Onuachu gets chance to score first EPL goal in 19 games; Iwobi and Aina start for the 18th time this season

OnuachuPaul Onuachu will lead Southampton’s attack in their match week 18 Premier League game against visiting West Ham United at St Mary’s while his compatriot, Joe Aribo is on the bench after starting the last two games.

Onuachu has been linked with a move away from Southampton in January but it looks like the gangling Nigerian has become the Saints’ new boss favourite and the 30 year old will feel he has been given the chance to score his first Premier League goal or get an assist for in his 19th appearance in the competition.

At Stamford Bridge, Alex Iwobi will be eager to score his first Premier League goal against Chelsea in six years.

Fulham are guest of the former Premier League champion and Iwobi, who last scored in the competition against Chelsea in August 2018, will be aiming to score again.

If he does, it will be his sixth of the season and set a new personal goals record in a single Premier League season.

The 28 year old is making his 18th straight start in 18 Premier League games played so far this season, something his Super Eagles compatriot, Ola Aina will also be doing when he his side, Nottingham Forest host Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground.

Aina scored his second goal of the season in Forest’s 2-0 defeat of their host, Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium last week and another goal for the Nigerian wing back will mean setting a personal season’s goal record of three.

Taiwo Awoniyi is on the bench and without a goal so far this season. The Super Eagles forward will be looking to finally open his goals account before the end of the year to give him the psychological boost of starting the new year with renewed hopes.