AMSTERDAM – Timothy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt have the unenviable weekend task of trying to boost their Europa League hopes on a visit to visiting league-leading Bundesliga holders Bayern Munich.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Friedel, DeAndre Yedlin
– Tottenham vs.
Brad Guzan
– Aston Villa (Saturday, 10 am on NBCSN)
While Friedel will back up stand-in starter Michel Vorm for Spurs, Guzan gets to stare down one of his least favorite opponents on either side of the Atlantic. Spurs have beaten him in all five meetings, bagging 13 goals while conceding but one. It's not just him, though; Villa have dropped six straight in the series and haven't won at White Hart Lane since 2000. Meanwhile, with Kyle Walker out, Yedlin has been named to Tottenham's provisional squad.
Tim Howard – Everton at Swansea City (Saturday, 7:45 am on Premier League Extra Time)
With three straight wins under his belt, Howard invades Liberty Stadium, where is he 3-0 in EPL play. In fact, the American has yet to lose a league game to Swansea, going 5-0-2 with five shutouts. However, we won't know until game time if he will have offensive support from doubtful strike star Romelu Lukaku for this contest.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt at Bayern Munich (Saturday, 9:30 am on GolTV)
The Eintracht right back has yet to taste victory against FC Hollywood, with just two draws in eight meetings. The visitors stand just four points out of a Europa League place, but must deal with a Bayern steamroller that saw its 18-match unbeaten run at Allianz Arena end the last time out at home. The good news is Chandler & Co. won't need to deal with the likes of Diego Benatia, Javi Martinez, Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben and Basti Schweinsteiger on Saturday.
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+)
The US winger may start from the bench, but it will be all hands on deck against a BvB side that is now fully awakened from its early-season slumber. Johnson has one goal and a 2-2-6 lifetime record against Dortmund. Mönchengladbach has enjoyed a good recent run in this traditionally skin-tight series, as exemplified by a 3-0-2 record in the last five at home to their regional rivals. They also come into this one having won six straight league tilts at Stadion im BORUSSIA-PARK, the last four by shutout.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Saint-Étienne (Sunday, 8 am on TV5 Monde/beIN Sports Connect)
Fresh off a losing-cause goal last round, Bedoya will likely start in an attempt to celebrate his first win against Les Verts. Saint-Étienne swept the series last season and then grabbed a scoreless draw in Nantes back in November. Going back further, they are 4-0-1 with three shutouts from the Canaries' most recent five flights over. On the other hand, the hosts do have a troubling injury list this time.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at West Ham United, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Netherlands:
Aron Johannsson – AZ Alkmaar at Heerenveen, Sat. 1:45 pm
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht at ADO Den Haag, Sun. 10:45 am
Norway:
Rhett Bernstein – Mjøndalen at Strømsgodset, Sat. noon
Coach Bob Bradley, Cole Grossman – Stabæk at Odds BK, Sun. noon
Zarek Valentin – Bodø/Glimt vs. Molde FK, Sat. 9:30 am
