Nigerians to watch this weekend

Victor Osimhen could return to the Napoli starting line-up after two substitute appearances in league and cup as Gennaro Gattuso’s inconsistent side seek a return to winning ways in Serie A.

In the Premier League, Alex Iwobi will hope to start for Everton after only getting 10 minutes against Wilfred Ndidi’s Leicester City in midweek.

Ndidi was replaced in the draw vs Everton during the week and may miss out when Leicester City host Leeds United at the King Power Stadium.

However, Iheanacho could play a part due to Jamie Vardy’s continued absence and in spite of Brendan Rodgers’ preference of Ayoze Perez to lead the line.

The Foxes could go top of both Manchester clubs lose this weekend.

The Nigerian will have been disappointed at being dropped for Everton’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City in midweek, only coming on for the final 10 minutes as Carlo Ancelotti chased the win.

Iwobi may well return to the XI for the Toffees’ Saturday lunchtime encounter with Newcastle United, especially as Richarlison disappointed against the Foxes.

The Merseyside outfit could move into fifth place if results go their way in the upcoming round of games.

Napoli’s inconsistency was exposed yet again in their 3-1 defeat by Hellas Verona last week, a game that marked Osimhen’s return to action after months without featuring.

The Nigeria striker got 25 minutes in the defeat before playing for 30 minutes in the 4-2 Coppa Italia success on Thursday.

The frontman could start his first game for the Azzurri who host Parma in gameweek 20 in Serie A, which will be his first since November 8 as Gattuso’s team look to return to winning ways.

While Crotone were beaten by Fiorentina last time out, Simy scored in successive games for the bottom side, taking his league tally for the season to seven in 16 starts.

The Pythagoreans host 14th-placed Genoa who are on a three-game unbeaten run, gathering seven points in that time.

Success for Simy, looking to score in three games on the trot, and his teammates will take them to 15 points, three behind the team they host and it’s an eventuality Crotone will relish before kick-off.

Even though Caleb Ekuban was the star in Trabzonspor’s 2-1 victory over Genclerbirligi in the previous gameweek, Nwakaeme continued a bright run that’s now seen him score or assist five times in the last five league matches.

The burly forward leads the Black Sea Storm’s goal involvement table and he’ll hope to continue fine run against Super Lig table toppers, Besiktas.

Both sides have picked up 13 points from their last quintet of games, scoring loads of goals in the process (16 for Besiktas and nine for Trabzonspor), which somewhat guarantees a level of entertainment this weekend.