance in Forest’s last three league games. Daniel Munoz is tipped to replace him at right wing-back. City have lost their last two league games, but they won 3-2 at RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Umar Sadiq (Valencia vs Real Madrid)

Sadiq and Valencia host Real Madrid at Mestalla on Saturday night. Valencia are 19th with nine points from 11 games and have scored only eight goals, the joint-lowest in La Liga.

Sadiq came off the bench to score the only goal in the 1-0 win at Elche, with a solo run, and it gave coach Javier Aguirre his first win. It was also the striker’s second league goal of the season and a comeback after two months out injured. Madrid have won their last seven games in all competitions and are third, three points behind Barcelona.

Ademola Lookman

(Atlético vs Barca)

Lookman and Atletico host leaders Barcelona at the Metropolitano on Sunday night in a meeting of the top two in La Liga. Atletico are second on 28 points, two behind, and have won their last seven league games.

Lookman has one league goal this season, against Sevilla in August. He came on in the 76th minute in the 2-0 win at Levante, a week after he was withdrawn at half-time. Reports in Spain say coach Diego Simeone is considering a switch to a 4-3-3 that would put the forward on the left wing.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Napoli vs Lazio)

Dele-Bashiru and league leaders Lazio visit Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday, with kick-off at 12:30pm Nigerian time. Lazio have 28 points and have won their last six games.

Dele-Bashiru came on in the 55th minute in the 2-1 win over Cagliari last weekend and appealed for a penalty after contact in the box, but none was given. Napoli are eighth and have lost their last two games, including a 4-1 defeat to Porto on Wednesday.