AMSTERDAM – Most European-based Americans will be playing in their friendly confines this weekend, with AZ Alkmaar forward Aron Jóhannsson set for his first Eredivisie start of the season against Excelsior.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Tottenham (Sunday, 11 am, NBCSN)
Nobody needs a win more than the former Chivas USA star, who has dropped five straight decisions while getting precisely zero goals from the Villains attack in support. Guzan is also winless in four career games vs. Tottenham. Something has to give somewhere, as Spurs are winless in four on the road overall, but 5-0-2 in their last seven competitive matches at Villa Park.
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Swansea City (Saturday, 10 am, Premier League Extra Time)
The Toffees backstop will welcome one of his favorite EPL opponents to Goodison Park. Howard has a 5-0-1 record in league matches against Swansea with four shutouts. The Swans did finally post their first-ever win of any kind against the American in last year's Capital One Cup. It was also their first triumph in 15 all-time tries against Everton. Consecutive victories have lifted Howard & Co. to ninth place, and another could take them as high as fifth.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Hoffenheim (Sunday, 11:30 am on GolTV)
It remains to be seen if the US international will continue working from the bench against his former employers. Before joining Hoffenheim, Johnson notched a goal and two assists in three games against them. Both sides are among the last three unbeatens in the Bundesliga and level on 17 points, with 'Gladbach higher up in second place on goal differential. However, Hoffenheim have lost just one of the last six meetings between the two and have earned an even 2-2-2 split in their last six at Borussia-Park.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Rennes (Sunday, 8 am on beIN Sport Connect)
Bedoya has missed a pair of matches due to a hamstring knock, but the Canaries fully expect him back for the home derby. The road team won each of last season's clashes, and Rennes are 3-0-1 in the last four at Stade de la Beaujoire. This time, though, they will arrive without attacking ace Ola Toivonen.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar vs. Excelsior (Sunday, 8:30 am)
After making his return in midweek cup action, Jóhannsson has pronounced himself ready for a full shift in his first league game of the term. The US international has 14 goals in 17 career league games at AFAS-Stadion, but he's never faced Excelsior. His return comes at a good time; the Cheese Farmers, who have won just one of six Eredivisie home matches without the American, still remain without playmaker Steven Berghuis.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland at Crystal Palace, Mon. 3 pm on NBCSN/Mun2
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City vs. West Ham United, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Germany:
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin at Paderborn, Sun. 11:30 am
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt at Hannover 96, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Julian Green – Hamburg vs. Bayer Leverkusen, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Vitesse, Sun. 6:30 am
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht vs. Lokeren, Sat. 8:30 am
Norway:
Bob Bradley (head coach), Andrew Jacobson, Michael Stephens – Stabæk vs. FK Haugesund, Sun. noon
Mikkel Diskerud – Rosenborg at Odd BK, Sun. noon
Austria:
Conor O'Brien – Wiener Neustadt vs. SV Groedig, Sat. 12:30 pm
