AMSTERDAM – The top two US goalkeepers will have their hands full this weekend, with Brad Guzan set to host Premier League champions Chelsea and Tim Howard laying out the welcome mat for former employers Manchester United.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa at Chelsea (Saturday, 10 am on USA)
The US backstop is 2-5-0 lifetime against the Blues, who swept last season's series. Guzan has dropped three straight st Stamford Bridge after winning his first start there. Both he and Villa will arrive looking to snap a four-game losing skid, but they are not the only strugglers this time. Chelsea have won but one of their last five EPL matches and have dropped two of three at home.
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Manchester United (Saturday, 10 am on NBCSN)
Howard & Co. will try to extend a strong run against his former club. He's beaten the Red Devils three straight times at Goodison and has led the Toffees to four wins from the last six clashes overall. A victory this weekend would also bring the American back to break-even against United. Though Everton's defense remains without star Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman and John Stones are expected back in the lineup.
DeAndre Yedlin – Sunderland at West Bromwich Albion (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
New manager Sam Allardyce is set for his first match on the Sunderland sideline, but it remains to be seen how he will want to use Yedlin. Allardyce will have defenders Adam Matthews and Younes Kaboul back in action, while Sebastian Coates and Jeremain Lens are out suspended. The Black Cats, who have not won an EPL road game since May, have just one point to show from their last six trips to The Hawthorns.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Fabian Johnson – Borussia Monchengladbach (Saturday, 12:30 pm on FS2)
Both Americans are listed as questionable for this duel, with both managers cautiously confident of their availability. Johnson has managed just two victories in six games against Eintracht, but both came in Frankfurt. Conversely, Chandler is 4-2-1 when facing Gladbach and has yet to lose in three home meetings. The Foals will be without Patrick Hermann and Martin Stranzl for this one.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
A.J. Soares – Viking at Tromso (Sunday, 2 pm)
The visitors stand two points and places shy of the last Europa League slot with four games remaining. Soares has yet to face Tromso, but should be in the heart of defense this time. He wil run up against a home team that is desperate for points. Winless in 10 and without an away victory since April, Tromso are sitting above the relegation zone only on goal differential.
Zarek Valentin – Bodo/Glimt at Rosenborg (Sunday, noon)
The former MLS defender has already helped to stun the league leaders once this season. Another upset would lift the slim title hopes of Bob Bradley's Stabaek, but beating the Troll Kids in their home is quite another thing. Rosenborg have won six straight at the Lerkendaal, and have not lost there in 18 months.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Swansea City, Mon. 3 pm on NBCSN
Germany:
Alfredo Morales – Ingolstadt at Stuttgart, Sun. 11:30 am on Fox Sports 2
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Troyes. Sat. 2 pm
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Roda JC, Sat 2:45 pm on NGSN
Norway:
Ethan Horvath – Molde FK vs. Rhett Bernstein, Erik Hurtado – Mjondalen, Sun. 9:30 am
Coach Bob Bradley, Cole Grossman – Stabaek vs. Aalesunds FK, Sat. noon
