Goal preview the continent’s stars expected to feature for their respective clubs around the world this weekend
Preview of Africans in Europe
Chelsea and Manchester City face off for the first time since May’s Champions League final and Edouard Mendy and Riyad Mahrez could go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Mane, Salah & Keita
Having played no part in Tuesday’s EFL Cup win at Norwich City, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane ought to return the Liverpool XI against Brentford.
The pair have started the campaign on a positive note with the Egypt star joint-top scorer with four goals, with his teammate a goal behind.
Naby Keita netted a well-hit volley against Crystal Palace and featured for 45 minutes in the 3-0 success at Norwich.
All three could play against an impressive Bees side that has netted nine times in their last two games in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in the process.
In Ligue 1, Achraf Hakimi responded to being dropped against Olympique Lyonnais and netted a brace in mid-week at Metz.
The wide defender will hope to start against Montpellier on Saturday.
Mendy vs Mahrez
Thomas Tuchel continues to sweat over the availability of Edouard Mendy going into Saturday’s meeting with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Riyad Mahrez may not be guaranteed a start but he ought to play in some capacity in what is the first encounter between these teams since last season’s Champions League final.
Chelsea remain unbeaten after five games and currently lead City with three points. Thus, the possibility of moving six points clear of Pep Guardiola’s men has to excite the West London faithful.
Aubameyang, Partey & Pepe
After a bitterly disappointing start, Arsenal’s African contingent will look to move level on points with Tottenham Hotspur after Sunday’s North London Derby.
Kessie & Bennacer
Despite still searching for his best run of form, Franck Kessie is still likely to start when AC Milan travel to plucky Spezia on Saturday.
Stefano Pioli’s team are unbeaten so far in Serie A, and they’ll look to continue that run in what could be a high scoring affair at Stadio Alberto Picco.
Ismael Bennacer has been in and out of the Rossoneri XI so far, largely due to the burgeoning Sandro Tonali, but the Algerian should expect to play in some capacity this weekend, nonetheless.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has netted only once in three Premier League starts in 2021/22, and the Gunners captain will strive to improve his paltry return against Spurs.
Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe are expected to play as well with Mikel Arteta’s men slight favourites to inflict a third successive league defeat on Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.
Achraf Hakimi
Hakimi was dropped to the bench and got only 15 minutes against Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday, but he returned to spare Paris-Saint Germain’s blushes against Metz.
The Morocco superstar netted twice in the 2-1 midweek success, with his second coming in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Indeed, there’s an expectation that the ex-Inter Milan wing-back will keep his place in Mauricio Pochettino’s XI when they host Montpellier on Saturday night.
The visitors are one of the high-scoring sides after seven gameweeks, so another goal-fest may be in the offing at Parc des Princes.
Source: goal.com