AMSTERDAM – This weekend's European slate will bring the expected return of Nantes midfielder Alejandro Bedoya, as well as the fifth Premier League duel between Brad Guzan's win-starved Aston Villa and Tim Howard's Everton.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Geoff Cameron
Stoke City at Southampton (377256949" tabindex="0">Saturday; 377256950" tabindex="0">10 am ET on Premier League Extra Time)
The Stoke defender scored his first win in five tries against the Saints late last season. Starting a series win streak could take Stoke into the top 10 and would mark their fourth win in their last five away games. In fact, Cameron & Co. have posted four straight road shutouts across all competitions. However, the Potters have not won an EPL match at St. Mary's since 1980 (five years before the US international was born).
Tim Howard and Brad Guzan
Everton vs. Aston Villa (377256951" tabindex="0">Saturday; 377256952" tabindex="0">10 am ET on Premier League Extra Time)
If anybody in soccer could use a break, it's Guzan. The US goalkeeper is not only winless in four prior meetings with Howard, he's now up to 12 league games without a victory. As for the Everton backstop, he's dropped just one of his last nine against Villa and has not lost to them at home since 2008. Recovered Toffees star left back Leighton Baines is in the squad and could make his season debut.
DeAndre Yedlin
Sunderland at Crystal Palace (377256953" tabindex="0">Monday; 377256954" tabindex="0">3 pm ET on NBCSN)
Despite celebrating just one win since joining the Black Cats lineup, Yedlin's loan from Tottenham is going quite well. He should again take up the right back spot as the visitors tackle the surprising Eagles. Sunderland snapped a 34-year win drought at Crystal Palace early last season, and they could get midfielder Lee Cattermole back for this contest.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Fabian Johnson
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Hannover 96 (377256955" tabindex="0">Saturday; 377256956" tabindex="0">9:30 am ET on Fox Soccer 2GO)
The sixth-place Foals, who are unbeaten in seven league games and eight overall, could rise as high as third place with a win. The USMNT winger should remain on the left flank of 'Gladbach's empty bucket. Johnson has a goal and an assist in seven career games the Reds, and has been on the winning side four of the last five times. His team, meanwhile, have won four straight against Hannover by a combined 8-1 count.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya
Nantes at Monaco (377256957" tabindex="0">Saturday; 377256958" tabindex="0">2 pm ET on beIN SPORTS Connect)
The Canaries attacker is back in the selection after an extended illness. It seems unlikely Bedoya will start in his first time dressing for the club since September, and he's not enjoyed much luck against Monaco anyway. The American has one goal in four clashes, but Nantes lost them all. Nantes' last win in the principality came six season ago.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin vs. Hoffenheim (Sunday; 377256959" tabindex="0">9:30 am ET on FS1)
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, 377256960" tabindex="0">9:30 am ET on FS1)
Alfredo Morales – Ingolstadt vs. Darmstadt (Sunday, 377256961" tabindex="0">11:30 am ET on FS2)
Scotland (Championship):
Gedion Zelalam – Rangers at Livingston (Saturday, 377256962" tabindex="0">10 am ET)
