Get Guardian on GoogleNo less than five Super Eagles will be involved in tough matches for their respective clubs in Europe this weekend before the international break, and a couple of them are up against league leaders and title contenders.
Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid v Barcelona)
Venue: Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
Kick-off: 9 p.m. (Sunday)
Diego Simeone will be banking on Ademola Lookman and his teammates when league leaders and defending champions Barcelona visit the Metropolitano on Sunday night. Lookman has endured a tough start to the season with just one goal in 11 La Liga matches. The 29-year-old came off the bench and features for 31 minutes in the Champions League home defeat to Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Lookman scored in the last meeting between the two sides in February and will hope to do the same against the champions. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are on a seven-game winning streak in La Liga, while Barcelona have since recovered from their El Clásico loss.
Semi Ajayi (Arsenal v Hull City)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Kick-off: 4 p.m. (Saturday)
Semi Ajayi returned to the club after not breaking into the first team, but he made one appearance for the under-21s. Ajayi went on to play for Wimbledon, Crewe, Rotherham, before establishing himself at Westbrom. Ajayi has featured in all Hull’s Premier League matches this season, playing 90 minutes except the league opener against Manchester United. Hull City are on an eight-game winless run across all competitions ahead of their visit to the champions who reclaimed top spot last week. The Gunners have won all their home matches this season while the Tigers have managed just one away win on the road.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest v Man City)
Venue: City Ground, Nottingham
Kick-off: 4 p.m. (Saturday)
Ola Aina and his Tricky Trees mates are up against a team desperate for a response after two consecutive losses in the league. The Super Eagles defender was in action last week in the 2-0 loss at Brentford and could be available for selection on Saturday evening against Manchester City. Nottingham Forest have managed just one win in their last 10 matches in all competitions, with six losses and three draws, and welcome a City side that has picked up maximum points at the City Ground in their last three visits. Ola Aina will hope to get his seventh start of the season and help his side avoid defeat against the Cityzens.
Fisayo-Dele Bashiru (Napoli v Lazio)
Venue: Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Naples
Kick-off: 12.30 (Sunday)
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru should be involved in one of the biggest matches in the Serie A this weekend as league leaders Lazio take on Napoli in Naples. The Super Eagles midfielder was vital in Lazio’s blistering start to the season with a goal and assists in his last five appearances in the league. Dele-Bashiru came off the bench to help Lazio secure a comeback win over Cagliari last weekend, extending their winning streak to five matches. The league leaders have dropped points in one in 10 Serie A matches this season and will target another win against a Napoli side trying to recover from the heavy Champions League loss at Porto. LaIon have won on their last two visits to Naples and Dele-Bashiru was involved in the 2-0 win in April.
Sadiq Umar (Valencia v Real Madrid)
Venue: Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia
Kick-off: 9 p.m. (Saturday)
Sadiq Umar came off the bench to seal a win for Valencia away at Elche last week. The 29-year-old features for 29 minutes but made an impact on his return from injury. Valencia are chasing their first home win of the season against a Real Madrid side that have won four of their last five away matches, including the El Clásico. Real Madrid have won three of their last five matches at the Mestalla and will chase another as Jose Mourinho’s men look to close in on Barcelona.
