AMSTERDAM – Another big weekend of European tilts involving Americans has arrived, with Timothy Chandler and FC Nürnberg wagering their first win streak of the season against Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Jozy Altdore – Sunderland vs. Hull City (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Now that Altidore's improvement in form has helped his team climb out of the drop zone, he will want to ramp up production against his former loan employers. He will likely start against Hull, who have dropped three straight and nine of 12 EPL road games. They've also lost all three EPL meetings and 10 of 11 since 1974 at Sunderland. Lee Cattermole and Steven Fletcher remain out for the Black Cats.
Clint Dempsey – Fulham at Manchester United (Sunday, 11 am on USA Network/Mun2)
The man they call Deuce has scored in his last two games against United, but has never hit the mark against them as a Cottager. It might normally seem like the worst time for cellar-dwellers to face the champs, but Man. United are currently struggling in seventh place. In fact, the Red Devils have lost five of nine overall at Old Trafford. Nevertheless, Fulham last won there in 2003 and have fallen on 22 of their last 25 visits.
Tim Howard – Everton at Tottenham (Sunday, 8:30 am on USA Network)
Barring an unforeseen circumstance, there will be no clash of American goaltending greats, with Brad Friedel set to serve as Spurs backup. Howard has a winning career record at Tottenham, but is winless in his last five at White Hart Lane. Still, the US No. 1 has lost only once in his last seven overall against their Sunday hosts. Gerard Deulofeu returns for Everton, who stand a point ahead in the table before this clash of clubs trying to break the top four. Sky-scraping loan signing Lacina Traoré could start for injured Toffees top gun Romelu Lukaku.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timothy Chandler – FC Nürnberg vs. Bayern Munich (Saturday, 9:30 am on GolTV)
They bagged their first win, and then they jumped out of the bottom three. Now, Chandler & Co. will try to move clear of the trap door against Europe's treble holders. Lest anyone hope for a hungover FC Hollywood, the champs will arrive unbeaten in league play for the season, with 11 straight wins powered by 35 goals. In-form FCN right back Chandler has yet to taste victory in six tries against Bayern, but may be feeling hopeful with usual wing nemesis Franck Ribéry and Bastian Schweinsteiger among the missing for this contest.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Juan Agudelo – FC Utrecht at RKC Waalwijk (Sunday, 8:30 am)
After an equalizing assist and a picturesque opening goal in his first two home games for Utrecht, Agudelo will try to take the show on the road. With much of his loan side's attack stable in the recovery bay, he could start for the third time in eight days. The winner at RKC will move clear of the relegation zone. Last season's 4-0 loss was Utrecht's first in the last seven at Waalwijk, but this time they come in with five losses from a six-match Eredivisie win drought.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Southampton, Sat. | 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. West Ham United, Sat. | 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Germany:
John Anthony Brooks (probable) – Hertha Berlin at Hamburg, Sat. | 12:30 pm
Fabian Johnson – Hoffenheim at Freiburg, Sat. | 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Netherlands:
Aron Jóhannsson (doubtful) – AZ Alkmaar At Go Ahead Eagles, Sat. | 1:45 pm
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Kortrijk, Sat. | noon
