Preview of Africans in Europe
The key Africans involved in the Premier League title race hope to be involved for Manchester City and Liverpool.
Riyad Mahrez is expected to feature against beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur, while Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are likely to spearhead the Reds’ attack against third-bottom Norwich City.
In Serie A, Ismael Bennacer and under-fire Franck Kessie should feature for table-topping AC Milan, looking to consolidate their grip atop the log having supplanted Inter Milan last weekend.
Said Benrahma
The Algeria international could start his 20 Premier League game of the season when fifth-placed West Ham United welcome in-form Newcastle United to the London Stadium.
David Moyes’ side dropped points last week at Leicester City, although a late equaliser to make it 2-2 at the death suggests it was a point gained rather than two lost.
Having said that, Benrahma and co. strive to end the five-game unbeaten run of Eddie Howe’s side in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture.
With fourth-placed Manchester United two points ahead and Arsenal, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham — all with games outstanding — breathing down the Hammers’ necks, the London side will want to prevent the Magpies from winning successive away games on the trot for the first time this season.
Salah, Mane, Keita & Matip
All four could start for Liverpool when they host third-bottom Norwich City, seeking to secure maximum points before Man City play later on Saturday.
Even though Sadio Mane did not have his best nights against Inter on Wednesday, Mohamed Salah netted in the Reds’ 2-0 victory over the Italian side, while Naby Keita had a decent-to-good showing following his introduction.
Barring any Jurgen Klopp decision to give either Mane or Salah a breather, all three are expected to be joined in the Liverpool XI for Norwich’s visit to Anfield.
The Canaries let in four last time out against Pep’s City, a number the hosts could match if they are on their game.
Riyad Mahrez
Having seen his PL scoring run end last week at Norwich, Mahrez was back among the goals on Tuesday as the Citizens annihilated Sporting Lisbon 5-0 away from home.
Pep will undoubtedly hope for the same clinical finishing when the league leaders host out-of-form Tottenham who have lost three league games on the spin under Antonio Conte.
City suffered a shock 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at the start of the season, and they might have revenge on their minds even if they do not admit it publicly.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Having started in Thursday’s Europa League clash with Napoli on Thursday, Aubameyang will relish the opportunity of playing from the off and opening his La Liga account for Barcelona against Valencia.
The ex-Arsenal man has had to bide his time domestically, with Xavi slowly integrating the frontman following his Deadline Day switch.
With Los Che winless in their last six league games, conceding 12 goals in that time, the Gabon superstar will reckon Jose Bordalas’ team are there for the taking.
Bennacer & Kessie
A section of Milan supporters were hostile towards Franck Kessie last time out against Sampdoria, due to the impasse in contract negotiations, but the Ivory Coast star could feature from the off against cellar-dwelling Salernitana.
The ex-Atalanta man could play in tandem with Ismael Bennacer, although Stefano Pioli has strikingly not paired both from the start since a 2-1 win at Roma in October.
While the duo may not start together in the middle of the park, they are expected to see game time against the Salerno outfit.
Success will mean the Rossoneri retain top spot in Serie A regardless of Inter or Napoli’s results.
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