AMSTERDAM – While many Americans set to clock in for club duty overseas this weekend will be laying out the welcome mat, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa will stage a daring Premier League raid on Old Trafford.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa at Manchester United (Saturday, 10 am on NBCSN)
The US No. 1 has yet to beat the Red Devils in six tries, but got his first career point against them with a 1-1 draw back in December. Villa have lost four straight at Old Trafford by a combined 14-2 tally. Guzan won't have to face the injured Robin van Persie this time, and could regain backline marshal Ron Vlaar.
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Southampton (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The Toffees backstop will try to post his first three-game win streak in nearly a year against a club that has beaten him twice in a row. Those were away, however, and Howard emerged victorious from his only Goodison Park start against the Saints. Sixth-place Southampton will arrive unbeaten in three, but without top netminder Fraser Forster.
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Chelsea (Saturday, 12:30 pm on NBC)
The Potters are fully fit again, so it remains to be seen where or if Cameron turns up on the lineup card. Thus far, Stoke are 0-3 at Chelsea when the American plays. The visitors must tackle the league leaders to halt a two-game losing slide if they wish to keep their slim Europa League hopes alive. They may have a better shot if EPL top gun Diego Costa fails a late fitness check.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Johannsson – AZ Alkmaar vs. Feyenoord (Sunday, 6:30 am)
The US forward and his AZ teammates will take direct aim at the automatic Europa League invite when they host third-place Feyenoord. Johannsson has two goals in two games against the Rotterdam crew, both of which were away draws. Feyenoord are frequently rather rude guests at AFAS-Stadion, having compiled a 3-3-4 record from their last 10 visits.
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Ajax (Sunday, 6:30 am)
After scoring against NAC for the second time on the season in the last Eredivisie round, Rubin will set his sights on a title-chasing Ajax side that conceded a goal to him in
their
prior meeting. Fellow attacker Nacer Barazite has joined striker Ruud Boymans in the injury ward, so the American could go back to the No. 10 slot. Utrecht have edged out a 3-1-2 record in their last six against the champs at Galgenwaard.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin vs. Paderborn, Sun. 11:30 am on GolTV
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Hannover 96, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Moenchengladbach at Hoffenheim, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Caen, Sun. 11 am
Norway:
Rhett Bernstein – Mjøndalen vs. Viking, Mon. 9:30 am
Cole Grossman, Coach Bob Bradley – Stabæk vs. FK Haugesund, Mon. noon
Zarek Valentin
– Bodø/Glimt at Sandefjord, Mon. noon
Sweden:
Heath Pearce – IFK Göteborg vs. Åtvidaberg, Sun. 9 am
