AMSTERDAM – Several Americans will hit the road for tall task away clashes this weekend, with Everton's Tim Howard looking for his first win over Liverpool at Anfield Road since his rookie Premier League season with Manchester United.
All times in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland vs. Swansea City (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
After opening his account for the campaign on Wednesday, could the US power forward get another start over a Sunderland strike stable that has yet to hit the mark in five league outings? Either way, Altidore has publicly called for the Black Cats to get "nastier" if they want to break into the win column against the visiting Swans. He may to be correct; the Welsh battlers swept the series last season and have dropped just one of their last six at the Stadium of Light.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa at Chelsea (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Those ugly four minutes against Arsenal from last weekend aside, the Villa backstop has started the season in outstanding form. Guzan & Co. tend to run hot or cold against Chelsea, though. He has backstopped a 4-1 advantage in his two career wins over the Blues (including a shutout victory in last season's meeting), while his three losses against them have involved conceding a sum of 14 goals. Three points on Saturday would not just give the Villans their consecutive EPL wins over Chelsea for the first time in 21 years, it would also take them level with the current table toppers from Stamford Bridge.
Tim Howard – Everton at Liverpool (Saturday, 7:45 am on NBCSN/Mun2)
Howard will take a career Anfield record of 1-6-5 across all competition into play when the Toffees attempt to recover from an unceremonious midweek cup ouster. In overall EPL action, though, the American has only lost three of the last eight meetings between the local rivals. Major thorn Luis Suárez has left both the Liverpool side and Howard's, leaving Steven Gerrard as the top Reds scorer against the Everton netminder with five series goals.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Julian Green – Hamburg vs. Timmy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt (Sunday, 11:30 am on GolTV)
It remains to be seen if Green will recover from a rib knock in time to take part, but Chandler is starting to get comfy in Eintracht's right-back slot after watching two of the first three games from the bench. The US defender compiled an even 2-2-2 split against HSV while at Nürnberg. Last place Hamburg, who have yet to score in five league contests and remain without talisman Rafael van der Vaart, are also currently winless in four against the Frankfurt crew.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Lyon (Sunday, 11 am on beIN Sports Connect)
Now over a recent illness, the US attacker is expected to keep his place behind the target man. The Canaries, who stand one rung above Lyon in seventh, could climb to within reach of the league penthouse with a win. It won't be easy; Les Gones have won seven of the last eight league meetings, including three of four at Nantes. This time, Lyon will visit missing several regulars to injury.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
Coach Bob Bradley, Andrew Jacobson, Michael Stephens – Stabæk vs. Lillestrøm (Sunday, 9:30 am)
Bradley and his Blue Ones will be looking to strike back after falling 5-1 to LSK earlier this season. Stephens assisted on the consolation goal that day, while midfield mate Jacobson gets his first look at the regional enemy. Though after derby revenge, a win can also take them closer to the Europa League race than they are to the relegation fray.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
John Brooks – Hertha Berlin at Augsburg, Sun. 9:30 am on GolTV
Joe Gyau – Borussia Dortmund at Schalke, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Fabian Johnson – BorussiaMönchengladbach at Paderborn, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht at FCTwente, Sun. 8:30 am
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Zulte-Waregem, Sat. noon
Norway:
Mix Diskerud – Rosenborg vs. AalesundFK, Sun. 2 pm
Austria:
Conor O'Brien – Wiener Neustadt vs. SV Ried, Sat. 12:30 pm
Serbia:
Freddy Adu – FK Jagodina at Novi Pazar, Sun. 11 am
