AMSTERDAM – Several Americans are slated for key contests across the pond this weekend, with Fabian Johnson and Borussia Mönchengladbach aiming to prove their championship race mettle when Bundesliga kings Bayern Munich pay a visit.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMiER LEAGUE
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland vs. Arsenal (Saturday, 10 am on NBCSN/Mun2)
After missing out on last weekend's 8-0 thrashing against Southampton because of personal reasons, Altidore is back in the mix for a visit from the Gunners. The US striker has been on the losing side in all three of his Arsenal clashes, including when he had a goal controversially waved off in this fixture last season. The visitors have taken three of four meetings at the Stadium of Light, but will count Mathieu Debuchy, Olivier Giroud, Mesut Özil and Jack Wilshere among the missing for this trip.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa at Queens Park Rangers (Monday, 3 pm on NBCSN/Mun2)
After a terrific start to the season, Guzan & Co. have dropped four straight EPL games against clubs from last season's top five by a combined 11-0 tally. A tilt against the current cellar dwellers (who once eyed the American as a potential transfer target) may seem a happy respite, but Villa have not won at Loftus Road since 1991, a span of seven matches. Overall, Guzan has a 1-1-2 record against QPR.
Tim Howard – Everton at Burnley (Sunday, 8:30 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Fresh off his first European clean sheet since 2009, the Everton backstop returns to league action to face a regional rival the team hasn't seen since that same campaign. Howard, who has but one win in seven overall away games this term, split his two meeting with Burnley during that 2009/10 season. Going back further, the Toffees are 0-2-3 in their last five at Turf Moor.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Bayern Munich (Sunday, 11:30 am on GolTV)
The US handyman may return to the line-up as the left winger when the Foals' early title chase gets real. The champs are in town carrying a four-point edge over second place 'Gladbach, who have gone 0-3-1 since their last series win. Believe it or not, Johnson has only played against Bayern three times. Still without a victory over them, he did help Hoffenheim grab a road draw in Munich last season.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. PSV Eindhoven (Sunday, 8:30 am)
Though enjoying a solid rookie campaign thus far, Rubin will get his most stern test to date when the league-leading Farmers plow into Utrecht. The Red & White Army are 6-1-3 in their last 10 at home, but they've won on just two of PSV's last 21 visits to Galgenwaard. This time, the visitors will arrive on a two-game road losing slide and missing key men Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum and Stijn Schaars.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Southampton, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Germany:
John Brooks – Hertha Berlin vs. Julian Green – Hamburg, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Timmy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Stuttgart, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht vs. Standard Liège, Sun. noon
Norway:
Coach Bob Bradley, Andrew Jacobson, Michael Stephens – Stabaek at Sarpsborg 08, Sun. 9:30 am
Mix Diskerud – Rosenborg vs. Sandnes Ulf, Sun. 9:30 am
Austria:
Conor O'Brien – Wiener Neustadt at Austria Vienna, Sat. 12:30 pm
