AMSTERDAM – The Bundesliga will emerge from its winter slumber this weekend, with Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt looking to gain ground in the race for Europe when they visit Freiburg.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa at Arsenal (Sunday, 8:30 am on NBCSN/Mun2)
Having won his first EPL game against the Gunners in London last season, Guzan will try to end Villa's seven-game league win drought at the Emirates on Sunday. His teammates could certainly help him out by scoring for the first time in 497 league minutes. For Arsenal, star man Alexis Sánchez will probably join Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere in missing out due to injury.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timmy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt at Freiburg (Saturday, 10 am on MyGermanTV+)
The US right back will be hoping to experience his first taste of victory over Freiburg on his sixth try. Eintracht have enjoyed considerably better luck against the southern rivals, posting a 5-2-3 record from the last 10 clashes. They are also unbeaten in four at Schwarzwald-Stadion, but will be forced to do battle without netminder Felix Wiedwald, Constant Djakpa and Nelson Valdez this time.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes v. Lille (Saturday, 2 pm)
With Serge Gakpé suspended and the team fresh off a Monaco whooping with him out of the lineup, it seems likely Bedoya will start. It would be a fine time for the American to bag his first career goal or assist against Lille, what with the Canaries having been shut out in four of their last five games across all competitions and their last three in league play. Though among the best defensive teams in Ligue 1, the visitors, who have won the last two at Stade de la Beaujoire, have some injury woes at the back and their own season-long problems with scoring.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar v. Heracles (Sunday, 10:45 am)
With but one victory in four, the Cheese Farmers will aim to get back on the winning track. Jóhannsson scored a brace in the home win over Heracles last season, while being shut out in the away loss. The weekend visitors have never won a league match at AZ, who have taken four of their last five overall games at AFAS-Stadion. Midfieler Viktor Elm remains in recovery bay for the hosts.
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht v. PEC Zwolle (Sunday, 8:30 am)
The rookie standout should be back in the lineup as Utrecht's attack remains without the key duo of Ruud Boymans and Tommy Oar, but the visiting Blauwvingers are also dealing with a long list of absences. It will be Rubin's first look at the northerners, as he sat out an opening day away loss with an injury. The Red-and-White are just 1-2-3 in their last six battles with Zwolle.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City v. Queens Park Rangers, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Germany:
John Brooks – Hertha Berlin at Werder Bremen, Sun. 9:30 am on GolTV
Julian Green – Hamburg v. FC Cologne, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Moenchengladbach at Stuttgart, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
