AMSTERDAM — American exports get back to European league duty this weekend, with the headline tilt another Merseyside derby pitting Liverpool clubs for Tim Howard. All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Tim Howard (EVE) — Everton vs. Liverpool (Sunday, 9:30 am on ESPN2/ESPN3.com)
The US netminder will look to keep the Toffees in fourth place and extend a five-game EPL unbeaten run, but one of his least favorite Goodison visitors is coming over. Howard has two wins against four defeats in home derbies since joining Everton. The Toffees have lost three straight overall in the series, and this time they won't have the services of midfield ace Marouane Fellaini. Meanwhile, Liverpool plan to run a late fitness test on starting goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timothy Chandler (FCN), Jermaine Jones (S05) — Schalke vs. FC Nürnberg (Saturday, 9:30 am)
Chandler will start at right back for the slumping visitors, who have just one point and two goals to show for their last five outings. It remains to be seen if Jones reclaims a place in the Schalke lineup, what with the club coming off major wins at Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal. Nürnberg have not won in Gelsenkirchen since 1993, with seven losses and three draws in that span.
ITALIAN SERIE A
Michael Bradley (Roma) — AS Roma vs. Udinese (Sunday, 3:45 pm on RAI)
After last week's big rally, the US midfielder looks likely to work off the bench again. The Giallorossi also appear set to rest nicked star Francesco Totti. Roma will go for their third win in a row against a club still searching for top form on the young season. Udinese have won just two of their past 11 road Serie A matches, and have lost six of their last seven at Stadio Olimpico.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Jozy Altidore (AZ) — Vitesse vs. AZ Alkmaar (Sunday, 10:30 am)
The Kaasboeren top gun returns from suspension along with playmaker Adam Maher, but they'll need to do more heavy lifting in attack with Maarten Martens on the shelf. Altidore scored once in last season's two meetings, which extended AZ's unbeaten streak in the series to five. Vitesse, one of two remaining Eredivisie unbeatens on the term, have lost just once in their last 12 at GelreDome. Meanwhile, the Cheese Farmers will be aiming to snap an eight-match win drought away from home.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
Mikkel Diskerud (RBK) — Molde FK vs. Rosenborg (Sunday, 1 pm)
Josh Gatt will miss out for the champs serving a suspension, but Diskerud will be in the mix for this title showdown. With four rounds to play, Rosenborg stand first only by virtue of a sizable lead in goal differential. The midfielder was only on the winning side once in six tries during his time at Stabæk, but his luck could soon change. While Molde did score a 4-3 cup win over RBK at Aker Stadion earlier this year, they have dropped five straight home league contests to the Troll Kids.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj, Aston Villa — vs. Norwich City, Sat. 7:45 am on Fox Soccer
Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel, Tottenham — at Southampton, Sun. 11 am on Fox Soccer Plus
Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu, Stoke City — Sunderland, Sat. 10 am on Fox Soccer 2Go
Spain:
Oguchi Onyewu, Málaga — at Espanyol, Sat. 10 am on beIN Sport
Germany:
Steve Cherundolo, Hannover 96 — vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach, Sun. 1:30 pm
Fabian Johnson, Daniel Williams, Hoffenheim — at Mainz 05, Sat. 9:30 am
Portugal:
Tony Taylor, Estoril — vs. FC Porto, Sun. 3:15 pm on ESPN3.com
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan, Anderlecht — at Charleroi, Sat. noon
Austria:
Terrence Boyd, Rapid Vienna — vs. Red Bull Salzburg, Sun. 10 am
Sweden:
Alejandro Bedoya, Helsingborg — at GAIS, Sun. 9 am
