Africans to watch this weekend

The title race in England and Italy concludes this weekend with the continent’s stars central to their sides’ chances.

Riyad Mahrez could celebrate another Premier League win at the expense of Liverpool’s African contingent led by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, while Franck Kessie, leaving AC Milan at the end of this season, and Ismael Bennacer could end the Rossoneri’s wait for a Scudetto.

Both players featured in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Thursday and could keep their spots when the Blues host relegated Watford on Sunday.

The Hornets will want to depart the division on a high having endured a torrid year back in the Premier League.

Thomas Tuchel hinted on Thursday that changes could be widespread at Stamford Bridge this weekend, so it remains to be seen if the goalkeeper and playmaker retain their spots.

Manchester City are favourites to end the season with a fourth Premier League title in five years, seeing Riyad Mahrez claim another win with the Citizens.

The winger missed a late penalty last week to complete a turnaround at West Ham United, but the 2-2 draw keeps the race in City’s hands.

Pep Guardiola’s men will be out to avoid any slip against Aston Villa knowing full well dropped points could be capitalised on by Liverpool.

It remains to be seen if Mohamed Salah features, having gone off injured in last week’s FA Cup win over Chelsea, but Sadio Mane is likely to return to the XI against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A win for both sides mean the Reds will finish the campaign on 92 points, one behind their competitive rivals

Admittedly, Tottenham Hotspur are favourites to secure that final top four spot, but Mohamed Elneny and his Arsenal teammates could still take advantage of any underwhelming result from Spurs.

The Gunners host Everton who secured their league status for another year, so Frank Lampard’s men have little to play for on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.

Success for Arsenal and a defeat for Antonio Conte’s men at Norwich City would put Elneny and his teammates in next year’s Champions League at their rivals’ expense.

Frank Kessie takes to the pitch for the final time for AC Milan this weekend, and the Ivory Coast midfielder could end the night as Scudetto champion.

Kessie and Ismael Bennacer ought to feature for Stefano Pioli’s men at Sassuolo where they need to avoid defeat to claim a first league title since 2011.

Will the Barcelona-bound Ivorian end his Milan stay on a high?

The centre-back is reportedly said to be considering his future at Napoli and could be playing his last match for the Partenopei this weekend at 16th-placed Spezia.

Koulibaly has been one of Luciano Spalletti’s top players this season and the defender will seek a top performance against a side that have lost four of their last five league games.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, whose permanent transfer to Napoli this week, is likely to play from the off in the Azzurri’s final game of the campaign.