With the 2025/26 Premier League season now underway, Nigerian stars continue to offer exceptional betting value across England’s top flight. This comprehensive guide analyzes the betting potential of Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest), and other Nigerian talents, providing data-driven insights for smart wagering.
The new season brings significant changes to the Nigerian presence in the Premier League. Most notably, Wilfred Ndidi has departed Leicester City following their relegation, completing an €8 million transfer to Turkish giants Besiktas in August 2025. This leaves approximately 6-7 active Nigerian players in the Premier League, down from previous seasons, with their combined market value still exceeding €100 million.
🇳🇬Wilfred Ndidi 🆚 FC Lausanne (Sofascore)
•90 mins
•91 touches
•Accurate passes 57/67 (%85)
•Long balls 1/4 (%25)
•Shots 1/3 (%33)
•Ground duels 7/8
•Aeriel duels 6/7
•2 Clearances
•4 tackles⭐7.8 match ratingpic.twitter.com/SrnqE1WU7w
— Besiktas Xtra (@XtraBesiktas) August 22, 2025
Two clubs now dominate the Nigerian representation: Fulham with Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey forming a potent partnership, and Nottingham Forest featuring the reliable Ola Aina and the injury-recovering Taiwo Awoniyi. The 2025/26 campaign, which kicked off on August 15 with Liverpool defending their championship, presents focused betting opportunities on these concentrated talents.
The Fulham Nigerian Connection
Alex Iwobi – The Creative Force
Season Preview
Alex Iwobi enjoyed his best-ever Premier League campaign in 2024/25, registering an impressive 8 goals and 5 assists in 32 appearances. The 29-year-old Nigerian international has established himself as Fulham’s primary creative outlet, with an estimated weekly wage of £80,000 making him the club’s fourth-highest earner. His reliability is unquestioned – he featured in virtually every match last season and has already appeared in the opening fixture against Brighton.
Betting Analysis
- Anytime Goalscorer: Strong value in home fixtures, particularly after his career-best scoring season
- Assists Markets: Primary creator for Fulham with consistent delivery from wide positions
- Shot Markets: Regular shooting threat with good conversion rate
- Card Risk: Very low – maintains excellent disciplinary record
- Minutes Guarantee: Likely to play 90 minutes consistently given his importance to the team
Key Betting Stats
- Goal involvement every 2.5 games in 2024/25 (13 contributions in 32 games)
- Became first Nigerian to reach 30+ goals and 30+ assists in Premier League history
- Contract runs until 2028, ensuring long-term stability
Calvin Bassey – The Defensive Rock
Season Preview
Calvin Bassey was voted Fulham’s Player of the Season for 2024/25, becoming the first Nigerian and first African to win this award. The 25-year-old centre-back received 39.6% of fan votes, comfortably ahead of teammate Iwobi (21.5%). His consistency was remarkable – he made 35 Premier League appearances, missing just three league matches.
Betting Analysis
- Clean Sheet Markets: Central to Fulham’s defensive improvement under Marco Silva
- Goalscorer Markets: Scored two crucial goals last season, including winner vs Nottingham Forest
- Set-Piece Threat: At 1.85m, he has heading potential
- Card Markets: Moderate risk due to defensive positioning
- Fantasy Value: Excellent value pick given his attacking returns from defence
Key Insight: Despite being Player of the Season, Bassey earns just £45,000 per week, making him only Fulham’s 14th-highest paid player – remarkable value for money that suggests room for contract improvement and continued motivation.
Opening Fixtures for Fulham Duo
- Aug 16: Brighton vs Fulham 1-1 (Already played)
- Aug 24: Fulham vs Manchester United 1-1 (Already played)
- Aug 30: vs Chelsea (H)
- Sep 13: vs Leeds United (A)
- Sep 20: vs Brentford (H)
The Nottingham Forest Nigerian Duo
Ola Aina – Mr. Consistency
Season Preview
Ola Aina enjoyed a stellar 2024/25 campaign, making 35 Premier League appearances and playing 3,003 minutes – remarkable consistency for a full-back. The 28-year-old scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist, including a crucial goal in Forest’s historic 3-0 win over West Ham that saw them go third in the league. His excellent form earned him recognition as one of the standout full-backs in the Premier League, with contract extension until 2028 secured in July 2025.
Betting Analysis
- Anytime Goalscorer: Excellent value at odds of 25/1+ given his attacking threat from right-back
- Assist Markets: Strong crossing ability with 0.4 crosses per 90 minutes
- Card Markets: 5 yellow cards in 35 games in 2024/25 – moderate risk
- Clean Sheet Potential: Forest kept 13 clean sheets with Aina on the pitch
- Shots Markets: Averaging 1.3 interceptions per 90
Key Insight: Aina was crucial in Forest’s historic 1-0 win at Anfield – their first victory there since 1969, making a vital goal-line clearance and containing Liverpool’s attack. He’s a proven big-game performer.
Taiwo Awoniyi – The Recovery Question
Critical Health Update
HIGH RISK ALERT: Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a serious abdominal injury requiring emergency surgery in May 2025. The striker was placed in an induced coma following the operation after suffering a ruptured intestine from colliding with a goalpost against Leicester City. While he has since recovered and posted on social media thanking fans for support, his fitness for the 2025/26 season remains uncertain.
2024/25 Season Context
Prior to his injury, Awoniyi had struggled for form and fitness, managing just 1 goal in 26 Premier League appearances. His place in the team was primarily as backup to the prolific Chris Wood, who emerged as one of the league’s top scorers.
Betting Analysis
- AVOID ALL MARKETS: Until fitness and match readiness confirmed
- Historical Context: 17 goals in 73 Premier League appearances since joining in 2022
- Competition Factor: Chris Wood’s form limits opportunities even when fit
- Monitor Team News: Only consider betting after confirmed return to training
Opening Fixtures for Forest Duo
- Aug 17: Forest vs Brentford 3-1 (Already played)
- Aug 24: Crystal Palace vs West Ham 1-1 (Already played)
- Aug 31: vs West Ham (H)
- Sep 13: vs Arsenal (A)
Other Nigerian Players to Watch
Frank Onyeka (Brentford) – The Bundesliga Returnee
Current Status: Frank Onyeka presents a complex betting scenario for 2025/26. The 27-year-old defensive midfielder spent 2024/25 on loan at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, where he made 31 appearances. However, his return to Brentford comes with uncertainty as Thomas Frank has departed for Tottenham, leaving Onyeka unsure about his role under a new manager.
Betting Analysis:
- Limited Opportunities: Has signed a contract until 2027 but historically struggled for regular starts at Brentford
- Card Markets: Defensive midfield role carries moderate booking risk when starting
- Minutes Risk: Uncertain playing time under new management makes him unreliable for betting
- Value Potential: Successful Bundesliga loan could improve his prospects under new coach
Former Premier League Nigerian Players
Joe Aribo (Southampton – Championship)
Current Status: Joe Aribo was relegated with Southampton in April 2025, as the Saints became the first Premier League team to be relegated with seven games remaining. The 29-year-old midfielder is reportedly seeking an exit from St Mary’s Stadium with links to a potential return to Rangers.
No longer Premier League option: Monitor for potential promotion or return to top flight
Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor – Turkish Super Lig)
Transfer Complete: Southampton officially announced terms have been agreed with Trabzonspor for Paul Onuachu’s permanent transfer in June 2025. The 31-year-old striker scored just 4 goals in 40 appearances during his Southampton stint but had impressed during a previous loan spell at Trabzonspor with 15 goals in 21 league appearances.
No longer Premier League option: Now playing in Turkish Super Lig
Nigerian Players in Other Leagues
The departure of key players has significantly reduced Nigerian representation in the Premier League. Wilfred Ndidi’s €8 million move to Besiktas following Leicester’s relegation represents the most significant loss. Other Nigerian talents like Emmanuel Dennis and Victor Osimhen have also moved to other European leagues, concentrating the remaining Premier League opportunities on the Fulham and Forest partnerships.
Market-Specific Betting Strategies
Goalscorer Markets: Best Value Options
Alex Iwobi Anytime Scorer – Premium Pick
- Combined 13 goals and assists in 32 league matches for 2024/25 – career-best attacking output
- Became first Nigerian to reach 30+ goals and 30+ assists in Premier League history
- Best fixtures: Home games and matches against promoted sides
- Typical odds: 6/1 to 10/1 range offers excellent value
Calvin Bassey Header/Set-Piece Markets
- Scored 3 goals for Fulham including crucial winner vs Manchester United in February 2024
- Strong aerial presence at 1.85m height with attacking ambition
Avoid Until Clarity:
- Taiwo Awoniyi markets (injury recovery uncertain)
- Frank Onyeka anytime scorer (monitor integration under new management)
Assists Markets: Top Selections
Iwobi to Register Assist
- 5 assists in 32 Premier League matches in 2024/25 – primary creative outlet for Fulham
- Career-best 13 goal contributions (8 goals + 5 assists)
- Value window: 7/2 to 5/1 in most fixtures
Ola Aina Assist Markets
- Right-back position provides crossing opportunities
- Forest’s 7th-place finish in 2024/25 shows attacking potential
- Long-term value: Season assist total markets
Shot Markets: Recommended Bets
Iwobi 1+ Shot on Target
- Consistent attacking threat with regular shooting opportunities
- Averaged 0.25 goals per game in 2024/25 – strong conversion rate
- Typical odds: 6/4 to 2/1 – excellent regular bet
Bassey 1+ Shot
- Confident with ball, likes to attack as center-back
- Set-piece threat increases shot opportunities
Disciplinary Markets
Yellow Card Probabilities:
Low Risk (Clean Card Value):
- Alex Iwobi: Exceptional disciplinary record with only 1 yellow card in 32 games – good value for no card markets
- Calvin Bassey: Professional approach – good value for no card markets
Moderate Risk:
- Ola Aina: 5 yellow cards in 35 games in 2024/25 – 1 card per 7 games average
- Frank Onyeka: Moderate booking risk when playing due to defensive midfielder role
Team Performance Markets
Fulham-Focused Bets
- Both Teams to Score – YES: Marco Silva’s attacking philosophy
- Over 2.5 Goals: High entertainment value matches
- Fulham Double Chance: Mid-table security against top-6 opposition
Forest-Centered Markets
- Under 2.5 Goals: Defensive stability with clean sheet potential
- Forest Clean Sheet: Strong defensive record in 2024/25
- Draw No Bet Forest: Value against traditional big-six clubs
September Fixture Analysis
Key September Matches for Nigerian Players
Fulham’s September Schedule:
- Sep 13: vs Leeds United (A)
- Sep 20: vs Brentford (H)
- Sep 27: vs Aston Villa (A)
Forest’s September Schedule:
- Sep 13: vs Arsenal (A)
- Sep 20: vs Burnley (A)
- Sep 27: vs Sunderland (H)
Betting Opportunities by Fixture
Best Bets for September:
- Fulham vs Leeds (Sep 13): Iwobi anytime scorer – favorable matchup against newly promoted side
- Fulham vs Brentford (Sep 20): Bassey clean sheet – strong defensive record at home against former set-piece coach Keith Andrews
- Forest vs Burnley (Sep 20): Aina shot on target – attacking full-back against newly promoted opposition
- Forest vs Arsenal (Sep 13): Under 2.5 goals – defensive approach against big-six opposition
Fixture Considerations:
- Newly promoted teams (Leeds, Burnley, Sunderland) may offer value for goalscorer bets
- Big-six matchups (Arsenal) favor defensive markets
- Home advantage crucial for clean sheet opportunities
- Set-piece situations become more important in tight matches
Key Insight: Nigerian players have shown they rise to big occasions, with Bassey’s Man United winner and Aina’s Anfield heroics proving their big-game mentality. September’s fixture list provides multiple opportunities to capitalize on their proven ability to perform against both promoted sides and established opposition.
Risk Assessment & Injury Updates
Current Injury Concerns
High Risk:
- Taiwo Awoniyi: Returned to full training in July 2025 after serious abdominal injury but faces competition from new signings at Forest – monitor team selection closely
- Monitor team news closely for any updates on his recovery timeline
Medium Risk:
- Players returning from international duty during AFCON period
- AFCON 2025 scheduled for December-January could disrupt form
- Frank Onyeka’s integration under new Brentford manager Keith Andrews – has made 1 substitute appearance in 2025/26 season
Low Risk:
- Alex Iwobi: Excellent fitness record, played 32 of 38 possible games in 2024/25
- Calvin Bassey: Durable defender, rarely misses matches
- Ola Aina: Consistent availability with 35 appearances in 2024/25
Form Considerations
Pre-Season Indicators:
- Fulham’s mixed pre-season results but strong opening fixture draw vs Brighton
- Forest’s solid start with 3-1 win over Brentford showing attacking intent
- Both clubs retained their Nigerian key players despite transfer interest
Transfer Window Impact
Window Deadline: September 1, 2025 – monitor any late moves affecting playing time
- Nigerian players appear settled at current clubs
- Keith Andrews appointed as new Brentford manager following Thomas Frank’s Tottenham move
- No major exit rumors surrounding Iwobi, Bassey, or Aina
Top 5 Best Value Bets for September
- Alex Iwobi Anytime Scorer (vs Leeds United, Sep 13) -13 goal contributions in 32 games shows consistent threat against newly promoted opposition
- Calvin Bassey 1+ Shot (Set-piece situations) – Strong aerial presence at 1.85m increases shot opportunities from corners and free kicks
- Forest Clean Sheet (vs West Ham, Aug 31) -Nottingham Forest’s impressive defensive record (13 shutouts) with Aina’s defensive contribution
- Iwobi 1+ Shot on Target (Home fixtures) – 61.9% shooting accuracy provides consistent value
- Research Opposition Defense – Analyze opposing team’s defensive weaknesses before placing Nigerian player bets
Market-Specific Value
Goalscorer Markets:
- Best Value: Iwobi in home fixtures where his consistent shooting accuracy of 61.9% combines with familiar surroundings
- Context Required: Research opposing team’s defensive record before betting
- Avoid: Defender goalscorer markets without specific set-piece analysis
Card Markets:
- Realistic Assessment: Aina’s 1 yellow per 7 games makes “no card” bets poor value
- Fixture-Dependent: Avoid card bets in London derbies due to increased intensity
- Data-Driven: Only bet cards when player frequency justifies odds offered
Bankroll Management
Evidence-Based Approach:
- Research First: Always verify current team news and starting lineups before betting
- Compare Odds: Check multiple bookmakers for best value on Nigerian player markets
- Single Bets Only: Avoid accumulators involving multiple Nigerian players from same fixture
- Monitor Form: Recent performances matter more than season-long statistics for betting decisions
- Injury Awareness: Particularly crucial for Awoniyi (returning from injury) and Onyeka (limited minutes under new management)
Conclusion
Season Outlook
The 2025/26 Premier League season offers focused betting opportunities on Nigerian players, primarily concentrated at Fulham and Nottingham Forest. Alex Iwobi emerges as the premium betting option with his consistent 8-goal output and 61.9% shooting accuracy, while Ola Aina provides defensive stability with proven reliability over 35 appearances.
Key Takeaways
- Reduced Nigerian presence following Ndidi’s departure to Besiktas concentrates opportunities
- Iwobi and Aina offer most reliable betting value based on verified 2024/25 performance data
- Awoniyi requires caution despite returning to training after serious injury
- Bassey presents set-piece value with aerial threat and defensive solidity
- Research-based approach essential – verify team news and opposing defenses before betting
Final Recommendation
Focus Nigerian player bets on proven performers with established roles. Iwobi’s creativity and goalscoring threat make him the standout option, while Aina’s consistency provides defensive market value. The concentrated Nigerian presence at two clubs makes research manageable but demands selective, data-driven betting for genuine value.
Successful Nigerian player betting in 2025/26 requires patience, research, and focus on players with verified track records rather than speculative opportunities.
Disclaimer
Important Notice: This article is for informational purposes only. All betting carries financial risk – only wager what you can afford to lose. Information is current as of August 23, 2025, but may change due to injuries or transfers. Always verify team news before betting.
Sources Used
FootyStats, Premier League Official, Wikipedia, Fulham FC, Nottingham Forest FC, Brentford FC, Soccernet NG, ESPN, and other publicly available sources.
