AMSTERDAM – Another busy weekend of European league action will feature several Americans in hearty contests, with midweek scorer Jozy Altidore looking to open his season account for Sunderland at Crystal Palace.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland at Crystal Palace (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. on NBC)
After hitting his first Black Cats goal in Capital One Cup play, Altidore will look to get on the EPL strike charts in south London. Altidore will not have the set-up assistance of Stéphane Sessègnon, who has been suspended by manager Pauli Di Canio after a drunk driving arrest on Tuesday. The two clubs have not met in nearly seven years and haven't resided together in the top flight since 1991. Sunderland have fallen on their last three trips to Selhurt Park.
Geoff Cameron, Brek Shea (Stoke), Sebastian Lletget (WHU) – West Ham United vs. Stoke City (Saturday, 10 a.m. on Premier League Extra Time)
Cameron should start at right back, while Shea and Lletget may end up respective bench options for this contest. Potters midfielder Maurice Edu played 45 reserve minutes on Monday, but isn't quite ready for first team action. The Hammers, who have dropped just one of their last 10 EPL home tilts, are winless in their last three against Stoke.
ITALIAN SERIE A
Michael Bradley – AS Roma vs. Hellas Verona (Sunday, noon on beIN Sport)
Il Generale should retain his midfield place as Roma opens their home schedule against one of the clubs who had a summer transfer bid for his services soundly rejected. Both teams enter having won their season openers, with Verona taking AC Milan's scalp in round one. Roma have won all five meetings between these teams at Stadio Olimpico and stand unbeaten from the last seven overall.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Fabian Johnson – Hoffenheim at Stuttgart (Sunday, 9:30 a.m.)
The US international will take his semi-usual left back slot in Hoffenheim's big derby. Johnson has a goal and an assist in four career games against the Schwabians, but has only been on the winning side once. Stuttgart, who have lost their first three league games of the season, can only boast a 1-1-1 split from the previous three meetings in their house.
Jermaine Jones – Schalke vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. on GolTV)
Though successfuly into the Champions league group phase, the Miners are still looking for their first Bundesliga win of the season. Jones will start in central park against nearby rivals Leverkusen. Fresh catch Kevin-Prince Boateng might also see action against Bayer, who are traditionally one of Schalke's most troublesome guests.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar vs. Vitesse (Sunday, 8:30 a.m.)
Jóhannsson will get his first sight of Vitesse in a battle of two clubs hit hard by the summer transfer window. The youngster has bagged six goals in his first nine Eredivisie games, dating back to last season. The Cheese Farmers typically get all they can handle in this home fixture, but they've taken the last three clashes at AFAS-Stadion by an 11-1 combined count.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Tim Howard – Everton at Cardiff City, Sat. 10 a.m. on NBC Sports Network
Germany:
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin at Wolfsburg, Sat. 9:30 a.m.
Timothy Chandler (FCN), Michael Parkhurst (FCA) – FC Nürnberg vs. Augsburg
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Reims, Sat. 2 p.m.
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Zulte-Waregem, Sun. noon
Denmark:
Conor O'Brien – FC Nordsjælland vs. FC Vestsjælland, Sun. 5 a.m.
Babajide Ogunbiyi – Viborg vs. FC Copenhagen, Sun. 11 a.m.
Austria:
Terrence Boyd – Rapid Vienna at Red Bull Salzburg, Sun. 10:30 a.m.
Norway:
Steve Clark – Hønefoss at Tromsø, Sun. noon
Mikkel Diskerud – Rosenborg vs. Aalesund FK, Sat. noon
