AMSTERDAM – After helping Belgian leaders Anderlecht claw back from three down for a Champions league draw at Arsenal in midweek, Sacha Kljestan will put his unbeaten series record against Gent to the test when the second-place challengers visit Brussels.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland vs. Tim Howard – Everton (Sunday, 8:30 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The Everton backstop is heating up, with four shutouts in his last five overall games. How much of US teammate Altidore he will see on Sunday remains to be seen, with the Sunderland striker still after his first league start of the campaign. Howard is 9-2-3 lifetime against Sunderland with eight clean sheets, but those two defeats have come in the last three clashes. Altidore, meanwhile, has an assist in three meetings with the Toffees 'keeper, with his teams taking two of three.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa at West Ham United (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The US netminder and his teammates will carry a six-game losing streak, Villa's longest in EPL play in 40 years, to London to face one of his former transfer suitors. Guzan has an even 1-1-1 record against the fifth-placed Hammers, who will enter this contest unbeaten in four. The Villains, who will be without suspended top gun Christian Benteke, have gone 2-2-3 in their last seven at West Ham.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timmy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Bayern Munich (Saturday, 9:30 am on GolTV)
Chandler is expected to take up right back in hopes of participating in his first career win over Bayern on his eighth career try. Eintracht will take the field with three straight losses in league play and they've gone winless in the last three at home against the Bavarians. Both sides have long injury lists, with the champs expected to go without the likes of David Alaba, Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar at NAC Breda (Saturday, 2:45 pm)
The forward will aim to open his season account against the Yellow Army, who are 3-0-2 in the last five Breda meetings. Jóhannsson has scored a goal in two matches against NAC, but will run without playmakers Steven Berghuis and Markus Henriksen this time. Despite scoring 10 times in the last five games, AZ has won just one of them thanks to a suddenly leaky defense.
BELGIAN JUPILER LEAGUE
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Gent (Sunday, 8:30 am)
With Belgium star Steven Defour still sidelined, Kljestan will likely retain his midfield place from the thrilling midweek rally draw at Arsenal. The American has never been on the losing side of a match against Gent, notching a goal and two assists as Anderlecht won 11 of those 14 meetings. Though the Buffaloes stand a point behind the champs in second place, they have lost nine in a row at the Constant Vanden Stock and haven't won there in 14 years.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
Mix Diskerud – Rosenborg vs. Strømsgodset (Sunday, noon)
Mix and the Troll Kids have a chance to claim the silver medal on closing day, but they will need a victory and a little help from already-crowned champions Molde FK against second-placed Odds BK. Diskerud has two assist in eight career tilts against outgoing champs Strømsgodset, with his teams going 3-1-4. Rosenborg have won five straight, as well as four of an unbeaten last six home games in this series.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Tottenham, Sun. 8:30 am on NBCSN
Germany:
Julian Green – Hamburg at Wolfsburg, Sun. 9:30 am on GolTV
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Mönchengladbach at Borussia Dortmund, Sun. 11:30 am on GolTV
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Caen, Sun. 2 pm on beIN Sport Connect
Norway:
Bob Bradley (head coach), Andrew Jacobsen, Michael Stephens – Stabæk at Sogndal, Sun. noon
Zarek Valentin – Bodø/Glimt vs. Viking, Sun. noon
Greg Seltzer covers Americans based in Europe for MLSsoccer.com.
