Five Nigerian players face challenging weekend fixtures in England, Spain and Italy, including matches against Arsenal, Man City and Barcelona

Five Nigerian footballers playing in England, Spain and Italy face demanding weekend assignments, with matches against league leaders, title contenders and some of Europe’s leading clubs.

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Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Umar Sadiq, Ademola Lookman and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru are among the players expected to attract attention as their respective clubs prepare for important fixtures.

Ajayi and Hull City face Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm Nigerian time.

Hull are 11th in the league and have gone eight matches without a win in all competitions, including seven consecutive league games.

The Nigerian defender played the entire match in Hull’s 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town last weekend. He recorded six clearances and received a yellow card in the 88th minute.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have collected 24 points from nine matches and remain the only club with a 100 per cent home record this season, making the trip a difficult test for Hull.

Aina and Nottingham Forest also have a challenging assignment on Saturday when they host Manchester City at the City Ground, with kick-off scheduled for 5.30pm Nigerian time.

Forest are 19th with six points from nine matches and have scored only six goals, the joint-lowest tally in the Premier League.

Aina started Forest’s 2-0 defeat at Brentford last weekend but was substituted at half-time. He has featured in only one of the club’s last three league matches, with Daniel Munoz tipped to replace him at right wing-back.

Manchester City have lost their last two league matches but head into the fixture after securing a 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

In Spain, Umar Sadiq and Valencia welcome Real Madrid to Mestalla on Saturday night as they seek to build on their recent improvement.

Valencia are 19th in La Liga with nine points from 11 matches and have scored just eight goals, also among the lowest totals in the division.

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Sadiq came off the bench to score the winning goal in Valencia’s 1-0 victory away to Elche. His solo effort secured coach Javier Ag