AMSTERDAM – Brad Guzan and Aston Villa are set for this weekend's headline-grabbing battle involving Americans stationed in Europe when regularly rude guests Liverpool come to town on Saturday.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Leicester City (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The US international was injured when the Foxes took the season's first meeting, but he worked right back for an FA Cup win over Saturday's hosts last year. Cameron should be in the same position when the Potters try to snap a 14-game EPL win drought in Leicester, where they have not won a game of any kind since 1995. It remains to be seen Leicester's record signing, Croatia striker Andrej Kramarić, will be cleared in time to trouble the visitors.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Villa will carry a six-game winless streak into battle against Liverpool, but don't blame Guzan. While he has conceded just four times in that span, his teammates have managed a grand total of one goal. The American is 0-3 against the Reds at home, but a shutout victory in this season's prior meeting lifted his lifetime record against them to 2-1-3. Again, the problem does not begin with Guzan. The Villans have won just one series clash in the last 15 at home.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Monaco (Saturday, 2 pm on beIN Sport Connect)
Bedoya & Co. return from the holiday pause with a chance to pass fifth-placed Monaco. It is not a far-fetched notion, as Nantes have compiled a very respectable 4-4-1 record in their last nine Ligue 1 contests in the Principality. Bedoya has a goal in his three games against Monaco – in fact, the lone goal produced by the Canaries in the three losses. The away offense could have an easier go of it this time, with defensive midfielders Geoffrey Kondogbia and Jérémy Toulalan expected to miss out.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar vs. Dordrecht (Saturday, 1:45 pm)
Standing just outside the European places, Jóhannsson and the Kaasboeren welcome hapless cellar dwellers Dordrecht to AFAS-Stadion. The US forward will be getting his first look at the Sheep Heads, who have not beaten AZ since taking a second division match back in 1997. They have also leaked 10 goals in the last three meetings, including a 3-1 AZ decision back in August. However, Viktor Elm and Markus Henriksen will be missing from the AZ midfield in this one.
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Heerenveen (Sunday, 8:30 am)
The rookie standout is likely to continue in the striker's role, what with Ruud Boymans still on the mend. Rubin will need to do business without top Utrecht winger Tommy Oar, who is away on Asian Cup duty with Australia. Both teams have a struggle to fight through: Utrecht have lost four of five at home, while Heerenveen have won but one of their last 10. Providing a good omen, Utrecht have won the last three at Galgenwaard by a combined 7-2 count.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
DeAndre Yedlin – Tottenham vs. Sunderland, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht vs. Lierse, Sun. 8:30 am
