AMSTERDAM – On a weekend filled with key European contests involving Americans, Fabian Johnson and Borussia Moenchengladbach will try to snap a 26-year home jinx against Bayer Leverkusen in order to secure a group stage spot in the UEFA Champions League.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City vs. DeAndre Yedlin – Tottenham (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
While Cameron will likely return to the Stoke squad (if not the starting lineup) following a small hamstring complaint, local speculation says Spurs could hand Yedlin his first start when they try to keep their slim edge in the race for the last Europa League invite. Tottenham have turned into very rude guests at the Britannia in recent years, winning five of the last seven meetings there.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. West Ham United (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The hosts stand three places and two points above the relegation zone ahead of this contest. Villa boss Tim Sherwood is again being coy over who will start in goal after Shay Given closed last week's win in shaky fashion. Guzan (right) is 1-1-2 lifetime against West Ham, with two shutouts. The Villans have not scored in the last three overall meetings between the two and lost for the first time in seven series clashes at home last season.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin at Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+)
After a pair of tough late losses to Bayern and 'Gladbach, Brooks & Co. can still clinch survival with games to spare by winning in Dortmund. Not so long ago, that would be hoping on a rare occurrence, but Hertha have won the last two at BvB. The American and his friends at the back will not need to deal with the likes of Jakub Blaszczykowski, Kevin Grosskreutz, Marco Reus and Nuri Sahin this time over, with all four Dortmund stars nursing injuries.
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+)
The Foals can all but clinch a group phase pass for the next edition of the Champions League with a win over fourth-place Leverkusen. Johnson (right) is expected to keep his starting place on the left wing as 'Gladbach chase their ninth straight league win at home. However, Leverkusen typically give all they can handle in this derby fixture; the Bayer boys have incredibly gone unbeaten in Monchengladbach since 1989, a span of 20 games.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Johannsson – AZ Alkmaar vs. NAC Breda (Sunday, 8:30 am on NGSN)
The US forward will try to help AZ push for the automatic Europa League slot. They stand three points adrift of third-place Feyenoord with two games left. Johannsson bagged an insurance tally in his lone AFAS-Stadion outing against NAC last season. The Yellow Army used to struggle at AZ, but have gone 4-2-2 in their last eight visits. Top scorer Nemanja Gudelj (a former NAC man, like AZ technical director Earnie Stewart) is suspended for the hosts.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
Coach Bob Bradley, Cole Grossman – Stabak at Valerenga (Saturday, 2 pm)
It's still early, but Bradley has his boys stirring some excitement with a six-game overall win streak and the stingiest defense in Norway. Grossman (right) has a hot hand, bagging two goals in their run of four straight shutout victories in league play. Now, the away derby has come along to test them. The Blue Ones have managed to win two of the last five at Valerenga, who feature former Colorado Rapids forward Deshorn Brown (three goals this season), but Bradley went 0-2 against them last term.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Sunderland, Sat. 7:45 am on Premier League Extra Time
Germany:
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Hoffenheim, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Bordeaux, Sat. 2 pm on beIN Sports Connect
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Excelsior, Sun. 8:30 am on NGSN
Austria:
Conor O'Brien – Wiener Neustadt vs. SV Groedig, Sat. 6:30 am
Norway:
Alex DeJohn – IK Start at Molde FK, Sun. 2 pm
A.J. Soares – Viking vs. Odd Ballklubb, Sun. noon
Zarek Valentin – Bodø/Glimt vs. Strømsgodset, Sun. noon
