We’re less than halfway through the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, so it feels somewhat premature to be talking about the 2024/25 season. But with the way that the EPL and English Championship are currently shaping up, there could be an abundance of Nigerian players plying their trade in the Premier League next term and that has to be considered a good thing for the Super Eagles.
Fulham Firing
The Premier League betting odds supplied by bookmakers can be used as a good guide as to how the season will shape up. Naturally, the campaign is popular with bettors all around the world, including within regions like Nigeria. With a plethora of options to choose from, online directories compare offerings by rating factors such as average customer reviews, the quality of promotions offered to players, and the overall safety and customer service at Nigerian betting sites. Bettors can make their EPL wagers with confidence – whether those are on Fulham or another team in which the Super Eagles are flying.
Before a ball had even been kicked in the tournament this year, numerous bookies had predicted that Fulham – blessed with the talents of Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey – would struggle in 2023/24. However, the same sportsbooks are now offering shorter odds on the Cottagers finishing inside the top half of the league table, which implies they’ll be dodging the relegation zone. This change in the tide follows an incredible spell in which Fulham have scored 16 goals in four games – headlined by wins over the likes of Wolves, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham.
Wednesday: Fulham 5-0 Forest. 😏
Sunday: Fulham 5-0 West Ham. 🤯Just another day at the office. 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/MRS7TBzYQA
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 10, 2023
Iwobi and Bassey will now almost certainly be playing in the Premier League next season, while Frank Onyeka’s Brentford are also expected to survive comfortably. The hope is that Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina, and Nottingham Forest can pull away from the drop zone too.
With the way the second-tier Championship is shaping up, they could be joined next season by a number of their Super Eagles colleagues.
Moving On Up
Leicester City and Ipswich Town are dominating the Championship at the halfway stage of the season, with Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Freddie Ladapo all dreaming of promotion to the Premier League.
The former duo have contributed seven goals and five assists to Leicester’s journey to the top of the league, with the form of Enzo Maresca’s team such that they are red-hot favorites to ascend to the EPL.
The match report following our four-midable #LEIPLY win 📰
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 9, 2023
Southampton and West Brom are also in the mix for promotion courtesy of the playoffs. The former have Joe Aribo on their books – the energetic midfielder has, however, been unable to cement a first-team place so far this term, but he is a player of immense talent and determination.
Semi Ajayi is once again a formidable presence in the West Brom defense, a side who have shaken off a sluggish start to the campaign to win six games between the start of October and the end of November. When fit, Josh Maja will also bolster their attacking options.
Jamilu Collins is also knocking on the door of the playoffs with Cardiff City, so when you think about it, there’s the chance that there could be double-digits of Nigerian players in the Premier League come 2024/25.
Hopefully, that will provide a timely, positive knock-on effect for the national team, too.
