AMSTERDAM – European league action will have Americans hitting the road this weekend, with Aron Johannsson and AZ Alkmaar aiming to leapfrog Eredivisie hosts Zwolle into a Europa League place.
All times listed in ET.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Montpellier (Saturday, 2 pm on beIN Sport Connect)
Freshened up by being left out of their midweek cup lineup, the American should return to the fold when the Canaries try to leapfrog the streaking hosts. Montpellier may be 3-0-2 in their last five league outings, but they have yet to defeat Bedoya in three tries. At the same time, Nantes' only victory at Stade de la Mosson came back in 1999.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Johannsson – AZ Alkmaar at PEC Zwolle (Saturday, 1:45 pm)
The US forward will hope to get back in the lineup when AZ invade IJsseldelta Stadion. Jóhannsson is 3-0 lifetime against Zwolle, with one goal. The Cheese Farmers can take hold of the automatic Europa League slot with a victory over the slightly dinged-up hosts, but they will need to do it without midfielder Viktor Elm. Earnie Stewart's boys have won five straight in the series, including the last two away.
Rubio Rubin
– FC Utrecht at FC Groningen (Sunday, 6:30 am)
With top striker Ruud Boymans still out, the impressive rookie should remain "in de spits" (in the center forward role) when Utrecht travel to the typically intimidating Euroborg. Groningen have not lost a domestic home game since March, but the Red-and-White Army have managed a 2-3-1 record from their last six visits. Utrecht are also missing wing ace Tommy Oar, who is on Asian Cup duty with Australia.
BELGIAN JUPILER LEAGUE
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Standard Liege (Sunday, 8:30 am)
After starring in their midweek cup win, Kljestan stands a chance of keeping the place for another heated Standard derby. The American has one goal in nine career games against Les Rouches, with the Mauves enjoying a 3-2-4 edge in those meetings. In addition to several African Cup of Nations absences, Anderlecht has midfielder Youri Tielemans carrying a knock while new loan arrival Marko Marin is not registered for league play yet. For the hosts, it will be the final appearance of defender Laurent Ciman before he joins the Montreal Impact.
ENGLISH FA CUP
Tim Ream – Bolton at Liverpool (Sat. 12:30 pm on Fox Sports 2)
The Wanderers left back will get his first look at both the Reds and Anfield Road with this fourth-round contest. Four-time winners Bolton have not won the FA Cup in 57 years, but they have reached the round-of-16 three of the last five years, including a semifinal run in 2011. The upset-minded visitors will arrive having lost just one of five on the road, but they've also lost 10 straight at Liverpool, with their last win there coming in 1954.
BEST OF THE REST
England (FA Cup):
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Rochdale, Mon. 3 pm on Fox Sports 2
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Bournemouth, Sat. 10 am
Jonathan Spector (probable) – Birmingham City vs. West Bromwich Albion, Sat. 10 am
Daniel Williams – Reading at Cardiff City, Sat. 10 am
