Five Nigerian players are preparing for demanding league fixtures across Europe this weekend, with matches against title contenders and established sides presenting major tests for their respective clubs.

In England, Semi Ajayi and Hull City will travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

Hull are 11th in the table but have gone eight matches without a victory in all competitions, including seven league games. Ajayi featured throughout their 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town last weekend, recording six clearances and receiving a late booking.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have collected 24 points from nine matches and maintained a perfect home record in the league this season.

Another Nigerian defender, Ola Aina, is expected to face Manchester City as Nottingham Forest host the champions at the City Ground on Saturday.

Forest occupy 19th position with six points from nine matches and have scored just six goals, one of the lowest attacking returns in the division.

Aina started their 2-0 defeat to Brentford last weekend but was substituted at half-time. He has featured in only one of Forest's last three league matches, with Daniel Munoz tipped to replace him at right wing-back.

Manchester City head into the fixture after winning 3-2 away to RB Leipzig in the Champions League, despite suffering defeats in their previous two league matches.

In Spain, Umar Sadiq and Valencia face a difficult home encounter against Real Madrid at Mestalla on Saturday night.

Valencia are 19th with nine points from 11 matches and have scored eight goals. Sadiq recently returned from a two-month injury absence and scored the winning goal in their 1-0 victory over Elche, earning coach Javier Aguirre his first win.

The goal was also the Nigerian striker's second in the league this season, while Real Madrid arrive after winning their last seven matches in all competitions.

Ademola Lookman will also be involved in a major Spanish fixture when Atletico Madrid welcome league leaders Barcelona to the Metropolitano on Sunday.

Atletico are second with 28 points, two behind Barcelona, and have won their last seven league matches.

Lookman has scored once in the league this season, against Sevilla in August. He featured as a substitute in Atletico's 2-0 victory over Levante, while reports suggest coach Diego Simeone is considering deploying him on the left wing in a possible 4-3-3 formation.

In Italy, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Lazio will travel to Naples to take on Napoli on Sunday.

Lazio lead the league with 28 points and have won their last six matches, while Napoli occupy eighth position after losing their previous two games, including a 4-1 defeat to Porto in Europe.

Dele-Bashiru came on in the 55th minute during Lazio's 2-1 victory over Cagliari last weekend and appealed for a penalty following contact inside the box, but the referee did not award one.

The five fixtures will provide the Nigerian internationals with opportunities to make an impact against some of Europe's prominent clubs as the domestic campaigns continue.