AMSTERDAM – The weekend brings another healthy helping of top-flight European action involving Americans, with Aston Villa's Brad Guzan set to stare down EPL table-toppers Chelsea and FC Utrecht rookie Rubio Rubin slated to visit Dutch leaders PSV Eindhoven.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 10 am on NBCSN/Mun2)
Considering that Villa have lost three straight EPL games, haven't scored in 612 minutes and haven't won in eight, it may seem a solidly wrong time to welcome the clear league leaders. However, Guzan has won a respectable two of six against the Blues and shut them out at home last season. The US netminder could also get recovered backline marshal Ron Vlaar back in defense, while EPL top scorer Diego Costa sits out for Chelsea due to suspension.
Geoff Cameron
– Stoke City at Newcastle (Sunday, 9 am on NBCSN)
The Stoke handyman may be drafted back into defense with skipper Ryan Shawcross and Erik Pieters ruled out. Cameron is 2-2 against the Magpies, with both losses coming away. The visitors' offense is also hobbled, with Bojan Krcic out and top scorer Jonathan Walters in doubt. The Potters will invade St. James' Park having gone 6-1-1 in their last eight across all competitions, but they've also lost their last three at Newcastle.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin at Mainz 05 (Saturday, 9:30 am)
With both Johnny Heitinga and Sebastian Langenkamp on the long Hertha injury list, the young American will almost certainly return to the lineup for this one. Brooks has only faced Mainz once up until now, a 3-1 home defeat earlier this season. Despite all that is going against the next-to-last place capital crew these days, they always look forward to visiting Mainz; Hertha are 4-1-9 in their last 14 games there.
Timothy Chandler
– Eintracht Frankfurt at Augsburg (Sunday, 11:30 am)
Back from a one-game yellow cards ban, Chandler seems likely to reclaim his usual right-back spot (as opposed to the opposite side he took up before the suspension) for a game away to the league's surprise package. Augsburg will enter play holding the last Champions League slot and a three-game win streak, as well a four-match unbeaten run in this series. Though he's yet to face them as an Eintracht man, Chandler is 2-1-2 lifetime in games against the weekend hosts.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Rubio Rubin
– FC Utrecht at PSV Eindhoven (Saturday, 2:45 pm)
Both sides are a bit dinged up this week, but Rubin's main concern is the continued absence of Ruud Boymans, which makes for a good chance the youngster will work the No. 9 role. The American played 32 minutes off the bench in a 5-1 lesson taught by PSV in Utrecht just before last Halloween. Utrecht have not gained a point in Eindhoven since 1996 and haven't won there in 35 years. Meanwhile, the league leaders have won eight straight league contests and 11 in a row at Philips Stadion.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
Julian Green – Hamburg vs. Hannover 96, Sat. 12:30 pm on GolTV
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Nice, Sun. 11 am on beIN Sport Connect
Netherlands:
Aron Johannsson (doubtful) – AZ Alkmaar at Groningen, Sun. 10:45 am
