AMSTERDAM – The weekend brings another tasty menu of European fare involving Americans, with John Anthony Brooks and Hertha Berlin battening down the hatches for the arrival of Bundesliga conquerors Bayern Munich.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Watford (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The US netminder will take another shot at racking up his 50th victory for Villa, a result that would also kill their 11-game EPL win drought. Guzan has yet to face Watford as a Villan, but beat them in his only try while on loan to Hull. The Hornets have never won in Birmingham, dropping five of seven by a combined 17-4 tally.
Tim Howard – Everton at Bournemouth (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
While the Toffees own a 3-0 lifetime record against Bournemouth, it will be the first time Howard gets a look at the promoted side. The last meeting (back in 1985) also marked the only meeting at Dean Court, a 2-0 Everton victory. The visitors will again try to hand a season debut to star fullback Leighton Baines, while the Cherries are sweating the fitness of starting 'keeper Artur Boruc.
DeAndre Yedlin – Sunderland vs. Geoff Cameron – Stoke City (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
With Billy Jones suspended, Yedlin is likely to return to the Black Cats lineup. Cameron will start for the visitors, who are aiming for their second three-game win streak of the EPL season. He is 1-3-1 in his career against the Saturday hosts. Stoke traditionally do not enjoy visiting the Stadium of Light; they have not won a league contest there since 1994 and have not taken a first-division match at Sunderland for 33 years.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin at Bayern Munich (Saturday, 9:30 am on Fox Sports 1)
While it is true that Hertha have dropped all three of their clashes against mighty Bayern with Brooks in the lineup, he did help them test the champs mightily in a pair of slim 1-0 losses last season. The defender has averaged eight clearances and three pass picks per meeting with FC Hollywood. This time, he will not need to deal with the injured attacking trio of Douglas Costa, Mario Gotze and Franck Ribery.
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Monchengladbach at Hoffenheim (Saturday, 9:30 am on Fox Sports 2)
The Foals' left winger has a goal and three assists in four games against his former employers, and a 3-1 series record that includes a sweep last season. Johnson & Co. are red-hot, with a 10-game unbeaten run across all competitions and seven wins from their last eight league tilts. The last place guests, however, have not won in two months.
BEST OF THE REST
England (Championship):
Jonathan Spector – Birmingham City at Brighton & Hove Albion, Sat. 10 am on beIN Sports Connect
Germany:
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt at Mainz 05, Sat. 9:30 am on Fox Soccer 2GO
Alfredo Morales – Ingolstadt at Hannover 96, Sat. 9:30 am on Fox Soccer 2GO
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Bastia, Sat. 2 pm on beIN Sports Connect
Bulgaria:
Bjorn Maars Johnsen – Litex Lovech vs. Botev Plovdiv, Sat. 9:30 am
Scotland (Scottish Challenge Cup semifinal):
Gedion Zelalam – Rangers vs. St. Mirren, Sat. 7:15 am on Fox Soccer Plus
