AMSTERDAM – While most European leagues are off for the holidays, the Premier League presses on, with Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore hoping to get back in the lineup for a visit to Cardiff.
All times listed in ET.
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland at Cardiff City (Saturday, 12:30 pm on NBC)
With just two days since their last match, the US top gun could return to a starting role when the Black Cats wage an early relegation derby in Wales. A win could see the visitors climb out of the drop zone. The teams have not met in the top flight since 1957, but Sunderland took two of three Championship clashes in Cardiff over the last decade. Altidore & Co. will be without key defender Wes Brown, while the Bluebirds are missing Craig Bellamy.
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Tottenham (Sunday, 11 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Though fellow countryman Brek Shea again appears to be just outside the selection, Cameron should retain his usual right back place. In his lone start against Spurs to date, the US international helped Stoke post a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane last season. Due to a Christmas day training injury, Potters netminder Asmir Begovic will be spelled by EPL veteran Thomas Sørensen. Meanwhile, the home side should count Moussa Dembélé, Aaron Lennon and Jan Vertonghen among their missing.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Swansea City (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Fresh off a Man of the Match display in a losing cause, Guzan will aim to halt a four-game Villans losing slide. Villa are also winless and goalless in the last three home games. Swansea have suffered shutout defeats in eight of their nine series visits to Birmingham. Each club will go without last season's top scorer; Christan Benrteke is out for the hosts, Michu for the Swans.
