AMSTERDAM – Reading midfielder Daniel WIlliams will have a rare opportunity this weekend, with the visitors set to take a shot at their first FA Cup semifinal appearance since 1927 against third-flight upset specialists Bradford City.
All times listed in ET.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt at FC Cologne (Sunday, 9:30 am)
The Eintracht right back will be a key player against a Goats team that gets much of their offense from the left side. Chandler owns a 3-0 career record against FC Cologne; celebrating a fourth win could potentially move the visitors to within a point of the last Europa League place. However, the Frankfurt boys are winless in their last five away from home and haven't posted a "W" at RheinEnergieStadion since 1994.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Reims (Saturday, 2 pm)
The US attacker returns after missing two games with an illness. As such, it seems likely he would begin the day on the bench, though the absence of winger Johan Audel could change that. Bedoya missed the October meeting, but took part in both of last season's scoreless draws. Nantes are 1-0-3 with just one goal allowed in the last four clashes, but have only won one of five at Reims.
ENGLISH FA CUP
Brad Guzan
– Aston Villa vs. West Bromwich Albion (Saturday, 12:30 am on Fox Soccer Plus)
One would normally assume Shay Given will resume his role as cup 'keeper, but interim Villa boss Tim Sherwood could be skittish about change after Guzan backstopped the club to its first win in 12 games against this same West Brom side in midweek. The US No. 1 is 2-1-3 lifetime in derbies against the Baggies, with both victories coming at home. Villa, who are after their first semifinal trip to Wembley since 2010, have dropped just one of their last 14 home clashes with West Brom.
Daniel Williams – Reading at Bradford City (Saturday, 7:30 am on Fox Sports 1)
The American may return to the lineup when Reading try to reach the FA Cup semifinals for the first time in 88 years. It will be Williams' first look at Chelsea and Sunderland executioners Bradford and the Royals haven't faced them for over a decade. Obviously not to be taken lightly, the League One Bantams also won their only FA Cup tilt against Reading. The visitors will hand a late fitness test to top scorer Simon Cox.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Aron Johannsson – AZ Alkmaar (Sunday, 10:45 am)
It is certainly possible neither US attacker will start, but both are good bets to see some action. Jóhannsson has two goals in four career games against the Red-and-White Army, but AZ won only one of them and both his strikes came at home. Rubin (pictured at right) notched an assist in a surprising 3-0 triumph in December's Alkmaar meeting, but Utrecht have only won one of eight since. The Cheese Farmers, on the other hand, have taken the points in five of six and stand just six points shy of a Champions League berth.
SWEDISH SVENSKA CUPEN
Matt Pyzdrowski – Helsingborg vs. Halmstads BK (Sunday, 8 am)
The offseason acquisition will make his third straight group phase start, with the hosts needing a draw or better to reach the cup quarterfinals. With incumbent starter Pär Hansson on the injury shelf, Pyzdrowski will attempt to keep the Reds on course for their sixth Svenska Cupen crown and fourth in the last decade, as well as the Europa League place that comes with it. Halmstad did sweep the Allsvenskan season series in 2014, snapping an eight-game win drought in the series.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
Fabian Johnson
– Borussia Mönchengladbach at Mainz 05, Sun. 12:30 pm on GolTV
Austria:
Conor O'Brien – Wiener Neustadt vs. Admira Moedling, Sat. 12:30 pm
Sweden (Svenska Cupen):
Heath Pearce – IFK Göteborg vs. Ljungskile, Sun. 8 am
