Achraf Hakimi PSG 202122Getty

Africans to watch this weekend

  • Elneny Chelsea Arsenal 2022Getty

    Africans to watch in Europe

    Mohamed Elneny gave a decent account of himself in Arsenal’s smashing 4-2 success at Chelsea on Wednesday and the midfielder could be retained in midfield when Manchester United visit on Saturday lunchtime.

    In Ligue 1, Achraf Hakimi and Idrissa Gueye could claim the French top-flight title by picking up a point this weekend.

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  • Watford player Ismaila Sarr of Senegal.Watford.

    Ismaila Sarr

    Second from bottom Watford have lost four of their last five in the Premier League and they face a daunting trip to league leaders Manchester City looking to pull off one of the season’s shock results.

    Sarr missed the reverse fixture at Vicarage Road but ought to feature at the Etihad Stadium as the Citizens aim for three points to end the gameweek atop the standings.

    With their Champions League semi-final first-leg against Real Madrid to come next week, it remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola will play Riyad Mahrez from the off against the struggling Hornets.

  • Yoane Wissa Brentford LiverpoolGetty

    Yoane Wissa

    Wissa has started Brentford’s last two league games since scoring at Chelsea and the forward could play from the off for a third match running when the Bees host Tottenham Hotspur.

    It could be the attacker’s 10th start for Thomas Frank this season and he would take his tally for the season to six with his next strike.

    Owing to Spurs’ Champions League desire, the Bees will love nothing more than throwing a spanner in the works to that ambition by taking points off Antonio Conte’s side.

  • Marcus Rashford - Manchester United - Mohamed Elneny - Arsenal 2-12-2021 getty

    Mohamed Elneny

    On his first start since December, Elneny had a rather decent showing in Arsenal’s 4-2 success at Chelsea.

    The midfielder’s previous start came in the 3-2 loss at Manchester United and he could be set to make another start against the same opponents at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

    With a top-four spot on the line, the Gunners know the importance of successive victories against sides they are potentially doing battle with for those positions.

  • Sadio Mane, Mohamed SalahGetty

    Merseyside Derby

    The 240th meeting between Liverpool and Everton takes place at Anfield this weekend with the Reds resounding favourites to secure maximum points.

    Mohamed Salah halted his three-game run without a league goal by putting Manchester United to the sword with a brace and an assist while Sadio Mane scored one and set up another in the 4-0 success.

    The pair are likely to feature when the red half of Merseyside seek a first double over the Toffees since the 2016/17 season.

    With Everton’s form on their travels utterly wretched — they have lost 11 of 15 games on their travels (one win, three draws) — Frank Lampard’s men face an uphill battle on Sunday.

  • Achraf Hakimi Paris Saint-Germain 2021-22Getty

    Hakimi and Gueye

    The Paris Saint-Germain pair featured in Wednesday’s 3-0 success over Angers which puts them on the verge of reclaiming the Ligue 1 title.

    Hakimi set up Kylian Mbappe’s 28th-minute strike and the wide defender is expected to start against Lens this weekend.

    Gueye was only a second-half substitute at Stade Raymond Kopa but the battling midfielder could start his 18th league game as PSG look for the point that will guarantee them the title.