AMSTERDAM – Several US internationals go back to their European day jobs this weekend, with Everton star Tim Howard set to lace them up for another local battle with arch nemesis Liverpool. All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Geoff Cameron, Brek Shea – Stoke City vs. Jozy Altidore – Sunderland (Saturday, 10 am)
With home wins starting to pile up, Altidore & Co. go looking for the first EPL away victory since April. They've been shut out three straight times on the road, so the American could hardly pick a better time for his first league goal of the season. Sunderland have lost only once in their last seven against Cameron's Potters, who will enter winless in their last eight league matches. Shea will be hoping to dress for his first league tilt of the term.
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 7:45 am on NBCSN/Mun2)
Fresh off a convincing pair of US outings, Howard returns to club life for the biggest home game of the year. The netminder posted a pair of draws against the city rivals last season, but still has won just once in 13 league tries since his first Liverpool derby in an Everton shirt. The Toffees defense will want to keep eagle eyes on Luis Suárez, who has three goals and three set-ups in the last four overall meetings.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Jermaine Jones – Schalke at Eintracht Frankfurt (Saturday, 9:30 am)
The Miners midfielder is expected to start when his former employers come to town. Jones has a 3-3-1 career record against Eintracht, but has not participated in a win over them in nearly five years. He might be catching them at the right time, as the hosts have dropped four straight overall and are winless in seven league games. Though Schalke have traditionally struggled at Commerzbank-Arena, they have gone 3-1-2 in the last six there.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Monaco (Sunday, 3 pm on beIN Sport Play)
France's surprise team returns from the international break to host the big summer spenders from Monaco, who hold third place just three points ahead of them. Nantes, who have won four of five at Stade de la Beaujoire, have lost but one of their last seven home meetings with the principality side. The visitors will arrive without a suspended trio of regulars, Fábinho, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Lucas Ocampos.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar vs. Roda JC (Saturday, 1:45 pm)
With AZ a single point off the top, Jóhannsson returns to the happy hunting ground of AFAS-Stadion. Since joining the team, he's scored seven goals in eight games as league host. The US forward has yet to face Roda, who sit six points back in 11th place. The Cheese Farmers have earned four shutout victories from the last five home meeting between the two.
AUSTRIAN BUNDESLIGA
Terrence Boyd – Rapid Vienna vs. Red Bull Salzburg (Sunday, 10:30 am)
If Boyd and his teammates want to start a title rally, they need a win against the leaders. Rapid are second, 10 points back heading toward the league turn. The young forward has five goals in his last six home games in league play, and three in five previous meetings with the other Red Bulls. The clubs have split their two Vienna clashes in each of the last three seasons.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
John Brooks – Hertha Berlin vs. Bayer Leverkusen, Sat. 9:30 am
Timothy Chandler – FC Nürnberg vs. Wolfsburg, Sat. 9:30 am
Steve Cherundolo – Hannover 96 at Hamburg, Sun. 9:30 am
Fabian Johnson – Hoffenheim at Augsburg, Sat. 9:30 am
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Charleroi, Sat. noon
Denmark:
Conor O'Brien – Odesne BK at Randers FC, Sat. 11 am
Babajide Ogunbiyi – Viborg at FC Copenhagen, Sun. 11 am
