AMSTERDAM–The weekend brings another enticing menu of European fare involving Americans, with Everton's Tim Howard hitting the road in search of his seventh straight Premier League victory over West Ham United.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Guzan
Aston Villa vs. Manchester City
The US netminder will take yet another crack at his 50th overall victory for the Villans, but it won't be easy: Guzan is 1-5 lifetime against the EPL champs, and this time a seven-game losing streak is heaping extra pressure on the cellar dwellers. Looking for a good omen? Sergio Aguero (four goals in the last five meetings) will miss out, along with Samir Nasri, while David Silva is not yet fit enough to go 90 minutes.
Tim Howard
Everton at West Ham United
The Toffees busted a mini-slump against one of Howard's favorite opponents last week and will not try to start a win streak against a club he cruelly dominates. The US star is 12-1-4 against the Hammers in his career, with six straight series victories. Another trend in Everton's favor: West Ham won their last home game, but have not managed two in a row there in nearly a year.
DeAndre Yedlin
Sunderland vs. Southampton
The Black Cats will try to jump out of the danger zone, with Yedlin likely to continue at right back for new boss Sam Allardyce. Sunderland have not lost this home fixture since 2003, posting three wins and three draws since then. Fabio Borini, Younes Kaboul, John O’Shea and Ola Toivonen have all been pronounced fit the hosts, while Southampton will arrive without suspended midfield ace Vincent Wanyama.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach) vs. Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt)
Fresh off his first career Champions League strike, Johnson will get his first look at the Audi boys as 'Gladbach wagers their six-game league winning run. Morales, however, once suffered a tough extra-time cup loss against the Foals back when he was a Hertha man. Both teams have a couple of key absences, but promoted Ingolstadt are nowhere near as deep as the home side. Then again, only Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have won more Bundesliga road games this season.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
Danny Cruz, Zarek Valentin (Bodø/Glimt) vs. Coach Bob Bradley, Cole Grossman (Stabæk)
Bradley says his Stabæk farewell with second place on the line. The Blue Ones need a better result than Strømsgodset records against guests Vålerenga to claim the silver medal. Grossman and Valentin are sure starters, but the recovered Cruz could also see time in the last match of his Philly Union loan. Glimt have already clinched safety, but will probably want to do away with a five-game win drought. These clubs have played to an even 2-2-1 split in the last five at Aspmyra Stadion.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt at Hoffenheim
Jerome Kiesewetter – Stuttgart at Bayern Munich
Sat. 9:30 am on GolTV/FS1
Norway:
Alex DeJohn – IK Start vs. Ethan Horvath – Molde FK
A.J. Soares (Viking) vs. Erik Hurtado (Mjøndalen)
Scotland:
Gedion Zelalam – Rangers vs. Alloa Athletic
