Balogun, Moses, Iwobi, Iheanacho, Solanke Discover Premier League Opening Day Opponents

Published: June 14, 2018

The Premier League announced the schedule for the 2018-2019 campaign on Thursday morning, and there are some interesting match-ups involving players of Nigerian descent on the opening day, August 11, 2018.

Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom will be hoping to be in the Arsenal squad for the visit of defending champions Manchester City, who pay the wages of Lukas Nmecha and Tosin Adarabioyo.

If Wilfred Ndidi and Ahmed Musa remain at Leicester City amid reports linking the duo with a summer exit, they are in line to make the match day squad against Manchester United at Old Tafford.

Former Manchester City wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho is the third Nigerian player with appearances for Leicester's first team.

Victor Moses, Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham and Ola Aina are the four players of Nigerian descent that may be involved in Chelsea's game against Philip Billing's Huddersfield Town at The John Smith's Stadium.

Everton, who have in their ranks England U21 star Ademola Lookman, travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It would be a Premier League debut for Nigerian-born striker Bright Enobakhare if he gets playing time against the Toffees, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is still recovering from illness.

Having impressed whilst on loan at Aston Villa, England U20 World Cup-winning midfielder Josh Onomah will fancy his chances of making the match day squad for Tottenham Hotpur's trip to Newcastle United.

Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun could be handed his Premier League debut when Brighton & Hove travel to Isaac Success and Stefano Okaka's Watford.

In other fixtures involving Nigerian players, Jordon Ibe's Bournemouth face newcomers Cardiff City, Dominic Solanke's Liverpool host West Ham and Michael Obafemi's Southampton tackle Burnley at home.

Premier League Opening Day Fixtures (August 11)

Arsenal v Man City
AFC Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham
Man Utd v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Spurs
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton
Wolves v Everton

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : brightonandhovealbion.com