AMSTERDAM – As one of several Americans returning to club life overseas for a home tilt this weekend, in-form Everton netminder Tim Howard will be after his fourth league shutout when early Premiership surprise West Ham United come to town.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Southampton (Monday, 3 pm on NBCSN/Mun2)
The US backstop will try to halt a seven-match EPL win drought against a second place side he's only beaten once in four tries. Guzan did blank the Saints in a Villa Park draw last season, but they have managed a 3-4-3 record in their last 10 visits. The Villans will be without backline marshal Ron Vlaar and suspended hit man Christian Benteke for this match.
Tim Howard – Everton vs. West Ham United (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The bearded one, fresh off snaring a second US Soccer Male Athlete of the Year prize, will welcome one of his favorite opponents to Goodison. Howard has four straight wins against the Hammers, and is unbeaten in 13 overall games against them. Going further back, Everton have dropped just three of the last 26 meetings. It may be tougher this time, as fourth-place West Ham haven't lost since September and will arrive fully fit.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Timmy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt (Saturday, 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+)
Johnson could work from the bench when the Foals attempt to recover from their first defeat of the campaign, but Chandler should start at right back for the visitors. The Eintracht man scored the winner in the last clash with Johnson, a 4-0 Nürnberg victory over Hoffenheim last season. Johnson, meanwhile, has three assists in four career Bundesliga games against his US teammate. As for the series between the teams, 'Gladbach have won four of the last five at home.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Saint Etienne (Sunday, 8 am)
It is unclear if Bedoya will start, as he often comes off the bench upon returning to the Canaries from USMNT work. The attacker appeared in both losses to Saint-Étienne last season. Prior to that, the visitors had won but one of eight at Stade de la Beaujoir. Les Verts will arrive for play unbeaten in seven across all competitions, while Nantes haven't lost in nine overall matches.
DUTCH EREDVISIE
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar vs. Vitesse (Sunday, 12:30 pm)
The goal watch continues for Jóhannsson, who is scoreless for five league games, his longest drought with AZ. The US forward has a goal in two matches against Vitesse. The sixth-place Cheese Farmers have settled for three straight draws at home. However, they are 3-0-1 in the last four AFAS-Stadion meetings with Vitesse and unbeaten in nine series matches overall.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland at Leicester City, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City vs. Burnley, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Germany:
John Brooks – Hertha Berlin at FC Cologne, Sat. 12:30 pm on GolTV
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Cambuur, Sat. 10:45 am
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Charleroi, Sat. noon
