AMSTERDAM – It's back to the day job for Americans stationed overseas this weekend, with Jozy Altidore and Sunderland hoping to break a pair of ducks on their trip to Wales. All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland at Swansea City (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Saddled with a five-game EPL losing streak, Altidore & Co. will try to climb out of the basement against a fellow struggler. The Swans should start fellow Eredivisie transplant Wilfried Bony, who has only one league goal more than the American this season. In their Dutch meetings, the former AZ star went 3-0-1 and outscored Bony 4-1. Then again, Sunderland have yet to win a match at Swansea in four tries.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Brad Friedel – Tottenham (Sunday, 11 am on NBCSN)
The elder Brad will get a good seat in the Spurs dugout as his former Villans prodigy attempts to exact revenge for last season's sweep at the feet of Sunday's guests. Though Tottenham have traditionally struggled at Villa Park, they are currently unbeaten in six there after last year's 4-0 rout. This time, the hosts will take the field with a three-game undefeated streak featuring two shutouts.
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Hull City (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Howard and the Toffees will try to get back on track after suffering their first loss of the season before the international break. The US netminder is 3-1-1 lifetime against the Tigers, one of the EPL's early surprise packages. Everton have been unbeatable at home in 2013, winning nine of their 12 league games to date. Hull are currently unbeaten in four league matches, but their only Goodison Park win came 60 years ago.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Ajaccio (Saturday, 2 pm)
The US attacker could return to the lineup as the Canaries look to continue their surprising start. A fourth straight win could lift the risers as high as third place. Meanwhile, the banged-up home side enter winless in 13 Ligue 1 outings. Nantes have won three straight in the series between the two clubs and hold an even-Steven 3-3-1 record at Stade François Coty.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
Mikkel Diskerud – Rosenborg at IK Start (Saturday, noon)
With but one win in four, Mix and the Troll Kids have fallen out of the league penthouse on goal differential four games from the finish line. First in their way to the title is IK Start, a suddenly resurgent side with four wins on a six-game unbeaten run. Diskerud has a 4-2-1 lifetime record against Start and Rosenborg also have a winning mark there after posting two wins and a draw from the last three visits.
AUSTRIAN BUNDESLIGA
Terrence Boyd – Rapid Vienna vs. Sturm Graz (Sunday, 12:30 pm)
Rapid fans are again getting antsy, what with a two-game win drought dropping the team behind a couple of mites to fourth place. After busting out of the blocks this season, Boyd has suddenly gone scoreless in three games across all competition. He's also yet to hit against or take part in a win over Sturm Graz in two tries. Arnold Schwarzenegger's favorite club has won just once in their last eight at Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadion.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City vs. West Bromwich Albion, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Germany:
Timothy Chandler – FC Nürnberg at Eintracht, Sat. 9:30 am
Steve Cherundolo (probable) – Hannover 96 at Borussia Dortmund, Sat. 9:30 am
Netherlands:
Aron Johannsson – AZ Alkmaar vs. Cambuur, Sun. 12:30 pm
Denmark:
Babajide Ogunbiyi – Viborg at Brøndby, Sun. 11 am
Norway:
Steve Clark – Hønefoss vs. Molde FK, Sun. 9:30 am
