African players to watch this weekend

After last week’s colossal victory over Juventus, Achraf Hakimi will hope to help his Inter Milan side to another victory this weekend, looking to maintain or decrease the gap on Franck Kessie’s AC Milan.

Nicolas Pepe

Having sat out Arsenal’s 3-0 success over Newcastle United on Monday night, Pepe is expected to return to the XI for Saturday’s FA Cup encounter with Southampton.

The wideman has had to make do with cup appearances for Mikel Arteta’s troops lately and another run out against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s troops may be in the offing.

Of course, given the absence of replays this year, the Spaniard is likely to field a reasonably strong side, but the Ivory Coast winger ought to feature regardless.

Hakim Ziyech

Frank Lampard played a strong XI in the Third Round win over Morecambe and could select some of his heavy-hitters yet again this weekend against Luton Town.

This could include Ziyech, whose form has suffered amid Chelsea’s overall issues at both ends of the pitch recently as the Blues look to prevent a shock exit from the sport’s oldest cup competition.

Having made it to last year’s final, Lampard will hope to progress in the hope of winning a trophy this year, especially as their prospects in the Premier League and Champions League appear bleak.

Youssef En-Nesyri

The forward’s strike in Sevilla’s 2-1 success at Alaves means he’s now netted four goals in his last three games, thus probably cementing his place as Julen Lopetegui’s first-choice number nine.

Be that as it may, Bono’s impact was even more palpable in midweek, given the shot-stopper’s late penalty save to deny the hosts a 91st-minute leveller.

Both Moroccans are expected to feature this weekend when the Andalusians host Cadiz at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan looking to their third home game on the trot and sixth of the campaign.

Success could see Lopetegui’s troops move into the top four at the end of the gameweek.

Achraf Hakimi

Inter Milan secured a deserved 2-0 success over Juventus last time out, but they’ll need to consolidate with a win at Udinese on Saturday.

Hakimi may not have scored or assisted in that hugely important win over the Old Lady, however, he was crucial to Antonio Conte’s team at both ends of the pitch and played a part in the move that ended with Inter’s first.

With AC Milan facing a daunting game against Atalanta this weekend, the Nerazzurri could find themselves within touching distance of their local rivals at the end of the gameweek.

Franck Kessie

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic back in action, Kessie couldn’t add to his Serie A tally from the spot in Monday’s 2-0 win over struggling Cagliari.

Three points were the most important thing for the Rossoneri, though, who face a testing encounter with Atalanta at San Siro on Saturday evening, looking to prevent Inter from closing the gap at the top of the table.

It won’t be easy against Gian Piero Gasperini’s team who are unbeaten in all competitions since losing at home to Hellas Verona in November.

Will Kessie and his teammates finally end La Dea’s 12-game unbeaten run?

Source: goal.com