By Ikeddy ISIGUZO
WEST Ham, the highest ranked team on the EPL table, among the four in the early week fixtures, are the least hit by the exodus of African players to honour national assignments at the 2021 AFCON that kicked off in Cameroun on Sunday. Ham’s Said Benraham from Algeria would be away for as long as Algeria progress in AFCON.
Chances abound for West Ham to take the full points against Norwich City which have not earned a point in the past five games. Their best performance of eight points in November has been oblierated with no point in December after five matches.
Three full points to lift West Ham momentarily to fourth place, above Arsenal, are possible. Norwich sit firmly at the bottom of the table with only 10 points from 19 matches. Their woes worsen with each match.
Brentford will be without Nigerian forward Frank Onyeka while Southampton will miss Malian Moussa Djenepo in their critical tango for places on the table. A win for either of them would take them three places up. Brentford have been erratic but it looks like they can annex the points.
Leicester are bleeding from the loss of African players, four in all, two to Nigeria, one each to Ghana and Senegal. Who are Leicester without Nigerians Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi? Add the Ghanaian Daniel Armatey and Senegalese Nampalys Mendy and the gaps show. They be would be lean against Everton.
Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi would not be available for unambitious Everton who are six points behind Leicester. Will Everton snatch a point or win? They can feast on the depleted Leicester City.
Brighton earned respect on 29 December when Welbeck’s 91st goal took a vital point from Chelsea. They followed that with a 3-2 defeat of Everton. Both results were from away fixtures. What are their chances against Crystal Palace? They are bright.
Yves Bissouma of Mali and Gabon’s Ulrick Eneme Ella will be missing in Brighton’s lineup against Palace. They are away on AFCON assignments for their country.
Jordan Ayew of Ghana, Wilfried Zaha of Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal’s Cheikhou Kouyate are key Palace players involved in AFCON. Palace will struggle without them. High flying Brighton are poised to make hay.
These games will be mere revs for the EPL engine until the weekend when the contenders will be in action in games that could wilder the gaps between contenders and pretenders.
How will AFCON affect the Premiership? The impact of AFCON will be more reflected in the weekend matches. Most clubs with players in AFCON are praying for their early returns.
Enjoy the games.
*Fixtures*
11 January
Southampton v Brenton
Everton v Leicester City
12 January
West Ham v Norwich City
14 January
Brighton v Crystal Palace
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